Sr. Manager - Operations

VARSITY SPIRIT, A VARSITY BRANDS COMPANY - THE DRIVING FORCE IN SPIRIT ACROSS CHEER, DANCE, BAND AND YEARBOOK For over 50 years, Varsity Spirit has been the leading global source for all things spirit, including cheerleading, dance team, performing arts and yearbook. Focused on safety, entertainment and traditional school leadership, Varsity Spirit’s 5,000+ employees are dedicated to celebrating school spirit. A leader in apparel innovation, educational camps, clinics, competitions, and yearbook, Varsity Spirit impacts more than a million athletes each year.

OUR COMMITMENT TO SAFETY

At Varsity Spirit, the safety and wellbeing of the young people we serve is of the utmost importance. Since our inception 50 years ago, we have been – and remain – steadfastly committed to doing our part to create a safe and positive environment for our participants’ physical, emotional, and social development, and promoting an environment free from abuse and misconduct. Varsity has a zero tolerance for abuse in its programs, events, and associated business activities. Varsity is committed to reporting all suspicions, allegations, and incidents of abuse in full accordance with local laws and reporting requirements. Learn more at Our Commitment to Safety - Varsity.com.

WORK TYPE: Onsite

LOCATION DETAILS: 5300 Hickory Hill Rd, Ste 107, Memphis, TN 38141

Please note: This position does not offer relocation assistance. Candidates must be able to work from the designated location without company-sponsored relocation

WORK HOURS: Monday – Friday 8am-5pm

HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT

The Sr. Manager – Operations is a senior operations leadership role responsible for the integrated performance of multiple functional areas within a high-volume, multi-shift distribution and light manufacturing environment. The Sr. Manager leads through Managers and Supervisors, with overall accountability for large frontline teams and end-to-end operational performance across safety, quality, delivery, productivity, cost, inventory accuracy, employee engagement, and customer fulfillment. This role partners with senior leadership to translate business strategy into cross-functional operating plans, standardize processes, develop leadership bench strength, and drive continuous improvement across the operation.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Integrated Operational Leadership

• Provide strategic and day-to-day leadership across multiple warehouse and/or production functions within a large, complex, high-volume operation.
• Lead through Managers and Supervisors, with overall accountability for approximately 150–200+ team members across multiple shifts and functions.
• Own integrated operational performance across safety, quality, delivery, productivity, cost, inventory accuracy, employee engagement, and customer fulfillment.
• Ensure seamless product flow from inbound receiving through production and outbound shipping across all assigned functions.
• Establish cross-functional priorities, operating rhythms, performance expectations, and accountability mechanisms.
• Make cross-functional operational decisions and escalate site, network, or enterprise risks and recommendations to senior leadership.

Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Champion and enforce a strong safety-first culture across all assigned functions and shifts.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, quality standards, production specifications, inventory controls, and regulatory requirements.
• Review operating trends and hold Managers accountable for timely corrective action, risk mitigation, and sustained performance improvement.
• Maintain clean, organized, compliant, and audit-ready operations across the assigned scope.

People Leadership & Organizational Development

• Lead through Managers and Supervisors, with overall accountability for the performance, engagement, and development of large frontline teams.
• Coach and develop Managers and other leaders of leaders to strengthen leadership capability, judgment, accountability, and succession readiness.
• Build leadership bench strength and succession plans across multiple operational functions.
• Establish consistent expectations for performance management, employee development, attendance, timekeeping, communication, and leader follow-through.
• Foster a culture of trust, accountability, inclusion, collaboration, and open communication across all levels of the organization.
• Resolve escalated employee concerns and workplace issues professionally and fairly in partnership with Human Resources and senior leadership.
• Lead organizational planning, talent reviews, development planning, and succession-readiness initiatives across the operation.

