Director of Operations in Elkridge, Maryland at PLANET AID INC

The Director of Operations is a critical leadership role focused on managing the end-to-end supply chain of secondhand garments, from collection, processing and sorting to resale and export.

The Director of Operations drives profit & loss, efficiency, safety, regulatory compliance, and performance by overseeing daily business activities, budgeting, key performance indicators (KPIs) and strategic planning to achieve company goals.

The Director of Operations leads three teams:

• Transportation department – collects donated clothing and shoes throughout the DMV area
• Processing and warehouse – processes 10,000 tons of used clothing and shoes annually
• Site acquisition and customer service – maintains 1,500 collection sites in the DMV area

The Director of Operations reports to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and collaborates across departments like HR, finance, and sales.

Key Responsibilities

• Operational Oversight: Managing day-to-day operations, including receiving donations, sorting, grading, and processing, to ensure consistent throughput and quality.
• Logistics & Distribution: Coordinating the movement of materials from collection points (bins, trailers) to processing centers and distributing sorted items to thrift stores or export markets.
• Process Improvement: Utilizing lean manufacturing principles (e.g., Six Sigma, Kaizen) to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and optimize inventory turnover.
• Team Leadership: Hiring, training, mentoring, and developing junior managers and large production teams with 40+ associates.
• Safety & Compliance: Ensuring all warehouse and sorting activities meet safety standards and compliance regulations.

• Experience: 7-10 years of experience in logistics, warehousing, retail, or production environments, with 5+ years in a senior leadership role.
• Operational Knowledge: Proven experience in supply chain, inventory management, and process improvement.
• Analytical Skills: Ability to analyze data to drive decision-making and manage budgets.
• Interpersonal Skills: Strong leadership, communication, and coaching abilities to manage diverse, high-volume teams.
• Physical Requirements: Ability to work in a warehouse setting, which may involve standing for long period and lifting heavy materials.

We offer a competitive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; life and AD&D coverage; generous paid vacation and sick time; paid holidays; and a 401(k)-retirement savings plan.