Senior Director, Process Improvement - Operational Excellence (Fulfillment & Reverse Network)

Job Posting Title: Senior Director, Process Improvement - Operational Excellence (Fulfillment & Reverse Network) Job Summary: As the Senior Director of Operational Excellence for the Fulfillment & Reverse Network, you will act as the architect and strategic lead for network-wide performance improvement, standardization, and capability building across Walmart’s entire fulfillment network. This role leads the overarching transformation from a traditional, localized site-by-site support model to a highly integrated, network-scaled Cluster Operating Model. You will oversee a dual-engine organizational structure consisting of Cluster Champions (Directors of Operational Excellence leading Next Gen, HVFC, Schaefer, Non-Sort w/ MHE, Non-Sort w/o MHE & Hybrids, Sam’s Club, and Reverse) and two key Centers of Excellence (COEs): Operational Standards and Onboarding & Training. Your mission is to eliminate operational variability, drive relentless execution of the Continuous Improvement (CI) Cycle (Define, Enable, Deploy, Sustain, Improve), optimize Cost-Per-Carton/Unit (CCPU) goals, and ensure 100% adherence to process standards across all nodes. Job Posting Description: Position Summary... As the Senior Director of Operational Excellence for the Fulfillment & Reverse Network, you will act as the architect and strategic lead for network-wide performance improvement, standardization, and capability building across Walmart’s entire fulfillment network. This role leads the overarching transformation from a traditional, localized site-by-site support model to a highly integrated, network-scaled Cluster Operating Model. You will oversee a dual-engine organizational structure consisting of Cluster Champions (Directors of Operational Excellence leading Next Gen, HVFC, Schaefer, Non-Sort w/ MHE, Non-Sort w/o MHE & Hybrids, Sam’s Club, and Reverse) and two key Centers of Excellence (COEs): Operational Standards and Onboarding & Training. Your mission is to eliminate operational variability, drive relentless execution of the Continuous Improvement (CI) Cycle (Define, Enable, Deploy, Sustain, Improve), optimize Cost-Per-Carton/Unit (CCPU) goals, and ensure 100% adherence to process standards across all nodes. What you'll do... Organizational Architecture: You will lead, align, and empower a high-caliber leadership team designed to drive network performance: (7+ Direct Reports — Directors of OpEx): • Next Gen Cluster (e.g., ORD1, IND3, DFW5, PHL5, SMF2) • Schaefer Cluster (e.g., MCO1, ATL1, PHL1, LAX1) • HVFC Cluster (e.g., NJ3, KY1, MEM1, CLT1, DFW6, NV1, PHX1) • Non-Sort w/ MHE Cluster (ICC & 2-Tier nodes) • Non-Sort w/o MHE & Hybrids Cluster (e.g., MCI1, ATL3, PHL4, PHL2, DFW2, MCO2, CVG1) • Sam's Club Cluster (e.g., LAX3, DFW3, CMH, ATL4, LUM, TPA) • Reverse Cluster (e.g., Waco, Spartanburg, Greenfield) Operational Standards Center of Excellence (COE Leader): Focused on Rollout Governance, Change Management, Platform Optimization, Standardized Tools, Risk Identification, Digital Automation, and AI Enablement & Efficacy. Onboarding & Training Center of Excellence (COE Leader): Focused on Salaried Leadership Onboarding, Hourly Associate Training Pathways, Cross-Training Strategies, Productivity Enablement, and Talent Acceleration. Key Responsibilities & Deliverables: Cluster Strategy & Network Performance (The 'Big Shift') Drive Network Scale: Transition the network from site-level variation to a coordinated cluster network. Enable rapid identification of performance gaps and scale best practices across similar sites. Unified Field Leadership: Align field teams (SCILs, IMs, and CSDs) under unified cluster priorities to eliminate overlapping responsibilities, vague handoffs, and siloed execution. Site and Cluster Accountability: Partner with GM and AGM teams to ensure sites meet their Annual Operating Plan (AOP), CCPU targets, and deliver annual project savings goals. Execution of the Continuous Improvement Cycle: Champion and enforce the five-step CI Cycle across the network, ensuring crystal-clear task ownership and zero ambiguity: Define (Standardization): Author and document clear, measurable standards establishing the 'one right way' to perform work across the network. Enable (Training): Translate standards into standardized tools, training programs, and capabilities for easy frontline adoption. Deploy (Change Management): Drive seamless change management plans, site readiness, User Acceptance Testing (UAT), and structured communication loops. Sustain (Audit & Adherence): Monitor and sustain compliance using structured compliance frameworks, Leader Standard Work (LSW), and risk identification models. Improve (Process Improvement): Utilize performance data, trend analysis, Root Cause Analysis (RCA), and top-loss analyses to adjust standards and close performance gaps. Leadership of Centers of Excellence (COEs): Operational Standards COE: Establish strict rollout governance and deployment standards for predictable program rollouts. Accelerate digital automation and AI enablement to reduce manual, fragmented floor processes. Onboarding & Training COE: Govern the structured 6-week network-wide onboarding program for salaried leaders. Direct hourly associate onboarding pathways to reduce early (0–90 day) turnover, maximize learning curves (90% AALC target), and