Company Name

Pasha Group

Search Job Title

Director of Warehouse Operations

Client Profile

The Pasha Group is an 80-year-old, privately held, family-owned logistics and transportation company with a diversified portfolio spanning automotive, maritime, relocation, and supply chain services. With approximately 2,000 employees, the organization operates a highly integrated logistics network that includes ocean vessels, trucking assets, warehousing, and third-party logistics capabilities.

The company’s core business is anchored in the Hawaii trade lane, which represents roughly 80% of its $1.4 billion in annual revenue. Operating within Jones Act trade lanes, Pasha has built a vertically integrated logistics model that includes vessels, drayage operations, auto haulers, and distribution services. This infrastructure allows the organization to provide end-to-end transportation and logistics solutions to a diverse, industry-agnostic customer base.

Culturally, Pasha is defined by long employee tenure, a flat organizational structure, and a strong emphasis on internal promotion and succession planning. The company’s operating model prioritizes collaboration over hierarchy, creating a unique environment where leadership roles require both influence and operational credibility across a decentralized network.

Role Objectives & Challenges

The Director of Warehouse Operations role was a critical leadership hire designed to bring structure, strategy, and accountability to a geographically dispersed warehouse network. The position was responsible for overseeing nationwide warehouse operations, driving performance through KPIs, and aligning warehousing strategy with broader business objectives.

At the time of the search, the organization faced a clear leadership gap. There was no centralized leader overseeing the warehouse network, resulting in fragmented operations and inconsistent performance across sites. Individual locations operated independently without a unified long-term strategy, creating inefficiencies in both owned and leased facilities.

A key challenge was the lack of standardization across the warehouse footprint. The company needed a leader who could evaluate whether the current mix of owned and leased facilities was optimal, while also developing a cohesive strategy for future growth and operational efficiency. This required both strategic thinking and the ability to execute across multiple sites with varying levels of maturity.

Technology was another major constraint. Warehouse operations were heavily reliant on spreadsheets, with no formal warehouse management system in place. Leadership needed a candidate who could lead the implementation of a modern WMS, introduce data-driven decision making, and improve visibility across inventory, throughput, and service levels.

Additionally, the organization lacked a formal continuous improvement framework within warehousing. The new leader would be responsible for identifying process gaps, implementing best practices, and building a culture of operational excellence across the network.

Ultimately, the role required a blend of strategic vision, systems thinking, and hands-on operational leadership. The ideal candidate needed experience managing multi-site warehouse operations, strong financial acumen, and the ability to influence stakeholders across a complex, asset-heavy logistics environment.

Our Approach to Solve the Search

Given the scope and urgency of the need, SCM Talent Group deployed a dedicated two-person search team to support multiple concurrent hiring initiatives for the client. This structure allowed for focused execution while maintaining speed and responsiveness across several open roles.

The search began with a review of internal talent, including a strong candidate based in Baltimore. While this individual demonstrated capability and interest in the role, geographic constraints prevented relocation to the West Coast, which was a critical requirement for the position.

The external search strategy focused heavily on the Los Angeles and broader Southern California market, particularly targeting candidates within the 3PL and port-centric logistics ecosystem. This included professionals with experience in drayage, port operations, and large-scale warehouse networks supporting maritime and transportation operations.

Given the complexity of the role and the client’s limited availability due to competing priorities, the search required a highly structured and proactive approach. Regular communication cadences, including weekly updates and strategy calls, ensured alignment with the Director of Talent Acquisition and the SVP of Logistics throughout the process.

The team prioritized candidates who combined operational leadership experience with exposure to warehouse technology implementations, particularly WMS deployments. This ensured alignment with the client’s need to modernize systems while simultaneously improving day-to-day execution.

The Hire & Results

The search resulted in a highly efficient and successful placement, with SCM Talent Group presenting a slate of five qualified candidates and the client selecting and hiring the first candidate submitted.

The successful hire brought deep experience in warehouse and logistics operations within a competitive, port-centric environment, along with the leadership capability to oversee a multi-site network and implement scalable processes. The individual demonstrated strong alignment with the company’s culture, including the ability to operate within a flat organizational structure and influence across functional boundaries.

Throughout the process, SCM Talent Group maintained a high level of communication and transparency, providing consistent updates and strategic guidance to the client. This consultative approach enabled the client to move quickly and confidently through a thorough vetting process.

The speed, organization, and ability to manage multiple concurrent searches ultimately streamlined the hiring process. By staying ahead of the client’s internal timelines and maintaining a disciplined search structure, SCM Talent Group delivered a high-impact hire that positioned Pasha to modernize its warehouse operations, implement technology improvements, and establish a unified, long-term warehousing strategy.