Joe Heron

Operations Manager with over 8+ years of experience in optimizing transportation and operations processes and workflow efficiency. Proficient in Excel, SQL, data analysis, and project management with a strong track record of driving informed business decisions through complex data set analysis. Skilled in collaborative project management and innovative tech solutions, consistently achieving enhanced productivity and operational excellence.

Slotting Operations Manager - Harbor Freight Tools - Elwood, IL, US

(2022-05 - 2025-06)

Collaborated with engineers, project managers, and data analysts to design, implement, and scale projects and processes within the distribution center and across the network.

• Partnered with IT teams to enhance Warehouse Management System (WMS) functionality, optimizing slotting logic, improving system accuracy, and increasing operational efficiency.
• Reduced bulk picking labor by 10% by optimizing slot locations based on product velocity and size.
• Developed automation tools in Excel and SQL to streamline slotting analysis, reducing manual effort and increasing accuracy.
• Collaborated with supply chain teams to align slotting decisions with inbound shipment schedules and demand forecasting.
• Utilized SQL to extract and analyze large datasets, identifying trends to inform slotting and inventory placement decisions.
• Developed SOP documentation to standardize processes across the network and enhance workflow efficiency.
• Oversaw cross-functional projects using Workfront to ensure seamless coordination and execution across departments.
• Trained and mentored team members on slotting principles and WMS functionalities to enhance execution and adherence to best practices.
• Led regular meetings with senior leadership, providing updates and insights on slotting performance, trends, and opportunities for process improvements

Receive Area Manager - Amazon - Joliet, IL, US

(2021-06 - 2022-05)

Managed daily operations of the inbound dock and pallet receive while coordinating with downstream departments to ensure the building maintained a consistent flow.

• Worked with tech teams to build tools to track current and predict future carton production in order to inform adjustments in staffing, freight mix, etc.
• Restructured manager department ownership to consolidate processes into a single point of ownership and allow for easier decision making.
• Set record dock cost for the building though managing productivity and headcount; 187 cartons per labor hour over a goal of 120.

Transportation Area Manager - Amazon - Monee/Aurora/Joliet, IL, US

(2019-09 - 2021-06)

Oversaw the transportation at buildings processing an average of 1.2 million units daily.

• Hired, trained and led OTR drivers, with oversight of a team of 112.
• Ensured adherence to DOT regulations and Amazon safety policies.
• Managed the transportation operations of faculties though managers and shift leads.
• Collaborate with Operations management to set expectations of performance metrics.
• Develop managers in both their leadership skills and career through regular 1 on 1 coaching.
• Implemented new schedules in order to match labor hours to business needs in turn increasing productive hours.
• Worked with operations management to track and drive down the delay from TDR out to move request, starting at an average of 30 minutes down to an average of 1 minute, reducing the effects to operations from dwelling moves.
• Built a metric to track driver unproductive time while considering variations driver speed, resulting in a 15% increase of driver productive time, and a decrease in headcount need of 1 driver each shift.
• Performed over one hundred interviews for the Field Transportation Lead and Transportation Associate positions.

Field Transportation Lead - Amazon - Monee, IL, US

(2018-04 - 2019-09)

• Hired, trained and led OTR drivers.
• Ensured adherence to DOT regulations and Amazon safety policies.
• Performed leadership functions for the transportation team, including regular 1:1 coaching, directing the team as needed during the work day, and performing transportation AM duties when absent.
• Held TOM associates accountable to daily duties and ongoing projects performing adaptive feedback when necessary.
• Interview candidates for the Field Transportation Specialist position.
• Deep dive metrics to find areas of improvement and create tools and reports to drive changes; created a daily trailer pool report for Transportation Specialist to track trailer pool defects and what escalation is needed to avoid putting loads at risk.
• Routinely revaluate shift schedules to ensure that all TOM functions have sufficient coverage.
• Coordinate tractor and trailer repairs with 3rd party vendors.
• Tracked dock caused late departures to identify areas of improvement on the dock.

Field Transportation Specialist - Amazon - Joliet, IL, US

(2017-05 - 2018-04)

• Created an excel sheet to automatically track errors made during check-ins to identify any gaps in training resulting in a 40% decrease in number of check in errors from 50 to 30 per week.
• Standardized the end of shift process to ensure all shifts were communicating effectively.
• Sent weekly reports of expected inbound loads and changes to outbound lanes.
• Hostler SME, trained new hostler drivers and coached on unsafe behaviors.
• Assisted in the launch of DET1 by onboarding and training 10 TOM associates and 2 TOM leads, testing all YMS systems to ensure functionality for launch, and partnering with site safety to implement best practices.

Problem Solver/ISS Rep - Amazon - Joliet, IL, US

(2016-10 - 2017-05)

• Implemented new standard for processing ISS tickets resulting in an increase of 53% tickets resolved per-associate a shift from 65 to 100
• Worked with management to re-invent and simplify the standard of inbound problem solving by creating SOP documents for problem solving functions.

Operations Excellence Bootcamp - Harbor Freight (2024 - 2024)

Generative Conversation Training - Harbor Freight (2023 - 2023)

Supply Chain Engineering: Automating Processes - Harbor Freight (2022 - 2022)

Leading Leaders - Amazon (2021 - 2021)

Supply Chain Academy - Amazon (2020 - 2020)

Yard Management - Amazon (2017 - 2017)

High School Diploma (2016 - 2016)