Jason Blackford
Portland,OR
Summary
Dynamic and efficiency-focused leader passionate about talent development, mentorship, and people-first leadership. Over 11 years of experience in supply chain management, consistently delivering record-breaking results in safety, efficiency, talent retention, profitability, and leadership development. Expertise in big-picture planning, combined with a commitment to metrics-driven innovation and process improvement, ensures a holistic approach to success. Proven track record of fostering an environment that prioritizes growth and continuous improvement at every level.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Warehouse Senior Site Leader
PepsiCo
2023.12 - Current
- Earned top scorecard ranking in 2025 among Pepsi warehouses in the Western Division, driving movement from 51st to 1st by focusing on critical metrics for process efficiency and safety. Delivered a $161,000 decrease in operating expenses relative to planned goals.
- Took individual initiative to design, propose, and implement a site-wide re-racking project that measurably improved both efficiency and capacity, with a sub 4 year ROI.
- Drove reduction of injuries 66% YoY recordable injury rate from 42% to 8% over two years by fostering a "safety first" culture and implementing comprehensive operational guidelines.
- Directed site-wide SAP implementation, collaborating with peer-led departments to ensure seamless integration. Developed and executed a comprehensive rollout strategy while leading communication across all major site divisions. Mentored process owners and navigated initial resistance to enhance system utilization and process efficiency.
- Consistently surpassed operational and financial targets by implementing strategic forecasting and planning for global initiatives. Drove intentional execution of strategies while fostering leadership development among team members. Developed and shared key efficiency strategies that enhanced operations in peer warehouses.
- Designed and facilitated Pepsi's pioneering market aspiring leadership program, preparing 26 emerging leaders for subsequent leadership opportunities.
- Implemented strategic analysis of past sales data to enhance inventory forecasting, achieving top site ranking in S&OP and demand planning.
- Drove reduction of voluntary turnover from 181% to below 15% through enhanced hiring practices, training programs, and employee relations initiatives.
- Spearheaded comprehensive changes to processes for receiving product, equipment utilization and layout, improved pick route mapping, inventory management, and dock processes.
- Created Preferred Methods Playbooks for each individual workgroup and associated rollout training, coached teams, and drove nationwide adoption across Pepsi warehouse market.
Operations Director
Dateline Exports
2022.07 - 2023.07
- Led day-to-day operations of a $66m annual wholesale export distributor, overseeing warehouse, logistics, purchasing, IT, and leadership development.
- Led global ERP transformation initiative by proposing and sourcing vendors. Crafted executive proposal and managed comprehensive rollout across the organization to drive significant efficiency and profitability improvements. Established system standard operating procedures and facilitated training to address user change resistance.
- Saved company over $100k within first three months by optimizing space utilization, leveraging unused assets. and increasing operational efficiency.
- Initiated mission, vision, and core values statement development with executive leadership, improving management alignment and employee performance consistency.
- Established clear policies regarding attendance, conduct, resource usage, and more to ensure fairness and improve employee engagement scores by 20 points.
- Managed intricate shipping networks, addressing damaged and mis-shipped items while bolstering vendor and customer relations through effective communication across in-house and 3PL operations.
- Implemented innovative storage and routing solutions to enhance efficiency and minimize downtime, supporting overall operational effectiveness.
Operations Manager
Target Regional Distribution Center
2019.06 - 2021.04
- Expertly led a team of 100+ associates split between two departments, including a 3PL team of 20+ associates.
- Reduced injury rates from 34/yr avg to less than 1/yr avg while increasing productivity by utilizing GEMBA board to track safety, quality, cycle time, and productivity to develop strategies used site-wide.
- Spearheaded development of a more efficient full pallet pick function, increasing hourly performance by over 20 percent and saving 120 labor hours/wk avg. This initiative was adopted by the entire Western Region Division.
- Utilized performance metrics to drive daily standard work audits, waste audits, and safety observations.
- Created a company-wide change initiative by leading a small team of peers to create and implement a new management system. Developed and presented system and training tools a group of over thirty pyramid-wide organizational members consisting of group VP’s and site directors.
- Achieved a shipping accuracy rate of 99.9% through the development of effective tracking tools for quality information. Improved overall reliability and consistency across the site, leading to a notable decrease in shipping errors and defects compared to the company average of 98.6%.
- Liaised with and coached in-house 3PL team through building strong relationships with leadership to improve their processes and build overall multi-team cohesiveness.
- Cultivated personnel into diverse roles, including trainers, safety team members, security specialists, and operations managers through strategic action plans.
Operations Assistant Store Manager
The Home Depot
2012.07 - 2019.07
- Assisted in managing a team of 185 retail associates and 19 department supervisors.
- Trained, mentored, developed, and promoted qualified associates to earned positions.
- Achieved consistent top performance by identifying opportunities and developing goal-oriented solutions. Exceeded operational and sales goals all four years.
- Served in the Center of Excellence and training center, developing and delivering comprehensive training programs to enhance skills of over thirty peer leaders across multiple districts.
- Facilitated equipment training, certifying over 300 individuals on lift equipment within three years.
Education
AS - Business Management
Portland Community College
Portland, OR2009-01
Skills
- Lean six sigma
- Training and continuous improvement/GEMBA
- Talent mentoring and development
- Safety training and culture development
- Environmental and regulatory compliance
- ERP/SAP/WMS implementation and training
- Large-scale transformation program development and planning
- Policy, SOP, and Playbook creation and rollout
- Inventory management
- Customer service excellence
- Performance and conflict management
- Microsoft office suite
- POS and Kronos/timekeeping systems
- Demand, supply, sales, and operations forecasting
- Executive and training presentation design and delivery
- Creative problem solving
- Strategic communication
- Team building and management
Timeline
Warehouse Senior Site Leader
PepsiCo
2023.12 - Current
Operations Director
Dateline Exports
2022.07 - 2023.07
Operations Manager
Target Regional Distribution Center
2019.06 - 2021.04
Operations Assistant Store Manager
The Home Depot
2012.07 - 2019.07
AS - Business Management
Portland Community College
Key Achievements
Top Warehouse Ranking
Elevated warehouse site from 51st (last) to 1st in company metrics scorecard.
Injury Reduction Success
Achieved 66% reduction in workplace injuries within one year through safety initiatives.
Turnover Reduction Achievement
Reduced voluntary turnover from 181% to less than 15% in one year.
Expense Reduction Expert
Saved company over $160k in one fiscal year by surpassing planned operational goals.
Led Multiple Global Transition Projects
Planned, implemented, and supported multiple global projects including SAP and WMS transitions.
Developed and Led Leadership Program
Co-developed and chaired program that prepared future leaders for success in management positions.