Warehouse Manager

Warehouse Manager

The Warehouse Manager is responsible for overseeing all warehouse operations, including receiving, storage, inventory control, material handling, shipping, sanitation, and personnel management. This role ensures the safe, efficient, and compliant movement of raw materials and finished goods while maintaining inventory accuracy and supporting production schedules in a food-grade manufacturing environment.

The Warehouse Manager is expected to drive operational excellence, maintain regulatory compliance, and foster a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Warehouse Operations

• Manage daily warehouse activities, including receiving, storage, inventory control, picking, staging, and shipping.
• Ensure timely and accurate receipt and distribution of raw materials, packaging materials, and finished products.
• Coordinate warehouse activities to support production schedules and customer shipment requirements.
• Optimize warehouse layout, storage utilization, and workflow efficiency.
• Monitor warehouse performance metrics and implement process improvements.

Inventory Management

• Maintain accurate inventory records through cycle counts and physical inventories.
• Investigate and resolve inventory discrepancies promptly.
• Ensure proper stock rotation using FIFO/FEFO methodologies.
• Monitor inventory levels and communicate shortages or excess inventory to management.
• Utilize warehouse management systems (WMS), ERP systems, and inventory tracking tools effectively.

Food Safety, Quality, and Compliance

• Ensure compliance with GMPs, food safety regulations, HACCP programs, sanitation standards, and company policies.
• Maintain warehouse readiness for customer, regulatory, and certification audits.
• Ensure proper handling and storage of organic and food-grade ingredients.
• Support traceability, lot control, and product recall procedures when necessary.

Safety Management

• Promote a strong safety culture throughout warehouse operations.
• Conduct routine safety inspections and corrective actions.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA standards and company safety policies.
• Oversee forklift safety, equipment inspections, and operator certifications.
• Investigate workplace incidents and implement preventive measures.

Team Leadership

• Recruit, train, coach, and develop warehouse employees.
• Manage employee schedules, attendance, performance evaluations, and disciplinary actions.
• Establish clear expectations and accountability standards.
• Foster teamwork, employee engagement, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Lead shift meetings and communicate operational priorities.

Shipping and Logistics

• Coordinate inbound and outbound transportation activities.
• Ensure customer orders are shipped accurately and on time.
• Work with transportation providers and internal departments to resolve shipment issues.
• Monitor freight costs and identify opportunities for efficiency improvements.

Equipment and Facility Management

• Ensure warehouse equipment is properly maintained and inspected.
• Coordinate repairs and preventive maintenance activities.
• Maintain warehouse cleanliness and organization standards.
• Support facility security and access control procedures.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of warehouse management experience.
• Minimum 3 years of supervisory or leadership experience.
• Experience in food manufacturing, beverage manufacturing, ingredient handling, or regulated manufacturing environments strongly preferred.
• Experience with ERP and Warehouse Management Systems (WMS).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of warehouse operations and inventory control.
• Understanding of GMP, HACCP, OSHA, and food safety requirements.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and team-building skills.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to analyze operational data and drive process improvements.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to walk, stand, bend, and lift throughout the workday.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to work in warehouse and production environments, including varying temperatures.
• Ability to operate warehouse equipment as needed.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Inventory Accuracy
• On-Time Shipping Performance
• Warehouse Labor Productivity
• Safety Incident Rate
• Cycle Count Completion Rate
• Order Accuracy
• Audit Readiness and Compliance Scores
• Employee Retention and Engagement