Strategy, Financial & Resource Accountability

• Partner with senior leadership to develop operational strategy and translate business objectives into integrated plans, priorities, resource requirements, and measurable results across multiple functions.
• Own labor planning, staffing strategy, overtime, and controllable cost performance across the assigned operation.
• Develop operating plans and forecasts in partnership with senior leadership and Finance and hold Managers accountable for performance against approved plans.
• Evaluate operational trade-offs involving service, capacity, labor, quality, inventory, and cost and make recommendations that support business priorities.
• Identify resource, technology, equipment, and capital needs and provide fact-based recommendations to senior leadership.
• Communicate performance, priorities, risks, decisions, and strategic recommendations effectively across all levels.

Continuous Improvement & Cross-Functional Leadership

• Drive Lean manufacturing, warehouse optimization, and operational excellence initiatives across multiple functions.
• Develop, standardize, and continuously improve SOPs, standard work, workflows, and operational best practices across departments and shifts.
• Use data, metrics, and GEMBA practices to identify systemic improvement opportunities and implement measurable changes.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives that improve efficiency, quality, service, inventory control, employee experience, and cost.
• Partner with Supply Chain, Planning, Customer Service, Human Resources, Finance, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, and other stakeholders to ensure operational alignment.
• Lead large-scale operational changes and ensure effective communication, adoption, and sustainment across the organization.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Strong senior-leadership presence with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through Managers and Supervisors and develop leaders of leaders.
• Strong strategic thinking, business acumen, and operational execution capability.
• Proven ability to lead large, complex, multi-function, multi-shift operations and drive change.
• Strong financial acumen, including labor planning, forecasting, controllable cost management, and resource prioritization.
• Advanced analytical, problem-solving, and cross-functional decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication, coaching, talent-development, and stakeholder-management skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience with ERP and/or WMS systems such as SAP, AS400, or Manhattan is preferred.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and lead effectively in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to Varsity Brands values of Service, Passion, Integrity, Respect, Innovation, and Transparency.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Operations, Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience, is preferred.
• 7–10 years of experience in warehouse, distribution, manufacturing, and/or production operations.
• 5+ years of progressive operations leadership experience, including demonstrated experience leading Managers and other leaders of leaders in a high-volume, multi-shift environment.
• Experience with Lean, continuous improvement, warehouse optimization, standard work, and operational metrics such as GEMBA.
• Experience managing integrated performance across safety, quality, delivery, productivity, inventory, labor, cost, and people.
• Bilingual English/Spanish capability is a plus.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIORNMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and perform repetitive movements in warehouse and production environments.
• Regular lifting of approximately 15–35 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to work in non-climate-controlled environments when required.
• Ability to support multiple shifts, overtime, weekends, schedule changes, and peak-season requirements as business needs dictate.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee for this job.

OUR VALUES

Service - We lead with heart. We champion community. Passion - We love what we do. It fuels our purpose. Integrity - We do what we promise. We own our actions and decisions. Respect - We earn it by giving it. Because everyone deserves it. Innovation - We never stop striving to be better. For ourselves and our community. Transparency - We are committed to openness and honesty in everything we do.

OUR BENEFITS

We are committed to putting you and your families first. For benefits eligible roles, we offer a variety of choices and costs as well as program enhancements that align with our responsibility to elevate the employee experience. Some of our offerings include:

• Comprehensive Health Care Benefits
• HSA Employer Contribution/ FSA Opportunities
• Wellbeing Program
• 401(k) plan with company matching
• Company paid Life, AD&D, and Short-Term Disability
• Generous My Time Off & Paid Holidays
• Varsity Brands Ownership Program
• Employee Resource Groups
• Access to Financial Coaching and member-owned Credit Union
• St. Jude Partnership & Volunteer Opportunities
• Employee Perks including discounts on personal apparel and equipment!

Eligibility for company-sponsored benefits is determined by scheduled work hours, and the terms of the applicable benefit plans. Benefit offerings and eligibility requirements may vary by position and are subject to change in accordance with plan documents and applicable law.

Varsity Brands companies are equal opportunity employers. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran’s status, age or disability.