Fulfillment Area Manager - Safety, Throughput & Team Growth

Area Manager Kannapolis Fulfillment Center | Kannapolis, NC Reports to: Sr. Operations Manager About REBEL REBEL is the first and largest tech platform transforming retail’s $1 trillion returns problem into a smarter, more sustainable model. As the only Certified B Corporation returns recommerce marketplace backed by top-tier investors, we’re leading the returns revolution—partnering with over 2,500 top brands to give shoppers unbeatable deals of up to 70% off on open-box products, while keeping millions of pounds of returns out of landfills every year. Candidates must be able to commute to the fulfillment center location in Kannapolis, NC 4 to 5 days a week.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Safety & Standards Champion a safety-first culture on your shift; ensure 5S discipline is sustained across all zones and hazards are addressed before they become incidents. Lead the corrective action process for safety, quality, and compliance deviations — identify root causes, implement fixes, and verify they hold. Team Leadership & Labor Management Coach, develop, and motivate a team of hourly associates, setting clear expectations and providing real-time feedback that helps people grow and succeed. Balance labor across workstations throughout the shift — reading throughput signals, redeploying team members as volume and priorities shift, and keeping the operation running smoothly without burning people out. Recognize strong performance and address gaps constructively; build a team culture where accountability and support go hand in hand. Partner with the Sr. Operations Manager to staff and schedule labor in alignment with inbound volume plans and outbound demand. Operations Execution Drive consistent throughput across inbound receiving, condition assessment, sortation, put-away, pick/pack, and outbound shipping — tracking daily progress against unit cost, processing time, and time-to-fulfill goals. Collaborate with Merchandising, Tech, and Customer Experience teams to resolve deal-batch, purchase order, Shopify order, and product database issues before they disrupt the floor. Communicate shift performance clearly — handoffs, exceptions, and open items — so the operation stays connected across shifts. Quality & Process Ownership Own quality standards across the shift — receiving accuracy, condition grading consistency, listing quality, and returns processing integrity. Write, maintain, and train to SOPs; ensure onboarding of new product categories, specialty brands, and deal batches happens smoothly and without degrading quality or throughput. Lead structured problem-solving on recurring defect types — dig into root causes, implement corrective actions, and close the loop with data. Continuous Improvement Spot inefficiencies and take initiative to fix them — whether that’s a process tweak, a layout change, or a workflow redesign that reduces per-unit cost or improves quality yield. Use operational data to surface trends, propose hypotheses, and test solutions; bring findings and recommendations to senior leadership. Participate actively in cross-functional process reviews as both a contributor and a problem-solver.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree required. Experience in a warehouse, fulfillment, or manufacturing environment with direct responsibility for team performance and quality outcomes. Ability to read operational data, identify what’s driving results (or not), and take effective action. Strong communicator — clear on the floor with associates and equally comfortable writing SOPs or presenting findings to cross-functional partners. A collaborative, solutions-first approach to working across teams and partners to get things done. Flexibility to work weekends and varying shifts based on production volume. This role requires standing, walking, and lifting up to 50 lbs throughout the shift, with or without reasonable accommodation.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience in recommerce, returns processing, or an environment where product condition is variable and judgment matters. Continuous improvement background — Lean, Six Sigma, or just a track record of making processes measurably better. Familiarity with WMS platforms and inventory management systems is a plus.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Non-climate-controlled warehouse environment; temperature varies seasonally. Flexible schedule required — hours align with production volume; weekend availability expected. Regular physical activity: standing, walking, bending, and lifting up to 50 lbs throughout the shift. Pay Transparency This is a full-time, exempt position eligible to receive a base salary. Final salary offered will be determined based on factors including but not limited to the candidate's skills and experience. Initial base salary range for this on-site position = $45,000-$65,000 Equal Opportunity REBEL is committed to employing a diverse workforce and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by law. REBEL is committed to compliance with all applicable fair employment practice laws. If you require reasonable accommodation to complete a job application, pre-employment testing, or a job interview or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io REBEL may, from time to time, use AI-integrated technology to help us process and evaluate applications more efficiently. This includes tools that screen and assess candidate qualifications based on the requirements for this role. While these tools assist our workflow, all final selection decisions are made by our hiring team. #J-18808-Ljbffr Rebel