Job Description
As the Associate Director of Fresh Distribution Centre (DC) Operations, you will spearhead the operational strategy and physical execution for our omni-channel fresh supply chain network. You will orchestrate end-to-end multi-temperature DC operations servicing both B2B (retail stores) and B2C (direct-to-consumer e-commerce), govern external labor and vendor ecosystems, and drive continuous improvement to ensure maximum efficiency, strict shrinkage control, and exceptional service delivery.
Strategic Leadership & Financial Management
- Direct multi-temperature, omni-channel operations: Command overarching operations across chilled, frozen, ambient, and air-conditioned zones to ensure tight alignment with corporate strategy and the distinct business objectives of both retail and e-commerce channels.
- Own operational budgeting: Prepare financial schedules and optimize cost structures, aiming to steadily reduce per-unit warehousing and logistics costs across diverse order profiles
- Drive critical KPIs: Take ultimate accountability for core metrics including Service level, Freshness to customer, Inventory Management and the strict minimization of shrinkage and spoilage.
Omni-Channel Distribution & Inventory Excellence
- Master dual-fulfillment complexities: Seamlessly manage the divergent operational flows of bulk B2B store replenishment and high-volume, piece-pick B2C e-commerce orders, ensuring high accuracy and rapid turnaround for both channels.
- Command daily Fresh DC execution: Oversee the end-to-end flow of receiving, quality inspection, processing, sorting, and dispatching to downstream stores, front-warehouses, and end-consumers.
- Optimise perishable inventory: Implement robust shelf-life management and temperature control frameworks to protect fulfillment rates while minimizing operational and structural loss.
- Govern external ecosystems: Direct 3PLs and manage large outsourced labor teams, ensuring rigorous SLA compliance, flexible workforce scheduling, and high-quality output.
Automation, Hands-on Leadership & Process Optimization
- Drive B2B & B2C automation strategies: Spearhead the design, implementation, and continuous optimization of warehouse automation equipment. You will adapt technologies specifically for B2B bulk handling (e.g., pallet AGVs, automated storage) and B2C e-commerce velocity (e.g., goods-to-person picking, automated packaging, high-speed sortation lines..).
- System integration: Push the deep application and integration of WMS, WCS, and TMS to fluidly manage the routing and logic between retail and direct-to-consumer inventory.
- Lead from the front: Demonstrate the capability to directly take over floor scheduling in high-pressure scenarios such as e-commerce mega-sales, equipment failures, or cold room bottlenecks.
- Spearhead operational excellence: Conduct on-ground Gemba walks to proactively identify micro-process bottlenecks and implement rapid solutions.
Safety, Food Quality & Compliance
- Embed strict food safety: Establish and closely monitor full-process cold chain temperature controls to eliminate food safety risks and enforce zero-harm workplace safety.
- Champion Quality Management: Actively govern the intake standards of non-standard fresh items like produce and meat, directly auditing yield rates, processing quality, and packaging SOPs.
People & Team Leadership
- Cultivate a high-performing workforce: Allocate resources dynamically across internal staff and large outsourced teams (managing a scale of 200 to 800 personnel) to meet shifting operational goals across different fulfillment channels.
- Provide grounded mentorship: Develop future supply chain leaders while maintaining the ability to communicate directly and effectively with frontline warehouse and processing staff to boost morale and resolve conflicts.
Job Requirements
Relevant Knowledge and Experience
- Bachelor's Degree or equivalent in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Food Engineering, or Business Administration.
- 8 to 15 years of relevant logistics management experience, with at least 5 years leading a large-scale Fresh Distribution Centre (e.g., over 15,000 sqm footprint or massive daily throughput).
- Proven track record in Omni-Channel / E-commerce Fulfillment: Deep operational understanding of managing dual B2B and B2C supply chains, with extensive hands-on experience deploying and optimizing warehouse automation technologies tailored to both operating models.
- In-depth expertise in multi-temperature zone operations and the storage, handling, and processing characteristics of fresh perishables including fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, and seafood.
- Strong proficiency in WMS/ERP systems and operational data analysis to quickly identify on-floor bottlenecks and implement immediate optimization strategies.
- Proven hands-on leadership capability, comfortable operating in high-intensity environments, and experienced in managing large-scale frontline labor disputes or shortages.
