Inbound Warehouse Lead

Inbound Warehouse Lead

Mercana is one of North Americas leading home furnishings wholesalers, with interior designer and retail partners around the globe. As a design-first company, we produce unique pieces for the home each season including items such as wall art, furniture, lighting, and home dcor accessories.

The Inbound Warehouse Lead will be responsible for performing and ensuring the execution of the inbound operations of the warehouse, including receiving, inspection, and storage of goods. This role ensures that inbound shipments are processed efficiently, inventory is accurately recorded, and products are stored safely. The Inbound Lead will provide guidance and direction for the inbound warehouse staff, ensure compliance with safety standards, and maintain smooth communication between departments.

Job Responsibilities

Working collaboratively with the Warehouse Manager:

Inbound Operations Oversight :

• Oversee and perform all inbound operations, including the receipt, inspection, and verification of incoming goods.
• Ensure timely unloading of shipments and proper documentation of all incoming deliveries.
• Communicate concerns about inbound schedules with Warehouse management, to ensure that staffing and resources are adequate to meet daily goals.
• Coordinate with purchasing and inventory teams to prioritize urgent deliveries and reconcile discrepancies.
• Monitor and track all inbound shipments and update systems for inventory accuracy.

Inventory Control :

• Ensure all products are correctly labelled and stored in designated areas.
• Perform and oversee the cycle counting process to ensure accuracy in inbound inventory.
• Investigate and resolve any discrepancies in received items, working closely with the corporate inventory control team.

Quality Control (QC) :

• Perform and oversee the QC processes for incoming goods, ensuring that all products meet quality standards before storage or distribution.
• Inspect inbound shipments for damages, defects, or quality issues, and take corrective action as needed.
• Collaborate with the quality assurance team to ensure compliance with company and industry standards.
• Ensure that products are stored in proper conditions to maintain quality and prevent damage.
• Conducts regular inventory audits on QC inventory and works with the Quality Control Manager at the corporate office to ensure that QC/Quarantine inventory is given a disposition and managed quickly and efficiently.
• Implement corrective actions as directed to address quality issues and prevent recurrence.

Team Supervision & Leadership :

• Lead and supervise the inbound warehouse team, assigning tasks and providing direction daily.
• Train staff on proper receiving procedures, safety protocols, and company policies.
• Assist in monitoring team performance, providing coaching and feedback to improve productivity and accuracy.
• Ensure adherence to health and safety standards, conducting regular safety audits and addressing any hazards immediately.
• Assist the Warehouse Manager with staff schedules, including planning for absences and peaks in inbound volume.

Process Improvement :

• Continuously review inbound processes to identify areas for efficiency improvements.
• Implement best practices as directed for receiving, handling, and storing inventory to reduce waste and prevent damage.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g., purchasing, inventory, quality assurance) to resolve any recurring issues.

Reporting & Metrics :

• Assist in tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) such as inbound cycle time, receiving accuracy, and damages.
• Assist in preparing and presenting daily, weekly, and monthly reports on inbound operations.
• Use data to identify trends and implement corrective actions as necessary.

Problem-Solving & Decision-Making :

• Resolve issues with inbound shipments, such as incomplete deliveries, damaged goods, or overages/shortages.
• Make real-time decisions to prioritize shipments and allocate resources to ensure operational efficiency.

Candidate Requirements

• Must have at least 3 years of experience as a warehouse lead or supervisor, including inventory experience within a warehouse environment. Shipping, receiving, and order processing experience highly preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills, with an ability to communicate effectively across departments.
• Strong ability to motivate team members
• Forklift certification required.
• Experience setting up, maintaining, or optimizing drop shipments with major couriers.
• Attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Excel, Word and Outlook.
• Knowledge of manufacturing principles, particular preference for those with two to five years working with Six Sigma/Lean principles
• Some experience working with hand tools.
• Able to lift 23 kgs (50lbs) without assistance and work at a fast pace, when necessary
• Degree or Diploma an asset.