The Director of Distribution and Logistics is responsible for leading the enterprise distribution network that moves products from approved suppliers through distributor partners and into Zaxbys restaurants. This role owns the performance, cost, scalability, and readiness of the network between supplier ship point and restaurant delivery, ensuring restaurants receive the right product, at the right time, in the right condition, and at the right cost.
Zaxbys relies on distributor partners to execute warehousing, inventory management, final mile distribution, and delivery. This leader serves as the company owner for those distributor relationships and operating rhythms, translating restaurant growth, product launches, supplier capacity, promotional activity, and geographic expansion into practical distribution strategies and measurable execution plans.
This position balances strategic network design with hands-on operating discipline. The Director oversees core inventory positions at distribution centers, middle mile freight considerations from manufacturers to distribution centers, master distribution agreements, service-level performance, promotional readiness and sunset, obsolescence mitigation, and distributor readiness for new markets. The role requires a strong, established, hungry leader who can bring structure, analytics, commercial judgment, and cross-functional leadership to a fast-growing franchise system.
As we continue to grow, our strategies have set us up for success to be the top offering in Chicken Fingerz, Boneless Wings, and Zalads. We?d love to have you as part of our team!
Benefits Include
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Company-Paid Disability, Critical Illness, and Basic Life Insurance
- 401K with Company Match
- 50% Off Meal Discount at Company-Owned Locations
- Parental Leave
- Child Care Assistance
- Education Assistance Program
- PTO and 9 Company Holidays + 2 Floating Holidays
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Essential duties may include but are not limited to the following:
- Develop and execute the enterprise distribution and logistics strategy for food, packaging, supplies, and promotional items across the Zaxbys restaurant network.
- Own end-to-end distribution performance from supplier ship point through distributor warehousing, outbound routing, restaurant delivery, and restaurant acceptance of product.
- Lead strategic relationships with distributor partners, including operating cadence, executive business reviews, service level expectations, issue escalation, network capacity, and continuous improvement.
- Oversee distributor inventory positions at distribution centers, including core item days-on-hand targets, safety stock, replenishment discipline, forecast accuracy, inventory turns, shortage prevention, and excess/obsolete inventory mitigation.
- Partner with Planning, Procurement, Culinary, Marketing, Operations, Finance, Food Safety & Quality, suppliers, and distributors to ensure launch readiness for new products, limited-time offers, packaging changes, menu transitions, and market tests.
- Ensure promotional readiness and sunset execution by aligning forecasts, production timelines, distributor inventory builds, allocation rules, depletion strategies, substitution plans, and obsolescence controls.
- Lead the company approach to final mile distribution economics, including case fee structures, market-level rate negotiations, delivery frequency, minimums, accessorial charges, fuel, service requirements, and cost-to-serve transparency.
- Manage middle mile freight considerations from manufacturer to distribution center, including freight ownership, 3PL strategy, lane optimization, freight cost visibility, consolidation opportunities, and carrier performance.
- Support new market and restaurant growth by partnering with distributor partners to scale into new geographies, validate DC capacity, establish routing and delivery models, and ensure operational readiness ahead of openings.
- Monitor and improve key distribution KPIs including on-time delivery, fill rate, order accuracy, inventory availability, case fee economics, inbound freight performance, claims, damages, temperature compliance, and restaurant service issues.
- Lead resolution of distribution disruptions, product shortages, service failures, delivery issues, weather events, distributor capacity constraints, inbound freight delays, and other supply chain risks.
- Build and maintain governance for distributor agreements, service level agreements, scorecards, fee changes, savings initiatives, standard operating procedures, business continuity plans, and accountability routines.
- Partner with Procurement and suppliers to evaluate packaging, pallet configuration, order quantities, lead times, production schedules, redistribution opportunities, and logistics tradeoffs that affect cost, service, and restaurant execution.
- Prepare executive reporting on distribution network performance, case fee movement, freight spend, service levels, inventory health, promotional readiness, risks, and strategic initiatives.
- Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing distribution and logistics team; set performance expectations, build capability, clarify decision rights, and create a culture of urgency, ownership, analytical rigor, and partnership.
KEY COMPETENCIES
- Seasoned distribution, logistics, transportation, or supply chain leader with strong experience in foodservice, QSR, restaurant, multi-unit retail, CPG, distributor, 3PL, or perishable goods environments.
- Deep understanding of third-party distributor operating models, DC inventory management, restaurant delivery networks, outbound routing, warehouse execution, and final mile service economics.
- Strong commercial capability with experience negotiating distribution agreements, case fee structures, accessorials, fuel mechanisms, service levels, and cost-to-serve tradeoffs.
- Working knowledge of inbound and middle mile freight, including supplier-to-DC lanes, freight ownership models, carrier/3PL management, consolidation, scheduling, and freight cost drivers.
- Demonstrated ability to support growth into new geographies by evaluating distribution network capacity, market readiness, service requirements, risk, and implementation plans.
- Strong analytical mindset with fluency in inventory KPIs, service KPIs, forecasting inputs, distribution cost models, freight data, dashboards, and executive-level performance reporting.
- Proven ability to lead cross-functional launch readiness and promotional inventory management while minimizing shortages, excess inventory, and obsolescence.
- Ability to influence distributor partners, suppliers, franchisees, restaurant operators, and internal senior leaders with clear facts, practical recommendations, and strong follow-through.
- Strong problem-solving and risk management skills; able to quickly diagnose root causes and lead corrective actions across suppliers, distributors, carriers, and restaurants.
- High accountability, high urgency, and low ego; comfortable operating in a fast-growth or evolving environment with a mix of strategic planning and hands-on execution.
- Experience managing foodservice distributor relationships, restaurant delivery networks, perishable inventory, inbound freight, or multi-DC networks strongly preferred.
- Experience negotiating distributor economics, case fee agreements, freight contracts, service levels, or 3PL agreements strongly preferred.
- Experience supporting new restaurant or market growth, promotional product launches, LTOs, and inventory depletion/sunset planning preferred.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE GUIDELINES
- Education: Bachelor?s degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Transportation, Business Administration, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, or related field required; advanced degree or relevant certifications such as CSCP, CLTD, CPSM, Lean Six Sigma, or related supply chain credentials preferred
- Experience: 7-10 years of progressive experience in distribution, logistics, transportation, inventory management, supply chain operations, or related leadership roles; 5+ years leading teams, distributor/3PL relationships, transportation networks, or complex logistics programs
PAY RANGE
$145,000 - $185,000
Zaxby?s Franchising LLC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment decisions based on any factor protected by federal, state, or local law.
