Operations Director Jobs in Kentucky
Operations Director jobs in Kentucky concentrate in logistics and distribution, healthcare systems, manufacturing, and bourbon and food production, with demand running from mid-level operations managers stepping up to seasoned executives overseeing multi-site facilities. Louisville, Lexington, and the Northern Kentucky corridor anchoring Cincinnati are the most active hiring metros, and large employers like Humana, Toyota Manufacturing, and UPS Supply Chain Solutions have a sustained presence that generates consistent openings. Supply chain leadership, process improvement, and healthcare operations are the most in-demand specialties across the state. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Explore your next opportunity at a Fortune Global 500 organization. Envision innovative possibilities, experience our rewarding culture, and work with talented teams that help you become better every day. We know what it takes to lead UPS into tomorrow—people with a unique combination of skill + passion. If you have the qualities and drive to lead yourself or teams, there are roles ready to cultivate your skills and take you to the next level.
Job Description:
We’re one of the world’s largest providers of transportation and logistics services. Our customers range from small and mid-sized companies up to global enterprises. Our Healthcare Logistics and Distribution business unit provides comprehensive logistics services and warehousing solutions utilizing a global network of distribution centers, innovative technology and supply chain expertise to manage the flow of goods from receiving to storage and order processing to shipment.
UPS Healthcare is seeking a highly accomplished and strategic operations leader to direct complex healthcare logistics and distribution operations across a multi-site network. This role serves as the senior operational leader responsible for driving customer success, operational excellence, financial performance, regulatory compliance, and business growth across multiple healthcare distribution facilities.
The HLD Director acts as a trusted strategic partner to customers, leading large-scale healthcare supply chain operations that support mission-critical patient and product flows. This leader will champion continuous improvement, develop and inspire high-performing teams, and collaborate across Sales, Engineering, Quality, Transportation, Automation, Customer Success, and other cross-functional partners to deliver innovative, scalable, and customer-centric solutions.
The successful candidate will provide leadership across a significant geographic portfolio, with accountability for operational execution, customer satisfaction, employee engagement, quality and compliance performance, profitability, and long-term strategic planning. This role requires a proven ability to lead complex operations, build strong customer relationships, drive organizational performance, and execute growth strategies in a highly regulated healthcare environment.
Responsibilities and Duties
- Manages the daily responsibilities of up to 13 facilities to include more than 20 customers, 40 management personnel, and 500 hourly employees
- Develops, executes, and monitors operational strategy and processes through goals and standards to drive efficiency while ensuring customer satisfaction and compliance
- Ensures that operations are meeting customer service level agreements and acts as UPS ambassador to customers participating in functional calls on operational performance
- Monitors and presents monthly financial performance to review account-level profit and loss statements, and provides operational guidance for revenue growth, cost containment, and achievement of target margins
- Monitors operational reporting to ensure that performance expectations are met and that operations adhere to internal standards, policies, procedures, and defined goals
- Assesses quality control analysis and identifies areas for operational improvement
- Works cross-functionally and collaborates with internal and external key stakeholders and vendors
- Partners closely with Commercial, Solutions, Engineering, Quality, and Transportation teams to support new business implementation, network optimization, and customer growth opportunities.
Oversees the training, performance, development and succession planning of team members Qualifications
- Experience managing multiple worksites simultaneously
- Experience managing multiple technologies to include warehouse management systems and warehouse automation
- Experience having direct customer interactions
- Healthcare, pharmaceutical, medical device, life sciences, or regulated supply chain experience
- Experience with warehouse automation, robotics, advanced WMS platforms, and operational technologies.
- Six Sigma, Lean, or continuous improvement certification.
- Experience supporting new business launches, customer implementations, or network expansion projects.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in logistics, distribution, supply chain, healthcare logistics, manufacturing, or related operations.
- Experience leading large-scale distribution and logistics operations.
- Proven experience managing multiple facilities and operational sites.
