Senior Manager Distribution & Logistics

At CAVA we make it deliciously simple to eat well and feel good every day. We are guided by a Mediterranean heritage that’s been perfecting how to eat and live for four thousand years. We prioritize authenticity, curiosity and the pursuit of excellence in everything we do. We are working towards somethingbig, together.

We foster a culture built on five core values:

• Generosity First, Always:
  We lead with kindness. Our best work happens when we act in service of others.
• Constant Curiosity:
  We are eager to learn, grow, and explore beyond the obvious.
• Act with Agility:
  We welcome change; it’s the only constant. We embrace, adjust, adapt.
• Passion for Positivity:
  We greet each day with warmth and possibility.
• Collective Ambition:
  We have high aspirations that are achieved when we work together with a shared purpose.

As the Senior Manager of Distribution and Logistics, you will own the performance, cost, and reliability of CAVA's distribution network. This is a high-visibility role accountable for annual freight and distribution spend, and for the service levels that directly affect our restaurants' ability to serve guests. This leader will drive operational excellence through a relentless focus on continuous improvement, with particular emphasis on maximizing perfect orders, ensuring product availability & quality, and improving service levels while balancing cost and inventory performance.

The ideal candidate will have the ability to lead high-performing teams, collaborate cross-functionally, and deliver measurable business results.

• Establish ownership of DC in-stock rate performance by monitoring key metrics, identifying root causes of service failures, and leading cross-functional initiatives that improve product availability and customer fulfillment.
• Partner closely with Supply Planning, Sourcing, Operations, Distribution Centers, and suppliers to proactively address inventory constraints, demand variability, and execution issues that impact fill rates.
• Manage relationships & performance with suppliers, vendors, and transportation partners to ensure reliable, cost-effective inbound and outbound delivery.
• Continuously evaluate and improve distribution processes, leveraging data and analytics to identify opportunities for cost savings, increased efficiency, improved inventory flow, and enhanced customer service.
• Optimize freight costs from CAVA Foods to distribution centers through network optimization, cost visibility, distribution analysis, and order pattern improvements.
• Lead distribution network design and capacity planning, evaluating DC footprint, capacity, and routing to ensure the network scales ahead of CAVA's unit growth without compromising service or cost.
• Champion a continuous improvement mindset by implementing best practices, process standardization, and corrective actions that drive sustainable improvements in fill rates, inventory health, and distribution performance.
• Stay current on industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in distribution and logistics management, recommending and implementing innovative solutions that enhance supply chain resilience and customer service.

• Bachelor's degree required, preferably in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive supply chain, distribution, or logistics experience, including experience in retail or food service distribution environments preferred.
• CLTD, CSCP, CPIM, or Six Sigma certification a plus.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to influence senior internal stakeholders and manage external partners (carriers, 3PLs, suppliers).
• Strong analytical, financial, and critical-thinking skills, effective at translating data into decisions.
• Strategic planning and execution, with the ability to operate effectively in senior executive environments.
• Experience with supply chain visibility, TMS/WMS, freight management, or BI/reporting tools.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite (advanced Excel preferred).

• Ability to maintain stationary position to…