Senior Director - Logistics, Unilever Prestige

Unilever Prestige is the Luxury Beauty division of Unilever that holds nine companies/brands: Dermalogica, Kate Somerville, Murad, Living Proof, Hourglass, Tatcha, Paula’s Choice, Ren and Garancia. The businesses have a global footprint, are omni-channel in nature and with a heavy index to e-commerce and direct to consumer offerings. Our brands blend luxury physical in-store experiences with digitalized e-commerce offerings including digital technologies embedded within product offerings. It operates a unique organizational model that places high emphasis on independence, entrepreneurship, and speed, all rooted in individual breadth and depth of capability. The division is one of Unilever’s key strategic bets and has seen consistent double-digit growth through both organic and M&A growth.

The Opportunity:

This role will focus on assessing our current infrastructure, leading RFPs for future sites, and managing the migration to a future-ready distribution model. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in strategic planning, project management, and network optimization within the logistics and warehousing sector, with a focus on large-scale transformation initiatives. This role will work to build the medium-long term network fulfillment strategy as well as lead cross-Brand network change initiatives with a heavy focus on the US, our largest market. You will have the opportunity to contribute alongside a team of Brand logistics experts to deliver solutions that create scale and agility for our fast growing portfolio.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Network Assessment & Strategy Development:

• Conduct a comprehensive review of the current distribution network, identifying areas for improvement, efficiency, and scalability.
• Develop a long-term transformation strategy that aligns with Unilever Prestige’s growth objectives and sustainability goals.
• Lead feasibility studies, including cost-benefit analysis and ROI assessments for proposed changes.

RFP Management:

• Initiate and oversee RFP processes for new distribution centers and 3PL partnerships, from drafting requirements to final vendor selection.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to define project goals, timelines, and resource needs for RFP initiatives.
• Evaluate proposals with a focus on innovation, cost optimization, and alignment with business objectives.

Project Leadership & Migration Execution:

• Design and implement a phased migration plan to transition from the current network to the future-state model.
• Manage cross-functional project teams, ensuring key milestones are met and that all stakeholders are aligned on project deliverables.
• Oversee budget management for network transformation projects, ensuring costs are in line with approved forecasts.

Change Management & Stakeholder Engagement:

• Lead change management initiatives to ensure a smooth transition, including communication plans, training, and support for impacted teams.
• Collaborate closely with the Warehouse and Logistics Director and other senior leaders to integrate transformation plans with existing operations.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for senior leadership regarding transformation progress, challenges, and successes.

Performance Metrics & Continuous Improvement:

• Define and track KPIs to measure the success of the transformation strategy, focusing on efficiency, cost savings, and service improvements.
• Identify and incorporate industry best practices into the transformation strategy, keeping Unilever Prestige at the forefront of distribution and logistics innovation.
• Establish a framework for continuous improvement that supports future enhancements beyond the initial transformation.

Coverage for West Coast Hub:

• Through June 2025, this role will also be required to provide interim oversight and coverage of the West Coast Hub.
• Responsibilities will include: Leading the cross-Brand relationship with the 3PL, Collaborating with 3PL to manage delivery of monthly operations and ongoing improvement projects, and managing escalations through to resolution.

What we are looking for:

Experience:

• 10+ years in supply chain management, logistics, or distribution, with expertise in network design, large-scale transformations, and large scale project execution.
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business, or related field.
• Proven success in leading RFP processes, managing 3PL partnerships, and implementing distribution strategies.
• Strong understanding of freight and warehousing cost benchmarks, as well as the vendor landscape.
• Experience in beauty/personal care preferred.
• Experience in direct-to-consumer fulfillment preferred.

Skills and Expertise:

• Strategic thinker and thought leader on innovative warehousing and logistics solutions.
• Advanced proficiency in MS Office, particularly Excel, and familiarity with WMS and related technologies.
• Ability to leverage technology to enhance distribution efficiency and visibility.
• Strong financial acumen, including cost-benefit analysis, ROI assessment, and budget management.
• Skilled in problem-solving and optimizing distribution processes, even without direct authority over teams.
• Strong project management skills and ability to manage changing priorities.
• Proficiency in supply chain software and tools, including ERP and WMS systems.

Leadership and Communication:

• Excellent communication, influencing, and persuasion skills across all organizational levels.
• Proven ability to navigate and succeed within a matrix organization.

Additional Requirements:

• Must be able to travel regularly to distribution centers and 3PL sites.
• Must be comfortable working across time zones, with a preference for the West Coast (Los Angeles area).

What We Offer:

• Unlimited Paid Time Off
• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• FSA/HSA
• Life/Accident Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Professional Development Resources
• 401(k) Employer Match Program