Regional Manager, Logistics (64430) at Thistle in Chicago Hub - Northlake, IL 60164; Milwaukee Hub - St. Francis, WI 53235

Job description

• TITLE: [Position Title]
• Thistle makes it easy to eat well – without overthinking it. Thistle was founded in 2013 with a mission to help people get and stay healthy while improving the sustainability of our food system. Thistle delivers fully prepared, healthy-by-default meals, snacks, desserts, and organic cold-pressed juices. We believe the health of people starts with eating real, whole foods, in the right balance, without the friction. We’re building a future where nutritious, sustainable food is accessible, craveable, and part of everyday life.
• As a Regional Logistics Manager, you will drive strategic leadership for direct-to-consumer delivery operations across your assigned region, ensuring optimal efficiency, cost management, and high performance. Reporting to the Director of Logistics, you will oversee multiple facilities and teams, aligning regional logistics strategies with overarching company objectives.
• This role demands data-driven decision-making, rigorous problem-solving, and a commitment to continuous improvement through meticulous documentation and evaluation of operational processes. You will cultivate a culture of accountability, innovation, and collaboration, empowering teams to enhance performance and drive sustainable growth. Regular travel is required to assess operations firsthand, strengthen team engagement, and ensure the seamless execution of logistics strategies that support long-term operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• As a Regional Logistics Manager, your leadership will have a broad and measurable impact on the organization. Your key contributions will include:
• Develop and implement logistics strategies that align with company objectives, focusing on cost control, operational efficiency, and service quality across the region.
• Use performance data to identify trends, analyze problem areas, and execute plans to optimize routes, labor allocation, and overall delivery operations.
• Apply a scientific approach to problem-solving by documenting plans, hypotheses, and results to evaluate which strategies work best and refine future initiatives.
• Lead the logistics function in company expansion efforts, ensuring seamless integration of new geographies into regional operations.
• Collaborate with Production and Warehouse teams to identify and execute continuous process improvements, ensuring delivery windows and fulfillment targets are met.
• Oversee regional facility management, coordinating with service providers and vendors to maintain efficient, safe, and compliant operations.
• Implement and enforce OSHA, Food Safety, and company-specific compliance standards, maintaining a safe working environment for employees and customers.
• Promote and instill a culture of continuous improvement within teams, ensuring consistent operational growth and excellence.
• Ensure plans and processes are well-documented to provide clear insights into operational performance and lessons learned.
• Manage, develop, and coach Logistics Managers, supervisors, and staff fostering an environment of accountability, high performance, and professional growth.
• Collaborate with Talent Acquisition and People Operations to oversee regional recruitment, onboarding, and retention strategies.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations, identify improvement areas, and coach staff to exceed performance expectations.
• Ensure regional teams maintain adherence to SOPs and policies, reinforcing the importance of compliance at every level.
• Monitor and analyze regional performance metrics, including cost per delivery, labor efficiency, and customer satisfaction scores, to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Develop actionable plans to correct when operations deviate from targets, implementing changes to minimize cost impacts and enhance service levels.
• Utilize technology platforms and logistics software to streamline operations, optimize routes, and track KPIs in real time.
• Encourage a scientific mindset among team members by focusing on documentation, experimentation, and results-driven improvements.
• Lead by example, demonstrating a willingness to roll up your sleeves and support teams in high-pressure situations or when resources are stretched.
• Ensure tight deadlines are met without compromising safety, quality, or service.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred; High School Diploma required.
• Minimum of 5+ years of leadership experience, including managing large teams across multiple facilities or regions.
• Demonstrated expertise in last-mile delivery operations and cost/performance optimization.
• Experience leading logistics efforts during company expansion is a strong plus.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, with a scientific approach to evaluating and refining strategies.
• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities, with a proven ability to meet deadlines in high-pressure situations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, fostering teamwork and collaboration across all levels of the organization.
• A proactive and dynamic personality, maintaining composure under pressure while inspiring confidence in your team.
• Strong familiarity with logistics software and payroll platforms (e.g., Onfleet, Google Suite, Paycom).
• A process- and data-driven approach to managing daily tasks and communication.

Skills

Required

• Proactive and dynamic personality
• Process- and data-driven approach