Cedric Gray

About Cedric Gray

As a operations and supply chain executive, I lead large-scale distribution, manufacturing, and logistics organizations through transformation, performance recovery, and sustained growth. I bring experience across retail, automotive, and high-volume distribution networks, with a track record of improving productivity, reducing cost, and strengthening safety, quality, service, and cost performance across complex operations.I have led distribution centers handling more than 100M cases annually and directed multi-site manufacturing and supply chain teams supporting global OEMs and major retail networks. My focus is on operational turnaround and continuous improvement, including WMS implementations, network optimization, labor strategy, and process redesign that deliver measurable gains in throughput, cost efficiency, and quality. I am known for stepping into underperforming environments, aligning cross-functional leaders, and driving disciplined execution that moves sites from the bottom of network rankings to top-tier performance.Throughout my career, I have supervised large union and non-union workforces, built high-performing leadership teams, and developed multi-year operational and capital strategies. I have executed facility startups, led offshoring and footprint optimization initiatives, and supported M&A integration and due diligence. My leadership approach centers on accountability, visibility on the floor, and data-driven decision-making to create stable operations that scale.I am passionate about building teams that deliver results while maintaining strong safety and quality standards. I value collaboration, operational clarity, and continuous improvement, and I seek opportunities to lead distribution, manufacturing, or supply chain organizations where operational excellence and people leadership drive competitive advantage.

Experience

1. Senior Director, Dc Operations Site

   Academy Sports + Outdoors

   Jan 2022 — Present · Jeffersonville, GA, US

   Selected by SVP of Corporate Operations to lead DC transformation and MAWM WMS implementation, driving batch-picking rollout, a 28% trailer backlog reduction, and a 20% lift in performance and UPH/CPU metrics.* Led high-impact operational turnaround across departments, scaling footwear output 200% YoY while cutting weekly payroll 27%, reducing shifts from two to one, and optimizing reticketing operations with a 55% headcount reduction and 7-day schedule compressed to 4 days.

Education

• Baker University

  Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Management

• Rockhurst University

  Master of Business Administration (MBA), Helzberg Executive Fellows

• Rockhurst University

  Certificate, Leadership Experience