- Demonstrated leadership experience with responsibility for developing and leading large teams.
- Healthcare logistics or supply chain experience preferred.
Additional Candidate Information:
- Job Grade: 40F
- Candidates must currently reside within the geographic area or be willing to relocate.
- This is an onsite position requiring in-office presence five days per week.
- Travel is required and may include visits to Louisville, Kentucky, as well as customer locations throughout the United States.
- Relocation Package Offered
Employee Type:
PermanentUPS is committed to providing a workplace free of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
Other Criteria:
UPS is an equal opportunity employer. UPS does not discriminate on the basis of race/color/religion/sex/national origin/veteran/disability/age/sexual orientation/gender identity or any other characteristic protected by law.
Basic Qualifications:
Must be a U.S. Citizen or National of the U.S., an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence, or an alien authorized to work in the U.S. for this employer.
Relocation Assistance AvailableSee All 19 Operations Director Jobs in Kentucky
Find roles in Kentucky that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Operations Director JobsOperations Director Jobs by City in Kentucky
Where Kentucky roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Operations Director Job Market in Kentucky
A snapshot from current Kentucky openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Education
What Kentucky Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in operations director jobs across Kentucky.
- Bachelor's degree in business, operations management, or a closely related field
- Proven leadership experience managing teams across multiple operational functions
- Demonstrated experience with lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies
- Strong background in budget management, cost control, and financial reporting
- Experience with supply chain coordination, vendor management, or logistics oversight
- Proficiency with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, or similar enterprise platforms
Operations Director Jobs in Kentucky: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a operations director in Kentucky?
Most operations director roles in Kentucky require a bachelor's degree in business administration, operations management, or a related field, and several years of progressive leadership experience. No state-issued license is required for the role itself, but candidates moving into healthcare operations may need familiarity with Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services compliance requirements. Employers typically promote from operations manager or plant manager roles, and a Six Sigma Green or Black Belt credential carries weight with Kentucky manufacturers and logistics companies.
Which companies hire operations directors in Kentucky?
Employers hiring operations directors in Kentucky right now include UPS, Levata, and UniQure, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Kentucky's mix of large distribution centers, automotive manufacturers, and regional healthcare networks means demand is spread across multiple sectors rather than concentrated in a single industry.
Which Kentucky cities have the most operations director jobs?
Louisville, Lexington, and Paducah account for the most operations director openings in Kentucky. Louisville leads because it is home to major logistics hubs, healthcare headquarters, and a large manufacturing base, while Lexington draws openings from healthcare systems and horse industry suppliers, and the Northern Kentucky cities benefit from their proximity to Cincinnati and the concentration of distribution and corporate operations facilities along the I-71 and I-75 corridors.
Are there remote operations director jobs in Kentucky?
Yes, but they're relatively limited. Operations director work is fundamentally tied to managing facilities, staff, and supply chains on the ground, which makes fully remote arrangements uncommon compared to purely analytical roles. About 50% of operations director openings tied to Kentucky are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and where flexibility exists it tends to apply to the reporting, planning, and vendor coordination portions of the job rather than day-to-day site oversight.
How can I get hired as a operations director in Kentucky with little or no experience?
The most realistic path is moving up from an operations supervisor or plant manager role at a Kentucky employer, building a record of process improvement and team leadership before pursuing director-level openings. Companies like Toyota Manufacturing in Georgetown and Lexington Medical Center run structured leadership development programs that identify high-potential managers for advancement. Earning a Six Sigma Green Belt or a Project Management Professional credential while in a mid-level role signals readiness for the director level and is frequently cited in Kentucky postings as a differentiating qualification.
Where can I find and apply to operations director jobs in Kentucky?
You can find and apply to operations director jobs in Kentucky on Migrate Mate, which lists current Kentucky openings across industries including logistics, manufacturing, healthcare, and corporate operations. Search the listings to find roles that match your background and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 19 Operations Director Jobs in Kentucky
Find roles in Kentucky that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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