Meagan Elkes
Wilmington
Summary
Senior business executive with extensive leadership experience driving growth, profitability, and operational excellence across diverse sectors. Demonstrated success in managing multi-million-dollar portfolios, negotiating contracts, and leading transformative initiatives to enhance performance and profitability.
Overview
1
1
Certification
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Operations | Southeast Region
NFI
11.2024 - Current
- Lead a multi-site portfolio exceeding $120M in annual revenue, serving as the executive relationship owner for strategic customer accounts while overseeing financial performance, contract execution, operational governance, and long-term growth initiatives.
- Direct business operations generating more than $120M in annual revenue across a portfolio representing over 20% of regional revenue and 13% of regional operating income.
- Led turnaround of an underperforming operation from a loss position to more than 11% profitability within ten months.
- Designed and executed Project Phoenix, a business transformation initiative that increased throughput by 28%, reduced labor cost per case by 15%, and improved operational performance.
- Delivered $278K above revenue plan and $138K above operating income plan while improving operating margins by 124 basis points.
- Managed executive-level customer relationships and service agreements, facilitated governance reviews, and led contract performance discussions to support strategic growth initiatives.
- Developed business cases and financial analyses, providing strategic recommendations to senior leadership for informed investment and operational decisions.
- Partnered with Finance, Legal, Human Resources, Engineering, Transportation, and executive stakeholders to drive strategic initiatives and address operational risks.
- Successfully launched a new warehouse operation in under 90 days, supporting network expansion and customer growth objectives.
Regional Director of Operations
CJ Logistics America
10.2022 - 11.2024
- Provided strategic leadership for regional distribution network, enhancing support for multiple customers and facilities throughout Southeast.
- Directed strategic planning, operational governance, financial performance, and customer relationship management activities.
- Led business operations and customer partnerships across 15+ facilities, fostering collaboration and alignment with organizational goals.
- Collaborated with executive leadership and customers to identify growth opportunities, enhancing service delivery and fortifying long-term relationships.
- Reduced operating expenses by 35% through process optimization and workforce strategy initiatives.
- Developed leadership succession programs that improved organizational capability and internal talent mobility.
Director of Warehouse Strategy and Execution
Ingersoll Rand
04.2022 - 10.2022
- Led strategic initiatives to enhance operational performance, optimize inventory, and develop workforce capabilities.
- Developed business improvement strategies to drive organizational growth and strengthen financial performance.
- Partnered with cross-functional stakeholders to implement large-scale operational initiatives that improved collaboration and execution.
Shipping Director – Finished Products
Hayward Pool Products
09.2021 - 04.2022
- Directed distribution operations to enhance customer fulfillment and optimize network performance.
- Managed stakeholder relationships to ensure alignment across operations, transportation, and customer service.
- Led cross-functional teams to develop innovative pool product solutions.
- Oversaw strategic planning and execution of market expansion initiatives.
- Managed budget allocation for product development and marketing campaigns.
Senior Operations Manager
Amazon
08.2020 - 09.2021
- Led large-scale fulfillment operations to enhance customer experience, increase productivity, ensure quality, and drive workforce engagement.
- Managed large teams and operational budgets to meet performance and service objectives effectively.
- Led cross-functional teams to optimize operational workflows and improve efficiency.
- Streamlined inventory management processes using advanced tracking systems.
- Developed training programs for staff to enhance productivity and knowledge.
Continuous Improvement Senior Manager
CJ Logistics America
06.2019 - 08.2020
- Led improvement initiatives across warehousing, transportation, inventory management, and customer operations, enhancing overall operational effectiveness.
- Developed executive dashboards, KPI frameworks, and performance reporting systems, enabling data-driven strategic decision-making.
- Led logistics operations to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
- Managed cross-functional teams to streamline supply chain processes.
- Developed training programs for staff on operational best practices.
Purchasing & Logistics Development Project Manager
Volvo Group
08.2016 - 01.2017
- Led cross-functional business initiatives across operations, supply chain, IT, and finance teams to enhance project alignment.
- Developed implementation plans, stakeholder communications, risk mitigation strategies, and project governance structures to ensure successful project execution.
- Led cross-functional teams to deliver project milestones on time.
- Managed project schedules and resources effectively throughout project lifecycle.
- Coordinated with stakeholders to gather requirements and ensure alignment.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Organizational Strategy & Innovation
Capella University
Master of Science - Strategic Leadership
Western Governors University
MIT MicroMasters - Supply Chain Analytics
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Skills
- Financial oversight
- Budget forecasting
- Operational efficiency
- Revenue strategies
- Strategic partnerships
- Business development
- Contract negotiation
- Account management
- Portfolio management
- Cross-functional leadership
- Stakeholder management
- Planning strategy
- Presentation skills
- Relationship management
Certification
- FP&A Professional (FPAP)
- Microsoft Excel Expert
- Diversity & Inclusion Leadership Certifications
LANGUAGES
American Sign Language (ASL) – Professional Working Proficiency
Timeline
Director of Operations | Southeast Region
NFI
11.2024 - Current
Regional Director of Operations
CJ Logistics America
10.2022 - 11.2024
Director of Warehouse Strategy and Execution
Ingersoll Rand
04.2022 - 10.2022
Shipping Director – Finished Products
Hayward Pool Products
09.2021 - 04.2022
Senior Operations Manager
Amazon
08.2020 - 09.2021
Continuous Improvement Senior Manager
CJ Logistics America
06.2019 - 08.2020
Purchasing & Logistics Development Project Manager
Volvo Group
08.2016 - 01.2017
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Organizational Strategy & Innovation
Capella University
Master of Science - Strategic Leadership
Western Governors University
MIT MicroMasters - Supply Chain Analytics
Massachusetts Institute of Technology