Director, -Velocity Launch Operations

Director, High-Velocity Launch Operations

Columbus

Job area:
Managerial

Preferred Locations:
Cincinnati, OH, Denver, CO, Salt Lake City, UT, Chicago, IL, Dallas, TX

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• Lead a team of regionally dispersed Launch Leads as well as Away Team resources.
• Build organizational capability in rapid launch execution, project governance, and startup stabilization. Specializing in short lead-time launches.
• Influence operational stakeholders and external partners without direct authority.
• Partner closely with:
  • Operations Leadership
  • Global solutions, implementations, and engineering teams
  • IT/WMS implementation teams
  • Finance
  • Commercial and customer-facing teams
  • Customers

• Design, implement, and continuously improve DSV’s high-velocity launch operating model for new customer implementations and facility startups.
• Develop scalable launch frameworks, playbooks, governance models, and standardized deployment methodologies in support of rapid deployments.
• Establish repeatable launch processes that balance:
  • Speed-to-operational readiness
  • Financial forecasting & performance
  • Operational stability
  • Customer experience
• Partner with commercial and solutions engineering teams during pre-sale and implementation phases to ensure operational readiness, financial planning, and execution alignment.

• Own launch-related financial performance and sustainability metrics, including:
  • EBIT performance
  • ROIC achievement
  • Startup expense forecasting & management
  • Labor ramp efficiency
  • Launch budget adherence
• Establish financial governance and tracking mechanisms for pre- and post-launch activities.
• Identify and mitigate risks related to startup costs, implementation overruns, and operational instability.
• Partner with finance and operations leadership to ensure launches transition successfully into steady-state operations.

• Lead both:
  • Virtual launch support functions (project/program management)
  • Physical launch execution teams supporting onsite startup activities
• Oversee end-to-end launch execution across:
  • Facility startups
  • Customer transitions
  • Expansions and retrofits
• Ensure launches are delivered on-time, within budget, and aligned to operational KPIs and customer SLAs.
• Drive escalation management and executive-level issue resolution during critical launch phases.

• Design and maintain structured change management methodologies supporting:
  • Customer scope changes
  • Operational requirement changes
  • Implementation modifications
• Establish governance processes for:
  • Change requests
  • Financial impact assessments
  • Timeline adjustments
  • Resource allocation
• Ensure cross-functional alignment and communication throughout implementation lifecycle changes.
• Partner closely with customer stakeholders to manage expectations and execution risk.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on:
  • Launch velocity
  • Startup quality
  • Cost control
  • Customer onboarding experience
• Develop KPI scorecards and post-launch review processes to capture lessons learned and improve future implementations.
• Establish launch readiness and stabilization metrics across the network.

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business, or related field (preferred)
• 10–15+ years in supply chain, logistics, or operations analytics (3PL experience strongly preferred)
• 5+ years leading large-scale customer implementations, facility startups, or launch operations within a 3PL or distribution environment
• Exceptional stakeholder management and executive communication skills
• Ability to lead through ambiguity and high‑pressure launch environments
• Strong change…