Director of Logistics
6 days ago
Louisville
Job DescriptionDescription: At izzio Artisan Bakery, we believe great bread starts with great ingredients—and great people. As the #1 selling and fastest-growing sourdough brand, we craft our bread in small batches using time-honored techniques, simple ingredients, and a passion for quality. Naturally fermented and incredibly delicious, izzio is real artisan sourdough. Our team is at the heart of everything we do—and a key ingredient in our success. We are looking for a proven logistics and warehousing leader with experience in food manufacturing distribution. The ideal candidate is highly organized, data-driven, and capable of leading teams and partners to ensure safe, efficient, and on-time delivery of high-quality artisan bakery products. Position Summary The Director of Logistics is responsible for leading all warehousing, inventory control, and distribution activities for our artisan bread manufacturing operation. This role ensures timely, cost-effective, and food-safe movement of bakery products while maintaining quality, freshness, and regulatory compliance. The Director will design scalable logistics strategies that support growth, optimize service levels, and protect brand standards across retail, foodservice, and wholesale channels. Position Requirements Logistics & Distribution Strategy -Develop and execute logistics and warehousing strategies aligned with production schedules and customer delivery requirements, with a strong focus on freshness and shelf-life management. -Oversee inbound raw material logistics and outbound finished goods distribution. -Manage relationships with third-party logistics providers, carriers, and freight brokers to ensure reliable service and competitive cost structures. -Optimize routing, delivery frequency, and transportation modes to reduce costs while meeting strict on-time and in-full (OTIF) targets. Warehousing & Inventory Management -Lead warehouse operations, including finished goods, frozen storage, ingredients, and packaging materials. -Implement inventory control processes to minimize shrink, spoilage, and obsolescence, particularly for short-shelf-life products. -Establish FIFO/FEFO practices and inventory accuracy standards. -Ensure warehouse layouts, material flow, and storage conditions protect product quality and food safety. Food Safety, Quality & Compliance -Ensure full compliance with food safety regulations (FSMA, FDA, USDA as applicable), SQF standards, and internal quality programs. -Partner with Quality and Production teams to maintain proper temperature controls, sanitation, allergen segregation, and traceability. -Lead logistics-related recall and mock recall processes. Leadership & Team Development -Build, lead, and develop warehouse and logistics teams, including managers, supervisors, and hourly staff. -Establish performance metrics, training programs, and succession plans. -Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement. Continuous Improvement & Cost Management -Identify and implement process improvements using Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies. -Monitor and control logistics KPIs such as OTIF, freight cost per pound, inventory turns, spoilage, and labor productivity. -Manage the carrier bid process, including market analysis, RFP’s, rate negotiations, and contract execution to optimize transportation cost and service levels. -Develop and manage department budgets and capital planning for equipment, systems, and facility improvements. Systems & Technology -Leverage data and analytics to improve forecasting, capacity planning, and service performance. At izzio Artisan Bakery, we believe great bread starts with great ingredients—and great people. As the #1 selling and fastest-growing sourdough brand, we craft our bread in small batches using time-honored techniques, simple ingredients, and a passion for quality. Naturally fermented and incredibly delicious, izzio is real artisan sourdough. Our team is at the heart of everything we do—and a key ingredient in our success. At izzio Artisan Bakery, we believe great bread starts with great ingredients—and great people. As the #1 selling and fastest-growing sourdough brand, we craft our bread in small batches using time-honored techniques, simple ingredients, and a passion for quality. Naturally fermented and incredibly delicious, izzio is real artisan sourdough. Our team is at the heart of everything we do—and a key ingredient in our success. At izzio Artisan Bakery, we believe great bread starts with great ingredients—and great people. As the #1 selling and fastest-growing sourdough brand, we craft our bread in small batches using time-honored techniques, simple ingredients, and a passion for quality. Naturally fermented and incredibly delicious, izzio is real artisan sourdough. Our team is at the heart of everything we do—and a key ingredient in our success. At izzio Artisan Bakery, we believe great bread starts with great ingredients—and great people. As the #1 selling and fastest-growing sourdough brand, we craft our bread in small batches using time-honored techniques, simple ingredients, and a passion for