Director of Inbound Receiving

The Director of Inbound Receiving - Distribution is accountable for the strategic leadership, performance, and scalability of high-volume inbound receiving operations across the distribution network. This role oversees the safe, compliant, and efficient receipt of product from global and domestic supply chains, operating in environments that process 70-100+ containers per day.

This leader establishes standardized inbound operating frameworks, ensures alignment with Supply Chain and Transportation partners, and drives disciplined execution through Milwaukee Tool leaders and approved third-party providers-without assuming direct supervision of non-Milwaukee Tool employees. The role is critical to enabling growth, protecting inventory integrity, and supporting automation and network expansion, while reinforcing Milwaukee Tool culture pillars such as Extreme Ownership, One Team Mentality, Relentless Improvement, and Speed, Agility & Urgency.

You'll be DISRUPTIVE through these duties and responsibilities:

Inbound Receiving Strategy & Operations

• Provide strategic direction and operational governance for inbound receiving operations processing 70-100+ containers per day across multiple shifts and facilities.
• Establish and maintain standardized inbound playbooks for dock scheduling, container unloading, staging, verification, and system receipt.
• Optimize dock-to-stock cycle time, yard flow, dock utilization, and labor deployment while balancing inbound volume with downstream capacity.
• Ensure inbound execution supports network service levels, inventory health, and outbound commitments.

• Cost and overtime efficiency

Key Performance Indicators

• Containers received per day / per shift
• Dock-to-stock cycle time
• Inbound productivity and throughput
• Inventory accuracy at receipt
• Safety incident rate
• Supplier, carrier, and 3PL compliance

Safety, Compliance & Risk Management

• Own safety outcomes for inbound operations, ensuring compliance with OSHA and internal safety standards.
• Identify and mitigate operational, labor, and compliance risks associated with high-volume container activity.
• Ensure safe material handling practices and equipment usage to reduce incidents and product damage.

Process Optimization & Automation Integration

• Lead inbound process design and continuous improvement initiatives to increase unload rates, reduce dwell time, and improve labor efficiency.
• Collaborate with Engineering and Automation teams to integrate mechanization, robotics, conveyance, and scanning technologies into inbound workflows.
• Apply Lean, Six Sigma, and structured problem-solving methodologies to deliver sustainable results.

Inventory Accuracy, Systems & Data

• Ensure accurate and timely system receipt through enterprise WMS/ERP platforms (e.g., Oracle, Manhattan, SAP).
• Partner with Inventory Control & Supply Chain to reduce shortages, damages, and aged receipts using root-cause analysis and corrective action.
• Leverage KPIs, dashboards, and OBEYA-style visual management to drive performance transparency.

Leadership, Culture & Talent Development

• Lead, develop, and inspire Milwaukee Tool inbound leadership teams (Group Managers, Sr. Managers, Managers, Supervisors).
• Establish clear spans of control, leadership routines, and succession pipelines to support 24/7 operations.
• Reinforce accountability, safety, and continuous improvement through visible leadership and disciplined operating mechanisms.

• Anticipate and mitigate volatility associated with global freight variability, weather events, port disruptions, and supplier non-compliance.
• Ensure inbound operations remain safe, compliant, and predictable during periods of extreme volume fluctuation.
• Peak, Surge & Volatility Management

• Lead inbound readiness for peak seasons, promotions, launches, and unplanned volume surges.
• Develop scalable surge plans addressing labor flexing, extended operating hours, dock reallocation, and throughput recovery.

Decision Rights & Operating Governance

• Own inbound execution decisions, including dock strategy, unload sequencing, labor deployment, and receipt prioritization.
• Influence upstream decisions related to routing, delivery cadence, and freight prioritization in partnership with Supply Chain and Transportation.
• Escalate capacity risks, volume mismatches, or service threats with data-backed recommendations and mitigation plans.
• Establish clear governance and performance expectations for suppliers, carriers, ports, rail providers, and 3PL partners through SLAs and scorecards-without directing day-to-day work of third-party labor.

Supply Chain & Transportation Collaboration

• Partner closely with Supply Chain Planning, Global Supply Chain, and Transportation teams to align inbound volume forecasts, container flow, and dock capacity.
• Collaborate with Transportation leaders and external carriers to optimize appointment scheduling, yard strategy, container sequencing, and dwell time reduction.
• Participate in S&OP / IBP forums and peak readiness planning to ensure inbound capacity scales with demand.
• Serve as a key operational voice in addressing upstream constraints, port congestion, carrier variability, and transportation disruptions impacting inbound execution.

The TOOLS you'll bring with you:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, or related field (Master's preferred).
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in distribution or supply chain operations.
• Proven experience leading inbound receiving operations processing 70-100+ containers per day.
• Demonstrated success leading multi-shift, multi-layer teams in high-volume environments.
• Strong working knowledge of WMS/ERP systems and inbound logistics technology.
• Data-driven decision-making capability with experience using KPIs and continuous improvement tools.

Other TOOLS we prefer you to have:

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in highly automated or semi-automated distribution centers.
• Network-level or multi-site inbound oversight.
• Exposure to global freight, port operations, and container optimization strategies.

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic & Systems Thinking
• Operational Excellence & Execution
• Change Leadership
• Cross-Functional Influence
• Talent Development & Succession
• Risk Awareness & Sound Judgment
• • Lean Six Sigma certification (Black Belt preferred).

We provide these great perks and benefits:

• Robust health, dental and vision insurance plans

• Generous 401 (K) savings plan

• Education assistance

• On-site wellness, fitness center, food, and coffee service

• And many more, check out our benefits siteHERE.