At L.L.Bean, we believe the outdoors brings out the best in all of us. We are committed to fostering a culture of belonging and creating safe, inclusive spaces where everyone feels welcome-both here and Outside. We value individual differences and are dedicated to maintaining an inclusive work environment where everyone can bring the best of their experience and talents and truly thrive.
L.L.Bean is seeking a skilled Senior Manager of Fulfillment Operations to lead high-volume distribution activities and ensure exceptional performance across Safety, Service, Quality, and Cost. In this role, you will oversee assigned end-to-end fulfillment processes, guide a team of leaders, and drive continuous improvement to support business growth and peak-season demands.
You'll partner closely with cross-functional teams to execute staffing strategies, optimize workflow, and ensure accurate, timely movement of goods from receipt to customer delivery. We're looking for a strong operator and people leader with in depth operations experience who excels at building teams, improving processes, and translating strategy into action.
This position is a Hybrid position located in Freeport, Maine at our Order Fulfillment Center.
The Senior Manager of Fulfillment Operations provides strategic oversight and full accountability for facility operations, end-to-end processes, and workforce performance across the Fulfillment organization. This role leads a management team dedicated to operational excellence and drives continuous improvement initiatives that optimize Safety, Service, Quality, and Cost.
The position partners closely with the Fulfillment Workforce Management organization to ensure annual business objectives, staffing strategies, and volume-based operational plans are successfully executed. It also collaborates with key cross-functional partners across the enterprise to develop, align, and deliver tactical and strategic plans that support corporate initiatives and functional priorities.
Reporting to the Director of Fulfillment and serving as a key member of the
Fulfillment Senior Leadership Team, this role requires deep operational expertise, strong business acumen, and the ability to build, develop, and lead high-performing teams. The Senior Manager is expected to translate strategy into action, cultivate a culture of excellence, and drive organizational performance to meet both current and future business needs.
Responsibilities
Operational & Organizational Leadership
Provide strategic oversight across multiple fulfillment and distribution areas, potentially spanning multiple locations, shifts, and weekend operations.
Lead through subordinate leaders, ensuring alignment, accountability, and strong execution across all teams.
Make or approve employment decisions, including hiring, promotions, transfers, and separations, ensuring alignment with organizational needs.
Establish clear performance expectations, monitor workload distribution, and ensure balanced, efficient staffing across functions.
Ensure all supervisors consistently maintain compliance with company policies, safety standards, ergonomic guidelines, and regulatory requirements.
Oversee the maintenance and accuracy of operational records, workforce documentation, and performance data.
Strategic Workforce Planning
Develop year-round and seasonal staffing strategies to effectively manage fluctuating business volumes, including hiring, scheduling, work balancing, and offboarding plans.
Guide leaders in building deep succession pipelines and strengthening technical and leadership capabilities within the fulfillment organization.
Ensure operational teams are prepared for peak periods through coordinated forecasting, resource allocation, cross-training, and communication.
Fulfillment & Distribution Execution
Ensure vendor receipts and customer orders are processed and delivered with high accuracy, operational efficiency, and quality service.
Maintain strong customer/supplier alignment within the Distribution Center, ensuring workflow activities support timely and accurate receipt, processing, and shipment.
Oversee the implementation of new or enhanced services, systems, and programs that improve fulfillment performance and customer outcomes.
Strengthen partnerships with key internal teams-Product Quality, Inventory, Facilities Management, Customer Satisfaction, Direct Marketing, Retail, Human Resources, Security, and others-to support seamless end-to-end operational flow.
Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence
Lead business analysis and drive business process improvements that enhance service levels, reduce costs, and support operational scalability.
Identify systemic issues or barriers to efficiency and develop action plans to address operational risks or performance gaps.
Ensure leaders maintain a disciplined approach to continuous improvement, leveraging data, metrics, and cross-functional alignment.
Oversee and influence the development and implementation of new technologies, tools, and systems that improve distribution center performance.
Facility Operations & Safety Oversight
Oversee facility operational needs in partnership with Facilities Management, ensuring equipment installation, removal, maintenance, cleanliness, and safety standards are upheld.
Maintain a safe, compliant, and ergonomically sound work environment, minimizing risks of workplace injuries and associated costs.
Ensure long-range facility planning aligns with future operational needs, business growth, and efficiency objectives.
Vendor & External Partnership Management
Build and maintain effective external business partnerships, including vendors that support fulfillment operations, material handling equipment, and service providers.
Lead vendor alignment on performance expectations, pricing, service-level agreements, and continuous improvement opportunities.
Peak Season Leadership
Oversee peak-season planning and execution, including forecasting, staffing coverage, daily monitoring, and real-time performance adjustments to ensure customer commitments are met.
Coordinate cross-departmental support to ensure all resources (training, labor, equipment, systems) are optimized for peak production.
Perform additional responsibilities as assigned.
Health and Safety Requirement
Every employee is responsible for contributing to a safe and healthy workplace. Employees are expected to be active participants in health and safety by following all safety policies and procedures, reporting unsafe conditions or at-risk behaviors to leadership, and conducting work in a safe manner. Those in a leadership role are also expected to model safe behaviors, evaluate risk, and ensure that risks are reduced to acceptable levels.
Education Level: 4-Year Bachelors Degree
Years of Experience: 7 + years of expereince
Skills and Qualifications
Experience working in an operational environment.
Demonstrated critical leadership behaviors, including strategic thinking and innovation.
Strong business acumen with the ability to meet and exceed goals.
Proven leadership capability with a track record of developing, inspiring, and motivating employees.
Strong time management and organizational skills.
Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
Ability to build effective partnerships and collaborate across teams to achieve shared objectives.
Ability to influence at multiple levels within the organization, including senior leadership.
Highly motivated team player who thrives in a fast-paced environment.
Advanced critical thinking and analytical problem-solving skills
If you care about the outdoors, joining L.L.Bean is a great way to feel good about what you do. Our benefits package makes a good thing even better, with programs and perks designed to support your health and financial goals. Plus, maintaining a healthy work-life balance and re-charging outside are all part of the plan.
If your experience looks a little different from what we've identified and you think you'd be great at this role, we'd love to learn more about you! At L.L.Bean, we believe the outdoors brings out the best in all of us. We strive to reflect this every day in our commitments to employees and partners and in our efforts to promote belonging.
