Group Leader, DC Operations - NPI

Johnson & Johnson•Jacksonville, FL

9d•Onsite

About The Position

At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at jnj.com . As guided by Our Credo, Johnson & Johnson is responsible to our employees who work with us throughout the world. We provide an inclusive work environment where each person is considered as an individual. At Johnson & Johnson, we respect the diversity and dignity of our employees and recognize their merit. Job Function: Supply Chain Deliver Job Sub Function: Warehouse & Distribution Job Category: People Leader All Job Posting Locations: Jacksonville, Florida, United States of America Job Description: Johnson & Johnson is recruiting for a Group Leader, DC Operations - NPI to join our Vision Care team in Jacksonville, FL. About Vision Fueled by innovation at the intersection of biology and technology, we’re developing the next generation of smarter, less invasive, more personalized treatments. Are you passionate about improving and expanding on the possibilities of vision treatments? Ready to join a team that’s reimagining how vision is improved? Our Vision team solves the toughest health challenges. Help combine cutting-edge insights, science, technology, and people to encourage eye care professionals and patients to proactively protect, correct and enhance healthy sight for life. Our products and services address these needs – from the pediatric to aging eye – in a patient’s lifetime. Your unique talents will help patients on their journey to wellness. Learn more at https://www.jnj.com/medtech Purpose: Spearheads our New Product Launch Readiness initiatives within the Distribution Center. This role is critical to ensuring our DC is fully prepared to efficiently receive, store, pick, pack, and ship all new product introductions (NPIs) from the moment they arrive. You will be the central operational point of contact guaranteeing a smooth and compliant flow of new goods, directly impacting customer satisfaction and speed-to-market.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Operations Management, Logistics, Industrial Engineering, or a related field; equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.
3+ years of progressive experience in Distribution Center or Warehouse Operations, with direct exposure to receiving, putaway, inventory management, picking, and shipping processes.
Demonstrated experience supporting New Product Introductions (NPI), product launches, or SKU onboarding within a DC or fulfillment environment.
Strong working knowledge of Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), including SKU setup, location management, system‑directed putaway, and picking logic.
Proven ability to translate upstream product and volume information into executable operational plans.
Experience coordinating cross‑functionally with Product, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams.
Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret operational data, identify bottlenecks, and drive process improvements.
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to clearly train frontline teams and provide concise status updates to stakeholders.
Ability to manage multiple launches or initiatives simultaneously while meeting aggressive readiness timelines.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and standard reporting tools.

Nice To Haves

Experience in high‑volume, fast‑paced distribution or eCommerce fulfillment environments.
Prior ownership of launch readiness, dock‑to‑stock performance, or startup operations within a DC.
Familiarity with slotting optimization, labor planning, and capacity modeling for new SKUs.
Experience supporting kits, bundles, or products with special handling or packaging requirements.
Lean or continuous improvement training
Experience working with 3PL‑operated distribution centers
Exposure to quality control processes and defect reduction initiatives in warehouse environments.

Responsibilities

Act as the primary DC operations lead for all new product introductions, managing the operational readiness process for 10-15 launches annually.
Collaborate proactively with Product Development, Merchandising, Sales, and Supply Chain teams up to 8-12 weeks prior to launch to understand incoming NPI volume, SKU attributes (dimensions, weight, special handling), and launch timelines.
Translate NPI requirements into actionable DC operational plans, identifying potential bottlenecks in receiving, putaway, storage, and picking for new SKUs.
Ensure all necessary DC resources (space, equipment, labor, WMS setup) are allocated and prepared to handle NPIs on time, aiming for 99%+ readiness prior to first receipt.
Develop and implement specific receiving, putaway, and inventory slotting strategies for new products to optimize flow and minimize touchpoints within the DC.
Work closely with the WMS & inventory team to ensure accurate setup of new SKUs, including location assignments, picking profiles, and system-directed putaway rules, targeting zero system errors for NPIs.
Design and validate picking paths and packing configurations for new products, particularly for kits, bundles, or unique packaging requirements.
Establish quality control checkpoints specific to NPI to identify damages or discrepancies upon arrival, achieving <0.1% defect rate for NPI receipts.
Conduct pre-shift briefs and training sessions for DC staff on new product characteristics, handling procedures, and safety protocols relevant to NPIs.
Maintain clear and consistent communication channels with all internal stakeholders, providing regular updates on NPI receipt status, inventory levels, and any operational challenges.
Monitor and report on NPI performance metrics within the DC, such as dock-to-stock time for new items, putaway accuracy, picking efficiency for initial orders, and packaging compliance.
Analyze initial NPI throughput data to identify and implement continuous improvements for subsequent launches, aiming for a 5-10% efficiency gain on each launch cycle.
Participate in post-launch reviews to capture lessons learned and refine standard operating procedures (SOPs) for future new product initiatives.
Other duties as assigned by manager