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Fanatics

China-based licensed sports merchandise retailer

Operations Lead - Distribution

Full-TimePosted on 10/14/2026
No salary listed
Junior, Mid
Bachelor's
Easton, PA, USA
In Person
Warehouse & FulfillmentPicking & Packing
Company Historically Provides H1B Sponsorship

About the job

Requirements
  • Two to five years of experience leading teams in a distribution, manufacturing, or fulfillment environment.
  • Ability to analyze large amounts of operational data and develop and execute a course of action.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
  • Experience using performance management to coach employees on productivity and support career development.
  • Ability to present information clearly in business meetings, stand-ups, formations, and town halls.
  • Ability to influence peers and leaders across the organization to drive outcomes.
  • Experience supporting hourly populations in manufacturing, distribution, or call center environments.
  • A Bachelor's degree is required.
Responsibilities
  • Partner with the HR Manager and Operations/Senior Management Team to manage personnel processes, including vacation approvals, time card management, daily and weekly overtime, and policy implementation.
  • Coordinate with Operations/Senior Management on the development and rollout of departmental policies, procedures, and process improvement initiatives to drive operational efficiency.
  • Train, motivate, coach, reward, and discipline a team of up to 25 distribution center associates; resolve personnel issues in partnership with HR and senior leadership.
  • Lead interviewing and hiring to forecast and fulfill staffing needs during peak business demands, while supporting employee performance, quality, and career development.
  • Maintain department standards for productivity, reliability, and accuracy so fans receive orders on time and in full.
  • Oversee picking, transfers, and work order processing with floor visibility to minimize errors and fulfill demand accurately.
  • Ensure a seamless fulfillment experience across online, mobile, and in-venue channels.
  • Prioritize and organize operational activities each shift to align throughput with customer order volume and service-level expectations.
  • Identify and develop ongoing process improvements to drive departmental efficiency, using Lean, Six Sigma, or comparable methodologies.
  • Maintain working knowledge of operating systems and warehouse-based software for the work area and seek opportunities to leverage technology for better outcomes.
  • Analyze operational data to develop and execute informed actions that improve performance and remove bottlenecks.
  • Present process improvement initiatives and operational updates in business meetings, shift formations, stand-ups, and town halls.
  • Review, prioritize, and organize operational activities throughout the shift, ensuring clear direction and accountability across the team.
  • Ensure compliance with safety programs, guidelines, and required training, maintaining a safe environment for associates.
  • Perform required administrative tasks and prepare accurate operational reports and correspondence.
  • Hold the team accountable to measurable performance standards, address barriers, resolve problems, and escalate issues as appropriate.
  • Apply AI and technology to improve efficiency, quality, and outcomes.
  • Use data and digital tools to inform decisions and enhance performance.
  • Adopt new technologies and ways of working and contribute to continuous improvement.
Desired Qualifications
  • Experience with warehouse-based software.
  • Bilingual ability in English and Spanish.

About the company

Fanatics China is a joint venture between Fanatics Inc. and Hillhouse Capital that localizes and scales licensed sports merchandise for China. It designs, manufactures, and markets fan gear for Chinese consumers, operating a multi-channel model that includes building and running e-commerce sites for global leagues and teams, exploring online marketplaces, and developing physical retail concepts. Its product workflow combines technology, data, and on-demand manufacturing to manage the entire supply chain, enabling fast response to demand. The company differentiates itself through a China-focused approach backed by Hillhouse’s network and investments, its end-to-end vertical commerce model, and partnerships with hundreds of sports organizations, which together help it navigate China’s complex retail landscape. The goal is to satisfy a previously underserved Chinese market for licensed sports merchandise by creating localized products and channels that connect fans with official gear.

Company Size

10,001+

Company Stage

Growth Equity (Venture Capital)

Total Funding

$5.2B

Headquarters

Huangpu, China

Founded

1995

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Fanatics Sports & Casino launched September 2, 2026, broadening monetization beyond merchandise.
  • Fanatics Collectibles opened Paris flagship plans after London's success, expanding global premium retail.
  • NFL added Fanatics as official betting operator, validating the company's sportsbook ambitions.

What critics are saying

  • Three antitrust suits were dismissed September 30, 2026, but Panini's case still threatens.
  • Fanatics laid off 286 Florida workers for Riverview closure effective March 1, 2026.
  • Sportsbook and prediction-markets integration intensifies rivalry with DraftKings, FanDuel, and regulators.

