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Gardner White Furniture & Mattress

Vice President Operations

Gardner White Furniture & Mattress, Shelbina, Missouri, United States

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The Vice President of Operations is a key member of the senior leadership team and serves as the second-in-command to the EVP of Operations. This role is responsible for leading and optimizing end-to-end warehouse and delivery operations, driving operational excellence across the organization, and embedding Lean principles into the culture. The VP will partner closely with the Supply Chain team to ensure efficiency, scalability, and continuous improvement throughout all operational areas.

Job Responsibilities:

Serve as the strategic and operational right hand to the EVP of Operations, driving alignment between company goals and operational execution.

Lead and supervise all functions within the Operations department, including Warehouse Operations, Delivery Operations, and Process Optimization.

Develop, communicate, and execute operational strategies that support scalability, profitability, and customer satisfaction.

Act as a visible leader across warehouse, delivery, and customer experience teams, fostering accountability, consistency, and a culture of operational discipline.

Build a leadership pipeline by coaching and developing high-performing managers and supervisors across all operational functions.

Oversee the implementation of company Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) throughout the entire operations lifecycle, ensuring compliance, consistency, and excellence in execution.

Furniture-Specific Operational Excellence:

Ensure the safe, efficient, and accurate handling of high-value, large-scale furniture products across warehouse and delivery operations.

Oversee storage optimization, packaging integrity, staging, and loading processes to minimize product damage and maximize throughput.

Lead initiatives to improve white-glove delivery execution and in-home service standards, ensuring the brand’s reputation for quality and care is consistently upheld.

Partner with merchandising, sales, and customer service to ensure flawless coordination of order fulfillment, returns, and customer satisfaction.

Continuously refine space planning and inventory flow strategies to meet the unique needs of bulky product logistics and seasonal furniture demand.

Operations Management:

Monitor and drive performance across warehouse and delivery operations through KPIs, dashboards, and on-site leadership.

Implement Lean and Six Sigma principles to eliminate waste, increase throughput, and improve service levels.

Collaborate cross-functionally with IT, HR, Finance, and Supply Chain to align systems, resources, and people processes with operational needs.

Manage labor utilization, fleet performance, and operational costs to achieve budgetary and service goals.

Ensure compliance with safety standards, DOT regulations, and company policies.

Collaboration with Supply Chain:

Partner with Supply Chain leadership to develop procurement, inventory, and logistics strategies that optimize cost, service, and quality.

Support vendor and carrier relationship development to ensure timely, damage-free delivery and consistent performance.

Collaborate on demand planning, warehouse replenishment, and inventory forecasting to support business growth and promotional cycles.

Utilize analytics and technology to enhance transparency, predictive planning, and operational decision-making.

Champion continuous improvement and Lean transformation across all operational areas.

Implement structured problem-solving, root cause analysis, and visual management practices.

Train and mentor operational leaders and associates in Lean principles, instilling a mindset of ongoing improvement and operational rigor.

Drive initiatives that enhance safety, product quality, customer experience, and overall operational efficiency.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Directly oversees the full Operations Department, including Warehouse Operations, Delivery Operations, and Process Optimization.

Provides leadership to managers, supervisors, and support teams to ensure execution of company SOPs and attainment of departmental goals.

Establishes clear accountability, performance metrics, and succession planning for all direct and indirect reports.

This job operates in the corporate setting as well as the retail store and warehouse settings.

Requirements Summary:

The Vice President of Operations is a key member of the senior leadership team and serves as the second-in-command to the EVP of Operations. This role is responsible for leading and optimizing end-to-end warehouse and delivery operations, driving operational excellence across the organization, and embedding Lean principles into the culture. The VP will partner closely with the Supply Chain team to ensure efficiency, scalability, and continuous improvement throughout all operational areas.

Job Responsibilities: Leadership & Strategy

Serve as the strategic and operational right hand to the EVP of Operations, driving alignment between company goals and operational execution.

Lead and supervise all functions within the Operations department, including Warehouse Operations, Delivery Operations, and Process Optimization.

