Warehouse Manager

Position Description

The Warehouse Manager is responsible for overseeing and optimizing all warehouse operations, including Logistics, Inbound and Outbound Shipping, Receiving, Material Handling, and Inventory Control. This role ensures the effective use of people, processes, equipment, and resources to achieve operational, safety, quality, service, and cost objectives.

The Warehouse Manager will drive a culture of accountability and continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce waste, strengthen processes, and maximize available resources through collaboration with employees, cross-functional partners, and other available sources of operational insight.

Key Responsibilities 

• Lead and manage all warehouse functions, including Logistics, Inbound and Outbound Shipping, Receiving, Material Handling, and Inventory Control, ensuring effective execution of operational and personnel policies, procedures, and company standards.

• Lead, coach, and mentor the warehouse leadership team, ensuring leaders have the skills, resources, and accountability necessary to effectively manage their teams and achieve departmental objectives.

• Provide guidance and support to leaders in employee development, performance management, engagement, and workforce planning.

• Establish appropriate staffing levels and workforce plans in partnership with Human Resources and department leadership to support operational requirements.

• Ensure employees receive appropriate onboarding, training, cross-training, and ongoing development necessary to safely and effectively perform their roles.

• Evaluate employee and leadership performance, provide ongoing feedback, and complete performance assessments in accordance with company expectations.

• Make recommendations regarding employment decisions, including hiring, promotion, performance improvement, disciplinary action, and termination, in partnership with Human Resources.

• Safeguard warehouse operations, inventory, equipment, and facilities by establishing, implementing, and monitoring appropriate security procedures and protocols.

• Maintain accurate inventory levels and records through effective inventory control processes, cycle counts, physical inventories, system reconciliation, and investigation of discrepancies.

• Oversee the timely and accurate coordination, receipt, storage, movement, and distribution of inbound and outbound materials.

• Partner closely with Production, Supply Chain, Customer Service, Purchasing, Maintenance, Quality, EHS, and other functions to ensure production requirements and customer expectations are consistently met.

• Establish and adjust work procedures, priorities, and schedules to effectively respond to business needs, production requirements, customer expectations, and changes in workload.

• Monitor warehouse capacity, workflow, equipment utilization, and physical layout; identify and implement improvements that enhance safety, efficiency, organization, and utilization of space.

• Maintain the physical condition and functionality of the warehouse by inspecting equipment and facilities, coordinating repairs and work orders, and submitting requisitions for replacement equipment or materials as needed.

• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe warehouse, office, and surrounding work environment consistent with company standards and applicable regulatory requirements.

• Identify and implement continuous improvement and cost-reduction opportunities across warehouse operations, utilizing employee input, operational data, industry practices, and other available sources of information.

• Recommend improvements to processes, methods, systems, equipment, and workflows to increase productivity, improve service levels, reduce waste, and maximize available resources.

• Research and evaluate emerging warehouse practices, technologies, and industry trends to identify opportunities that support the company's operational objectives.

• Monitor transportation and logistics costs and negotiate rates and service arrangements with common carriers and other transportation providers as appropriate.

• Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and company policies, procedures, and standards; promptly address identified gaps and implement corrective actions as necessary.

• Communicate company policies, procedures, expectations, operational priorities, and business initiatives clearly and consistently throughout the warehouse organization.

• Maintain effective communication and information flow throughout the organization, ensuring relevant information and projects are appropriately communicated both up and down the chain of command.

• Establish and maintain professional, collaborative relationships with internal departments, employees, customers, vendors, carriers, and other external partners.

• Execute and manage the warehouse departmental budget, monitoring expenses and identifying opportunities to operate efficiently while maintaining required service and performance levels.

• Exercise sound independent judgment in addressing operational issues, resolving problems, and making recommendations regarding business practices and departmental priorities.

• Troubleshoot operational challenges and lead or support timely problem-solving and resolution of issues affecting safety, quality, productivity, inventory, service, or cost.

• Formulate, implement, interpret, and recommend modifications to warehouse policies, procedures, processes, and operating practices in alignment with company objectives.

• Stay current on applicable industry standards, best practices, regulatory requirements, and legislative developments affecting warehouse operations.

• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Education & Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations, or a related field; equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive, successful experience in warehouse, logistics, distribution, or materials management, including experience leading people and operational functions.

• Demonstrated experience managing multiple warehouse functions, such as receiving, inventory control, material handling, shipping, logistics, and distribution.

• Demonstrated experience with employee leadership, workforce planning, performance management, and continuous improvement.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong knowledge of warehouse operations, inventory control, material flow, shipping, receiving, logistics, and distribution practices.

• Understanding of freight calculations, dimensional weight, freight estimates, invoices, discounts, percentages, and related transportation costs.

• Demonstrated ability to analyze operational data, identify trends, and make sound business decisions based on available information.

• Strong problem-solving, decision-making, organizational, and time-management skills.

• Ability to identify process inefficiencies and implement practical solutions that improve safety, quality, service, productivity, and cost.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate with employees, leaders, customers, vendors, carriers, and cross-functional partners.

• Ability to lead, coach, develop, and hold employees and leaders accountable for performance and company expectations.

• Experience with warehouse management systems, inventory management systems, RF scanning technology, or similar operational systems.

• Basic knowledge of RF scanner/gun operation and warehouse technology.

• Ability to operate or effectively oversee the use of material handling equipment, including stand-up forklifts.

• Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English.

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing and warehouse environment.

• Ability to work on-site and maintain regular, reliable, and predictable attendance.

Preferred Knowledge, Certifications, Skills & Abilities

• Experience applying Lean, Six Sigma, 5S, Kaizen, or other continuous improvement methodologies.

• Experience in the beauty, cosmetics, personal care, or consumer products industry.

• Experience with AS400 or similar enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.

• Forklift certification or demonstrated experience operating powered industrial trucks.

• OSHA 30 certification.

• HAZWOPER certification.

• Experience implementing warehouse technology, automation, or process improvement initiatives.

• Experience managing transportation providers, carrier relationships, and freight costs.

Travel & Working Conditions

• Primarily based in a manufacturing and warehouse environment with exposure to varying temperatures, dust, noise, and wet conditions.

• Regular interaction with employees and leaders throughout warehouse, manufacturing, and office areas.

• Office work may be performed in a primarily climate-controlled environment.

• Ability to safely navigate warehouse and manufacturing environments, including walking, standing, bending, reaching, and climbing stairs as required.

• Travel requires less than 5% annually, as business needs require.