ODW Logistics Employee Spotlight | Dusty Martin

Dusty Martin is the Director of Operations for ODW Logistics, where he oversees 4 of our Columbus, Ohio Distribution Centers. We sat down with Dusty to learn more about the impact his role has on ODW and our clients.

1. What’s your background and previous work experience?

When I graduated college from the University of Cincinnati I ended of working for Enterprise-Rent-a-car for 6 years where I ran a rental branch and ultimately moved into their logistics department. However there was not many opportunities for advancement in the logistics department. I ended up getting a job with Exel (now DHL) and worked for them for 6 years where I started as an Operations Supervisor and was promoted through the ranks to Senior Operations Manager.

2. What does your job entail and what are you responsible for?

Being the Director of Operations allows me to wear many different hats. First and foremost, I help to maintain the company culture through the Company Values of Respect, Trust, Team, and Opportunity. I help to train and develop the leaders of tomorrow through Servant Leadership. I manage the customer experience and am an escalation point if necessary. I also help to manage the P&L’s, provide continuous improvement opportunities for my buildings and organization, and negotiate contracts for current customers as well as potential new customers.

3. Give one example of how your work drives value / efficiency / or cost savings to our clients.  

In 2021 when I was the General Manager of one of our automated e-commerce distribution centers, my team created a Continuous Improvement Program that saved our client $2.5 Million in labor savings from 2020 to 2021. This Continuous Improvement Program helped our operation be nominated and win the Most Improved Operation at the annual ODW Logistics' Ranger Awards this year and is currently being rolled out to all of ODWs' Distribution Centers.

4. What is a 2022 workplan / project / or goal you are delivering?

Currently, I am partnering with the Continuous Improvement and Solutions teams to roll out an hourly dashboard that provides a visual building update about how the pulse of an operation is being ran from the headcount to throughput numbers. This will help to provide guidance for our operations to effectively manage their buildings.

5. What else would you like to share about your role with ODW Logistics?

What I really enjoy about my role is that I am constantly moving and helping others grow and learn. With the amount of growth we have seen in the last 6 years, we need leaders to be able to grow with us and I am happy to help them get there.

6. Outside of work what are your hobbies or activities you enjoy?

Outside of work I enjoy taking my 14-year-old son to live sporting events like the Blue Jackets and Clippers games. I enjoy reading and working out, and I am currently working on my Masters of Science in Business Psychology.