quality. Naturally fermented and incredibly delicious, izzio is real artisan sourdough. Our team is at the heart of everything we do—and a key ingredient in our success. We are looking for a proven logistics and warehousing leader with experience in food manufacturing distribution. The ideal candidate is highly organized, data-driven, and capable of leading teams and partners to ensure safe, efficient, and on-time delivery of high-quality artisan bakery products. Position Summary The Director of Logistics is responsible for leading all warehousing, inventory control, and distribution activities for our artisan bread manufacturing operation. This role ensures timely, cost-effective, and food-safe movement of bakery products while maintaining quality, freshness, and regulatory compliance. The Director will design scalable logistics strategies that support growth, optimize service levels, and protect brand standards across all revenue channels. Essential Functions Logistics & Distribution Strategy • Develop and execute logistics and warehousing strategies aligned with production schedules and customer delivery requirements, with a strong focus on freshness and shelf-life management., • Oversee inbound raw material logistics and outbound finished goods distribution., • Manage relationships with third-party logistics providers, carriers, and freight brokers to ensure reliable service and competitive cost structures., • Lead warehouse operations, including finished goods, frozen storage, ingredients, and packaging materials., • Implement inventory control processes to minimize shrink, spoilage, and obsolescence, particularly for short-shelf-life products., • Establish FIFO/FEFO practices and inventory accuracy standards., • Ensure full compliance with food safety regulations (FSMA, FDA, USDA as applicable), SQF standards, and internal quality programs., • Partner with Quality and Production teams to maintain proper temperature controls, sanitation, allergen segregation, and traceability., • Build, lead, and develop warehouse and logistics teams, including managers, supervisors, and hourly staff., • Establish performance metrics, training programs, and succession plans., • Identify and implement process improvements using Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies., • Monitor and control logistics KPIs such as OTIF, freight cost per pound, inventory turns, spoilage, and labor productivity., • Manage the carrier bid process, including market analysis, RFP’s, rate negotiations, and contract execution to optimize transportation cost and service levels., • Bachelor’s degree in business management, or related field; or equivalent experience., • 8+ years of progressive leadership experience in logistics and warehousing, preferably in food or beverage manufacturing., • Strong understanding of fresh food distribution, cold chain management, and shelf-life constraints., • Proven experience managing 3PLs and transportation providers., • Knowledge of food safety regulations and GFSI standards., • Experience supporting multi-site or national distribution networks., • Ability to work in refrigerated and freezer environments., • Occasional travel to warehouses, distribution centers, and plant locations., • Critical Thinking - Demonstrates strong analytical and problem-solving abilities., • Strong Communication - Clear writing, internal and external communication abilities., • Organized & Detail-Oriented - Ability to juggle multiple projects and timelines efficiently., • Collaborative Mindset - Comfortable working with cross-functional teams., • Adaptability & Agility - Thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment. Reports to: COO Position Closing Date: 1/7/2026 Compensation is based on the level of experience, other relevant experience, and requirements of the position. The range provided serves only as a guideline and does not automatically qualify all candidates (internal or external) for the high end of the range. Base Salary Range: $120,000 to $140,000 At izzio, we believe great work starts with happy, supported people. That’s why we offer a comprehensive and thoughtful benefits package designed to help you thrive inside and outside of work. From competitive pay to career growth opportunities, we’re committed to supporting you. Our Benefits Include: • Compensation: Competitive base salaries (commensurate with experience) along with potential bonus program and other recognitions dependent upon role., • Health & Wellbeing: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance options to keep you and your family covered., • Financial Security: 401(k) with company match, life insurance, and long-term disability., • Work-Life Balance: Paid time off, paid holidays, and flexible scheduling where possible., • Growth & Development: We are committed to the growth of our employees by providing ongoing training, professional development opportunities, and pathways to advance your career., • Breadquarters Perks: Weekly take-home bread, because real sourdough bread is part of your life, not just your job. You’ll also enjoy the occasional team meal, first tastes of our innovation, and coffee is provided at the office.