Director of Strategy and Transformation

Founded in 1983, Kele Inc. is a leading distribution, and solutions partner with national reach and a global presence. Built around our customers and powered by our people, Kele provides millions of in-stock parts from more than 300 brands to drive automation & efficiency in nearly every type of facility, from office towers and factories to data centers and hospitals.

Our goal is to empower progress for maintenance managers, engineers, contractors, and all those building the future. We do this by delivering parts rapidly, providing custom assemblies upstream, and offering unmatched support to ensure projects run smoothly and downtime is minimized.

With 12 locations nationwide and headquarters in Tennessee, Kele combines deep technical expertise, rapid logistics, and a solutions-first mindset to help customers simplify supply chains, meet tight schedules, and deliver high-quality outcomes.

Kele fosters a culture rooted in collaboration, innovation, and customer obsession, empowering associates at every level to contribute, grow, and make a meaningful impact.

We are currently hiring for the role of Director of Strategy & Transformation.

SUMMARYAs the newly hired Director of Strategy & Transformation, you will be responsible for leading several of the company's largest and most critical strategic initiatives and be a core part of driving the business value creation plan. Reporting to the EVP of Strategy & Transformation, the Director of Strategy & Transformation will be a key member of the company's Senior Leadership Team (“SLT”) and will be responsible for leading several key strategic initiatives.

This will include evaluating strategic alternatives, building strategic plans, leading workstream day-to-day execution, and overall driving financial results. This is both a strategic and tactical role where the individual will need to shape the strategy and then lead the execution.

The successful candidate will have experience operating as a leader for similar transformation efforts, with a track record of driving outcomes rather than simply identifying problems. Experience in pricing and distribution is highly valued, as it demonstrates an understanding of the underlying business model. Exposure to industrials broadly is preferred but not required. This individual will bring hands-on experience leading initiatives end to end, and will get experience across commercial, operational, finance, and people functions.

Essential Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning & Initiative Development Partner with the leadership team to identify, evaluate, and prioritize strategic growth and transformation opportunities aligned with the company's long-term objectives

Conduct market analysis, competitive assessments, and financial modeling to support strategic decision making, and business case development

Support the development of multi-year strategic plans, including financial projections, resource requirements, and risk assessments for proposed initiatives

Transformation Program Execution Support the EVP of Strategy & Transformation in driving the transformation program, establishing and managing governance structures, operating rhythms, and accountability frameworks to ensure successful execution

Drive accountability across initiative teams by tracking progress, flagging risks, and ensuring owners follow through on commitments and timelines

Lead cross-functional initiative teams, providing direction, removing obstacles, and ensuring initiatives remain on track to deliver against defined objectives and timelines

Own the creation of key strategic deliverables, partnering with senior business leaders to ensure quality and alignment with transformation objectives

Build and maintain program documentation, including initiative charters, project plans, and interdependency maps, to ensure visibility, alignment, and accountability across work streams

Performance Management & Reporting Design and implement performance tracking systems and dashboards to monitor initiative progress, financial impact, and value realization against planned targets

Provide regular updates to the executive team and board of directors on program status, key…