Program Manager - Supply Chain Distribution & Logistics



This position is designated as a hybrid role based out of our headquarters near Portland, Oregon. The current expectation is for employees to work onsite four days per week, subject to change based on business needs. This in-office requirement may be adjusted at the discretion of the company.

The Program Manager - Supply Chain Distribution & Logistics reports to the Sr. Director of Operational Excellence, Capability, and Engineering for Supply Chain, this role serves as the primary program leader for distribution technology, warehouse automation, and logistics transformation initiatives. The Program Manager will lead the successful deployment of warehouse systems, automation technologies, and operational capabilities that improve service levels, increase distribution efficiency, reduce operational risk, and support the company's long-term supply chain strategy.

The role is responsible for managing large-scale implementations across both company-operated distribution centers and third-party logistics (3PL) partner facilities. Programs may include Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), Warehouse Control Systems (WCS), warehouse automation solutions such as AutoStore, material handling systems, robotics, and related supply chain technologies. Responsibilities span the full project lifecycle, including business case development, vendor selection, RFP/RFI management, solution design, testing, operational readiness, deployment, stabilization, and continuous improvement.

The ideal candidate combines strong program leadership capabilities with a deep understanding of distribution center operations, supply chain systems, systems integration, and logistics processes. This role partners closely with Operations, Supply Chain, Information Technology, Engineering, automation providers, implementation partners, and 3PL operators to deliver successful business outcomes and drive continuous improvement across the distribution network.

HOW YOU’LL MAKE A DIFFERENCE

PROGRAM LEADERSHIP & DELIVERY

• Lead the end-to-end execution of strategic supply chain, distribution, and logistics programs that deliver measurable business value and operational improvements.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships across business, operations, technology, engineering, and logistics teams within company-operated and third-party (3PL) distribution environments.
• Manage multiple complex programs simultaneously within a global, matrixed organization while balancing scope, schedule, budget, and resource constraints.
• Develop and maintain all program management deliverables, including business cases, project roadmaps, implementation plans, milestone tracking, status reporting, risk registers, and dependency management.
• Partner with organizational change management teams to define and implement change management strategies, including stakeholder analysis, impact assessments, communication plans, training plans, and adoption activities.
• Plan, coordinate, and facilitate workshops, design sessions, steering committees, and cross-functional working sessions.
• Monitor program performance through project metrics, analytics, and KPIs to identify risks, enable proactive issue resolution, and support data-driven decision-making.
• Serve as the escalation point for complex program issues, recommending and implementing corrective actions to improve delivery outcomes.
• Prepare executive-level communications, status reports, and presentations for senior leadership and steering committees.

DISTRIBUTION, LOGISTICS, and AUTOMATION FUNCTIONS

• Serve as the supply chain program lead for distribution technology, warehouse automation, and logistics transformation initiatives across company-operated and third-party logistics (3PL) distribution centers.
• Coordinate the business planning, operational design, and implementation readiness activities associated with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), Warehouse Control Systems (WCS), Warehouse Execution Systems (WES), Labor Management Systems (LMS), and warehouse automation solutions.
• Partner with distribution center leadership and 3PL operators to coordinate operational readiness activities, including business process documentation, training, cutover planning, communications, and post-go-live support to enable successful adoption of new systems and automation technologies.
• Orchestrate the evaluation and selection of supply chain technologies, warehouse automation solutions, and third-party logistics providers through structured RFI, RFP, proof-of-concept, and vendor assessment processes.
• Coordinate business participation in solution design, conference room pilots, system testing, user acceptance testing (UAT), process validation, and go-live readiness activities.
• Support distribution network expansion, facility start-ups, automation deployments, and strategic transformation initiatives designed to improve service, efficiency, scalability, and operational performance.
• Coordinate the implementation of warehouse automation technologies including AutoStore, goods-to-person solutions, ASRS, robotics, conveyor systems, sortation systems, and material handling equipment.
• Facilitate testing activities including System Integration Testing (SIT), User Acceptance Testing (UAT), operational readiness testing, defect management, and go-live validation.

Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence

• This role will partner closely with the Continuous Improvement Manager to support governance, visibility, and executive reporting of post-implementation optimization initiatives. The Program Manager will help ensure continuous improvement activities are prioritized, tracked, communicated, and aligned with broader supply chain transformation objectives.
• Partner with the Continuous Improvement Manager to establish governance processes for tracking post-implementation improvement initiatives, business outcomes, and operational performance metrics. Maintain visibility into continuous improvement portfolios, ensuring action plans, dependencies, risks, and expected benefits are documented and communicated to stakeholders. 

YOU ARE

• The ideal Project Manager will have strong PMO and Gantt-based project management experience, with a proven track record of leading multiple concurrent projects.
• Ability to lead and influence without direct lines of supervision but acts as a resource for colleagues with less experience. No direct reportsLeads strategic cross-functional projects and programs managing risks and resource requirements. Stakeholders including Operations, IT, HR, Engineering, and other key stakeholders,Values empowering teams for independent decision-making through clear direction and leadership.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to prioritize team and individual tasks and respond to urgent requests/inquiries with minimal supervisory involvementExpertise in strategic planning and financial planning, forecasting and trackingAbility to develop high-profile, influential, and collaborative relationships across teams, functions, and layers
• Ability to deliver a clear vision and sense of urgency to mobilize teams to execute effectively with minimal supervision and achieve targeted business resultsStrong facilitation, coaching and mentoring skills
• Ability to travel: Domestic or global travel 10% to 25%.  

YOU HAVE

• Bachelor's degree or applicable certification and experience.
• 8+ years of Supply Chain strategic project or program experience combines with distribution and logistics initiatives
• Experience working with third-party logistics providersComprehensive understanding of the mix of project management methodologies including waterfall and Agile principles and methodologies and how they’re applied in workplace culture
• Previous work with other cultures in a business setting, and awareness of and sensitivity to cultural differences
• Experience implementing Manhattan Associates, Blue Yonder, SAP EWM, or similar WMS platformsExperience with warehouse automation technologies including AutoStore, ASRS, robotics sortation, conveyor systems, or goods-to-person solutions. PMP, PgMP, Agile, or comparable project management certification (or work experience using these frameworks).

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This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function in the company. 

Columbia Sportswear Company is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. Columbia Sportswear is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12.pdf. If you need reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please notify your recruiter.At Columbia Sportswear Company, we’re proud to offer regular full-time employees a benefits package that includes a variety of services and products to help make your life and work more rewarding. Our benefit programs contribute to overall employee well-being by aligning those programs with the fundamental elements of well-being: physical, social/emotional, financial, career and community. Benefits that can protect your family’s financial future and help you save money through our 401k plan plus a generous company match. Columbia offers medical, dental, vision, life Insurance, disability, flexible spending accounts, health savings account, and an assortment of voluntary benefit offerings (accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and legal services). In addition, Columbia offers EAP + which is free and confidential 24/7/365 counseling services. We have extensive wellness benefits, employee discounts and a generous time off program available.If you need an accommodation/adjustment to successfully complete and submit your application, please reach out to [email protected] with the Subject: Applicant Assistance Requested.