Develop, communicate, and execute operational strategies that support scalability, profitability, and customer satisfaction.

Act as a visible leader across warehouse, delivery, and customer experience teams, fostering accountability, consistency, and a culture of operational discipline.

Build a leadership pipeline by coaching and developing high-performing managers and supervisors across all operational functions.

Oversee the implementation of company Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) throughout the entire operations lifecycle, ensuring compliance, consistency, and excellence in execution.

Furniture-Specific Operational Excellence

Ensure the safe, efficient, and accurate handling of high-value, large-scale furniture products across warehouse and delivery operations.

Oversee storage optimization, packaging integrity, staging, and loading processes to minimize product damage and maximize throughput.

Lead initiatives to improve white-glove delivery execution and in-home service standards, ensuring the brand’s reputation for quality and care is consistently upheld.

Partner with merchandising, sales, and customer service to ensure flawless coordination of order fulfillment, returns, and customer satisfaction.

Continuously refine space planning and inventory flow strategies to meet the unique needs of bulky product logistics and seasonal furniture demand.

Operations Management

Monitor and drive performance across warehouse and delivery operations through KPIs, dashboards, and on-site leadership.

Implement Lean and Six Sigma principles to eliminate waste, increase throughput, and improve service levels.

Collaborate cross-functionally with IT, HR, Finance, and Supply Chain to align systems, resources, and people processes with operational needs.

Manage labor utilization, fleet performance, and operational costs to achieve budgetary and service goals.

Ensure compliance with safety standards, DOT regulations, and company policies.

Collaboration with Supply Chain

Partner with Supply Chain leadership to develop procurement, inventory, and logistics strategies that optimize cost, service, and quality.

Support vendor and carrier relationship development to ensure timely, damage-free delivery and consistent performance.

Collaborate on demand planning, warehouse replenishment, and inventory forecasting to support business growth and promotional cycles.

Utilize analytics and technology to enhance transparency, predictive planning, and operational decision-making.

Continuous Improvement & Lean Implementation

Champion continuous improvement and Lean transformation across all operational areas.

Implement structured problem-solving, root cause analysis, and visual management practices.

Train and mentor operational leaders and associates in Lean principles, instilling a mindset of ongoing improvement and operational rigor.

Drive initiatives that enhance safety, product quality, customer experience, and overall operational efficiency.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Directly oversees the full Operations Department, including Warehouse Operations, Delivery Operations, and Process Optimization.

Provides leadership to managers, supervisors, and support teams to ensure execution of company SOPs and attainment of departmental goals.

Establishes clear accountability, performance metrics, and succession planning for all direct and indirect reports.

Work Environment: This job operates in the corporate setting as well as the retail store and warehouse settings.

Qualifications needed to perform this position:

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, or related field; MBA preferred.

10+ years of progressive experience in operations, with at least 5 years in a leadership role within a furniture, retail, or logistics environment.

SAP experience preferred.

Proven success leading multi-site warehouse and delivery operations in a high-growth or fast-paced setting.

Strong background in Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies.

Exceptional communication, leadership, and organizational skills.

High sense of urgency, hands‑on leadership style, and ability to thrive in a dynamic environment.

Key Competencies

Strategic leader with a hands‑on, operational mindset.

Strong process orientation with a track record of improving efficiency and effectiveness.

Data‑driven decision‑maker with the ability to balance cost, service, and quality.

Change agent with the ability to introduce Lean and drive cultural transformation.

Collaborative partner with excellent problem‑solving and execution skills.

Travel: This role will require travel as needed.

Physical Requirements:

Occasional standing and walking; Ability to lift‑up to 100 pounds.

Frequent talking and hearing; Usage of hands and fingers.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: This is a full‑time position typically scheduled Monday through Friday, with occasional evening and weekend availability as required by business demands.

Seniority level Executive

Employment type Full‑time

Job function Management and Manufacturing

Industries Furniture and Home Furnishings Manufacturing

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