Director of Supply Chain Operations

Job Overview

The Director of Supply Chain is a strategic leadership role responsible for the end-to-end supply chain strategy and execution across sourcing, procurement, logistics, and warehouse operations for a national network of over 1,200 sushi and fresh-cut fruit retail locations across the United States.

This role requires deep expertise in sushi, seafood, and frozen, perishable, and non-perishable food supply chains, with responsibility for sourcing high-quality ingredients, packaging, and products through a centralized distribution model. The Director is responsible for ensuring a consistent, cost-effective, and scalable supply chain across global and domestic suppliers serving all retail locations.

The position has full accountability for the entire supply chain lifecycle—from strategic sourcing and supplier partnerships to inventory planning, 3PL management, and final distribution to stores—while ensuring food safety, regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

· End-to-End Supply Chain Leadership

        o Develop and execute a fully integrated supply chain strategy covering sourcing, procurement, logistics, warehousing, and distribution. 

        o Ensure seamless product flow from global and domestic suppliers through centralized warehouse operations to 1,200+ retail locations.

        o Lead just-in-time (JIT) inventory strategies to balance product freshness, availability, and working capital.

· Strategic Sourcing (Sushi, Seafood & Frozen Foods)

• Lead sourcing strategies for: 
  • Frozen seafood and protein categories 
  • Sushi ingredients (rice, nori, sauces, etc.) 
  • Japanese and Asian frozen value-added products 
  • Packaging and labeling (sushi and fresh-cut fruit programs)
  • Distribution-related supplies. 
• Build and manage global supplier networks, with a focus on Asia and South America. 
• Ensure consistent product quality, food safety, and supply continuity. 
• Identify and execute cost savings opportunities while maintaining quality standards. 

· Procurement & Vendor Management

       o Oversee all procurement activities, including: 

                 - Vendor selection, onboarding, and qualification

                 - Contract negotiation and pricing strategies

                 - Supplier performance management (KPIs, SLAs) 

       o Establish and maintain long-term strategic partnerships.

       o Ensure full compliance with contractual, regulatory, and quality requirements.

· Logistics, Distribution & 3PL Management

o Manage third-party logistics (3PL) providers and warehouse partners. 

o Optimize inbound and outbound logistics to support a national, multi-state distribution network. 

o Ensure cold chain integrity, freight efficiency, and service reliability. 

o Oversee distribution planning and execution for all locations.

· Warehouse & Inventory Management

o Define and execute warehouse strategy, including:

               - Inventory control and accuracy

               - Cold storage optimization (frozen and refrigerated)

               - Product flow and throughput efficiency

o Implement and enhance warehouse management systems (WMS).

o Maintain optimal inventory levels to minimize waste and prevent stockouts.

o Oversee operations, efficiencies and contingency planning.

· Demand Planning & Cross-Functional Alignment

o Partner with Operations, Merchandising, R&D, Finance, QA/Food Safety, and Franchise Support teams. 

o Drive accurate forecasting and demand planning processes. 

o Support new product launches, promotions, and expansion initiatives.

· Cost Management & Financial Performance

o Own the supply chain budget and overall cost structure. 

o Analyze commodity markets (especially seafood), freight costs, and supplier pricing. 

o Drive continuous cost optimization and margin improvement initiatives.

· Compliance, Food Safety & Risk Management

o Ensure compliance with FDA, USDA, and applicable local and international regulations. 

o Maintain adherence to food safety standards (e.g., HACCP, cold chain requirements). 

o Develop and implement risk mitigation strategies related to: 

               - Supply disruptions 

               - Import/export challenges 

               - Perishable product handling

· Systems, Process Excellence & Analytics

o Optimize and advance the current ERP environment (e.g., NetSuite) to fully support end-to-end supply chain visibility.

o Enhance integrated procurement and inventory management tools to streamline national distribution.

o Drive operational efficiency by reducing PO cycle times and improving real-time data accuracy.

o Leverage advanced analytics to support data-driven decision-making and continuous process improvement.

· Leadership & Team Development

o Lead and develop teams across: 

              - Sourcing & Procurement 

              - Logistics & Distribution 

              - Inventory & Warehouse Operations 

o Build a high-performing, scalable organization with strong accountability. 

o Promote a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Direct oversight of supply chain, procurement, logistics, and warehouse teams. 
• Responsible for hiring, training, performance management, and team development. 
• Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure alignment across departments. 

Core Competencies

• Expertise in strategic sourcing and procurement 
• Deep knowledge of cold chain logistics and perishable supply chains 
• Advanced negotiation and supplier management capabilities 
• Strong financial and analytical acumen 
• Leadership, organizational, and execution excellence 
• Data-driven decision-making mindset 
• Proficiency with ERP systems and supply chain analytics tools 
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills

Required Skills/Abilities

• Demonstrated expertise in strategic sourcing and procurement best practices.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel, PowerPoint) and procurement management software.
• Deep knowledge of supply chain, vendor management, and distribution compliance standards.
• Experience developing and implementing procurement policies and process improvements.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or related field (required)
• MBA or advanced degree (preferred)
• 8–10+ years of progressive supply chain experience
• 5+ years in a senior leadership role
• Experience in food service, seafood, or franchised multi-unit operations strongly preferred
• Proven experience managing national or multi-state supply chain networks

Physical Requirements:

•  Ability to work long hours as needed.
•  Willingness to travel to supplier sites, warehouses, and distribution centers.

Work Environment:

•  Office environment with regular on-site visits to warehouses and distribution centers.
•  Regular interaction with various levels of management, external partners, and vendors.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified candidates will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Other Duties:

This job description is not exhaustive. The role may evolve, and additional responsibilities may be assigned as the department and company adapt to changing needs and market conditions.