Director of Operations

Director of Operations - HVAC Products | Carrier Enterprise

Carrier Enterprise has an exciting Director of Operations opportunity at our Richmond, VA or Hanover, MD location.

Carrier Enterprise (CE) is a premier national distributor specializing in residential and light commercial Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) products, parts, and supplies. We serve licensed HVAC/R dealers and contractors, ensuring top-quality HVAC solutions across 28 states, Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, Latin America, Mexico, and Canada. With over 200+ locations, we are well-positioned to meet our customers' HVAC/R needs.

The Director of Operations provides strategic leadership and oversight for all warehouse, logistics, and operational functions across the region. This role ensures that each distribution center operates safely, efficiently, and in alignment with company goals. Leading a Regional Operations team, Distribution Center Managers and warehouse staff, the Director drives standardization, operational consistency, and high levels of customer service across all facilities.

This leader is responsible for optimizing inventory management, improving supply chain performance, reducing operational risk, and ensuring full compliance with regulatory and company standards.

In partnership with senior leadership and cross-functional teams, the Director of Operations develops and executes regional operational strategies that support business growth, capacity planning, and network optimization. The Director of Operations fosters a culture of continuous improvement by coaching operational leaders, strengthening accountability, and implementing best practices that enhance productivity and service delivery. Through data-driven decision-making and strong leadership, this role ensures the region operates as a cohesive, high-performing distribution network.

• Ensure compliance with all relevant health, safety, and environmental regulations.
• Work with Manager of Safety to implement and enforce safety protocols and procedures to protect employees and customers.
• Conduct regular safety audits and inspections to identify and mitigate potential hazards.

• Provide strong leadership to the Operations team, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Recruit, train, mentor, and develop team members to ensure a high-performing and motivated workforce. Distribution Center Managers and Regional Operations Managers will report directly to the Director of Operations.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations and provide constructive feedback to team members.

• Transportation and logistics responsibilities will include oversight of the relationship with our transportation partners.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards, safety regulations, and company policies.
• Implement and monitor quality control measures to ensure high standards of operational discipline and customer satisfaction.

• Implement company wide operational strategies to achieve business goals and objectives.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and operational efficiencies.
• Collaborate with senior management to align operations with overall company strategy.
• Build and submit capital appropriation requests, tracking capital spend to ensure budget adherence.

• Analyze current freight operations to pinpoint areas for cost reduction and enhanced efficiency.
• Develop and execute plans to streamline logistics and transportation workflows, ensuring cost-effective and timely delivery of goods.
• Monitor and report on key performance indicators related to freight costs and operational efficiency, making data-driven recommendations for continuous improvement.

• Maintain strong relationships with key clients, addressing any concerns or issues promptly and professionally.
• Ensure high levels of customer satisfaction through effective delivery service and communication.

• Operational discipline to ensure timely inbound shipment receipts and accurate outbound customer deliveries. Ensure quick resolution of errors.
• Monitor daily cycle count performance for all branches and lead an annual Physical Inventory process.

• Stay current with industry trends, technologies, and best practices.
• Evaluate and implement new technologies and systems to improve operational efficiency and service delivery.
• Promote a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Advanced computer skills and familiarity with warehouse management systems (WMS)
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Financial acumen and budget management experience.
• Knowledge of HVAC systems, technologies, and industry standards.
• Proficiency in relevant software and technology platforms.
• Lean Six…