What makes Fanatics unique

  • Fanatics controls leagues, teams, and factories through vertical commerce, not simple retail markup.
  • Fanatics signed long-term NFL, UEFA, FIFA, and Ryder Cup rights in 2026.
  • Fanatics China pairs Hillhouse Capital with local manufacturing and Shanghai operations.

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Benefits

  • Work Life Balance - At Fanatics we place our focus on results and empowerment and encourage you to enjoy your time on and OFF the field with our competitive time off policies.
  • Recognition and Rewards Program - Fanatics values our internal fans too! Our programs are designed to thank and reward Fanatics athletes for their hard work and commitment to winning as a team.
  • Company Sponsored Events - From breakfast to happy hour and every hour in between – Fanatics employees can enjoy time together at one of our many company events.
  • Fanatics.com Employee Discount - As an employee you will receive a special discount on all of your favorite sports merchandise and memorabilia.
  • Give Back - Fanatics cares about the fans around us. We encourage you to partner up with your teammates in giving back and serving the communities where we work and play.
  • Meet & Greets - You never know who will show up to the office. You might just meet one of your all-time favorite athletes.
  • Invest in You - Here at Fanatics we want you to accomplish your goals. We offer tuition reimbursement.
  • Healthy Lifestyle - Fanatics cares about helping and supporting our teams in their busy lifestyles. Through wellness relationships with fitness and weight management partners we are here to support you in whatever your lifestyle goals.
  • Wellness Coverage - Your health is important to you – and it’s important to us too! We offer a number of benefit plan options for convenience and flexibility.
  • Financial Security - Through our plans, Fanatics offers you a way to budget for health care expenses that you’d typically pay for out of pocket.
  • Retirement - The sooner you begin planning for your retirement, the better. Fanatics offers generous plans to help you prepare for the future.
  • Network of Support - Fanatics understands that sometimes you may need someone in your corner. Through the Life Assistance Program, you and your family have access to support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Company News

CNBC
Sep 30th, 2025
Scorability raises $40M to transform recruiting

Scorability, a sports tech platform, raised $40 million in funding led by Bluestone Equity Partners, with participation from Fanatics and others. The startup, founded in 2023 by Brian Cruver, aims to modernize college sports recruiting. It has 1.2 million athletes and 3,000 college sports program users. Scorability is free for athletes, while colleges pay $10k-$40k annually. The platform simplifies recruitment by providing comprehensive data and AI-driven tools for coaches.

Instagram
Aug 25th, 2025
Black Sports Business Symposium on Instagram: "Day one of #BlackSportsBiz launched the inaugural @BlackSportsWallStreet + @Pitch.Black.Sports, presented by @Fanatics, while also featuring @CariChampion, Eli Kumekpor, @RyanHoward_006 and @1JeremiahBrown! 🎤🛍️ Congrats to @Reel_Analytics for winning Pitch Black Sports! We can’t wait to see what’s next for Cory and his team. 📈 🎥: @travisellisonproductions @aumemedia"

417 likes, 21 comments - blacksportsbiz on May 30, 2024: "Day one of #BlackSportsBiz launched the inaugural @BlackSportsWallStreet + @Pitch.Black.Sports, presented by @Fanatics, while also featuring @CariChampion, Eli Kumekpor, @RyanHoward_006 and @1JeremiahBrown! 🎤🛍️ Congrats to @Reel_Analytics for winning Pitch Black Sports! We can’t wait to see what’s next for Cory and his team. 📈 🎥: @travisellisonproductions @aumemedia".

Wall Street Journal
Dec 8th, 2024
WSJ News Exclusive | Fanatics Valuation Rises to $18 Billion as It Plans to Expand Sports Offerings

Fanatics raised a new round of funding valuing the online sports-merchandise retailer at $18 billion, people familiar with the matter said, roughly tripling its valuation from a year ago.

Sports Yahoo
Sep 12th, 2024
Fanatics Launching Events Division With Investment From IMG

Fanatics is launching a new events vertical, in partnership with IMG, to capitalize on the company’s growing suite of business ventures, including merchandise, memorabilia, fashion, music, trading cards and sports betting. Starting next year, Fanatics Events will create fan festivals that feature athletes and brands from across the industry, including those in the Fanatics orbit. […]

Fanatics, Inc.
Sep 12th, 2024
History — Fanatics Inc

What began as a single e-commerce deal in 2002 has grown into a mobile-first, tech and data-fueled consumer brand, built to satisfy global fans who purchase gear in-the-moment when passion is burning highest. Fanatics provides the ultimate shopping experience to sports fans whether buying gear onlin