champion cross-training strategies (85% of associates cross-trained in 2+ paths). Site-Level Operating Engine: You will govern the performance and standards executed on the floor by three critical, specialized roles: Supply Chain Improvement Leads (SCILs): Focused on business change, data analysis, Gemba, and project savings. Implementation Managers (IMs): Focused on change adoption, process standards compliance, and auditing. Continuous Skills Development (CSD) Leads: Focused on safety-first onboarding, training delivery, and skills validation. What you’ll Bring… Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business Administration, or a highly quantitative field. Experience: 10+ years of progressive leadership in manufacturing, high-volume logistics, or multi-site supply chain environments. Transformational Leadership: Proven experience managing large-scale organizational redesigns or transitioning multi-site organizations to centralized/regional models. Continuous Improvement Expertise: Demonstrated mastery of Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies (LSS Master Black Belt preferred). Executive Presence & Change Leadership: Outstanding verbal and written communication skills with the ability to influence VPs, Regional General Managers, and HR partners. Analytical & Financial Acumen: Exceptional data-driven decision-making capability. Expert in dissecting complex operating metrics (CCPU, AOP, throughput, and yield). Tech & Automation Catalyst: Experience deploying and scaling warehouse technologies, warehouse management systems (WMS), digital workflows, or AI/automation initiatives. People & Capability Builder: Strong focus on building talent benches, coaching leaders, and standardizing curriculum-based learning. Why This Role Matters: Walmart's Fulfillment & Reverse Network is undergoing a critical evolution to power the next generation of omnichannel retail. As the Senior Director of Operational Excellence, you are not just maintaining the standard; you are writing the playbook, training the leaders, and defining the future of how Walmart executes on its promise to save customers money so they can live better. At Walmart, we offer competitive pay as well as performance-based bonus awards and other great benefits for a happier mind, body, and wallet. Health benefits include medical, vision and dental coverage. Financial benefits include 401(k), stock purchase and company-paid life insurance. Paid time off benefits include PTO (including sick leave), parental leave, family care leave, bereavement, jury duty, and voting. Other benefits include short-term and long-term disability, company discounts, Military Leave Pay, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, and more. You will also receive PTO and/or PPTO that can be used for vacation, sick leave, holidays, or other purposes. The amount you receive depends on your job classification and length of employment. It will meet or exceed the requirements of paid sick leave laws, where applicable. For information about PTO, see https://one.walmart.com/notices. Live Better U is a Walmart-paid education benefit program for full-time and part-time associates in Walmart and Sam's Club facilities. Programs range from high school completion to bachelor's degrees, including English Language Learning and short-form certificates. Tuition, books, and fees are completely paid for by Walmart. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to a specific plan or program terms. For information about benefits and eligibility, see One.Walmart. The annual salary range for this position is $130,000.00 - $260,000.00 Additional compensation includes annual or quarterly performance bonuses. Additional compensation for certain positions may also include : - Stock ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ‎ Minimum Qualifications... Outlined below are the required minimum qualifications for this position. If none are listed, there are no minimum qualifications. Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Human Resources, Engineering, Supply Chain, or related field and 6 years’ experience in consulting, project management, business strategy, or related area OR 8 years’ experience in consulting, project management, business strategy, or related area. 3 years’ experience leading cross functional teams. Preferred Qualifications... Outlined below are the optional preferred qualifications for this position. If none are listed, there are no preferred qualifications. Leading and mentoring Six Sigma projects, Master’s degree in Finance, Human Resources, Engineering, Supply Chain, or related field., Project Management Certification, Six Sigma certification, Strategic planning and setting team direction Primary Location... 805 Respect, Bentonville, AR 72716, United States of America Walmart and its subsidiaries are committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and has a no tolerance policy regarding the use of illegal drugs and alcohol on the job. This policy applies to all employees and aims to create a safe and productive work environment. Minimum Pay: 130000 Maximum Pay: 260000 Pay Frequency: Annual City: BENTONVILLE State: AR Country: United States Job Area: : [Corporate] Job Category: : [Continuous Improvements] Management Level: E Job Family: Process Improvement Shift: Weekday Day Shift: Weekend Day Employment Type: Full time Brand: Walmart