Shipping Department Manager

About Shepherd Electric Supply Since 1892, Shepherd Electric Supply has been the first call when complex, time-critical electrical challenges need to be solved, and reliability truly matters. We move materials accurately and on time, so contractors stay on schedule, projects stay on track, and customers never have to wonder if we will come through. Our success comes from people who take pride in doing things the right way — safely, accurately, and with care for teammates and customers alike. If you want to do work that matters at a company that notices, this is the place. Why This Role Matters Shipping is the last checkpoint before a promise is kept or broken. Every order that leaves this facility on time, complete, and correctly documented is a commitment fulfilled to a contractor counting on those materials to stay on schedule. Every error — wrong product, missing documentation, late departure — lands on a job site and on our reputation. The Shipping Department Manager owns that final checkpoint across a 100,000-square-foot distribution center with a 20-person team. At a facility running multiple shifts, the outbound function cannot afford to be reactive — it has to be disciplined, organized, and accurate from the moment staging begins to the moment the last truck rolls out. You set the standard, build the team, and own the outcomes every day. Work Shift and Hours: Monday - Friday, 10:00am - 7:00pm or depending on business needs. Compensation Details: The expected base salary for this position is between $65,000 - $75,000 annually depending on experience. Key Outcomes - Organized by what matters, not just what you do. Outbound Fulfillment & Shipping Accuracy Ensure every outbound order leaves clean — right product, right quantity, complete and accurate documentation Verify shipping documentation is complete on every outbound shipment before departure — no exceptions Prioritize time-critical and priority-flagged orders with urgency and direct communication to affected teams Coordinate staging so drivers load efficiently and depart on time, every route, every day Ensure will-call orders are staged and ready before customers arrive Team Leadership & Development Select, onboard, and develop a 20-person shipping team — including leads — so the function executes without depending on heroics Coach and hold team members accountable through direct, consistent feedback — not just documentation Manage timecards, performance evaluations, and day-to-day accountability with consistency and fairness Delegate clearly, follow up on completion, and build a crew that holds itself to a standard Escalate performance or conduct concerns to the Operations Manager promptly and without delay Develop leads so the shipping function has depth and continuity across all shifts Inventory Integrity & Receiving Support Oversee inbound receiving processes as needed — ensuring freight is received accurately and exceptions are documented before product enters inventory Manage fulfillment, inventory, and receiving staff coordination to keep inbound and outbound flow moving without bottlenecks Treat inventory discrepancies as signals requiring root cause investigation, not isolated incidents to close out Flag recurring discrepancy patterns to the Operations Manager for systemic review Fleet & Delivery Coordination Coordinate with dispatch and drivers to ensure on-time, accurate outbound delivery across Southern and Western Maryland, Washington DC suburbs, and Northern Virginia Assist with truck maintenance coordination — report needs proactively so vehicles are never a reason for a missed route Partner with dispatch and branch operations to resolve delivery exceptions in real time, not after the fact Equipment, Facility & Safety Maintain safe, organized shipping operations — staging areas clear, equipment functional, hazards addressed before they become incidents Oversee pre-shift equipment inspections and ensure maintenance needs are reported and resolved proactively Operate and ensure team compliance with forklift, pallet jack, and reach truck certification requirements Model and enforce safety compliance on every shift — never treat it as a formality Process Improvement & Cross-Functional Coordination Surface inefficiencies, recurring errors, and workflow friction in the shipping function — and act on them, not just report them Recommend and test process changes that improve outbound accuracy, speed, or team capacity Communicate proactively with sales, counter, purchasing, and branch teams on outbound status and exception resolution Be willing to cover other shifts when operational needs require it — the DC runs multiple shifts, Monday through Friday What Success Looks Like - After 90 days, you and your supervisor should both be able to point to these markers: Outbound orders leave clean — right product, right quantity, right documentation — on every shift Drivers depart on time and delivery exceptions are resolved in real time, not after the fact The shipping team knows what is expected and executes without being managed by the hour Inbound receiving coordination runs without stalls or dropped handoffs Equipment is inspected, certified, and operated safely every shift The Operations Manager trusts that shipping operations run correctly when they are not watching At least one meaningful process improvement has been identified, tested, and implemented in your first 90 days Your leads are developing and taking on more ownership over time Who Thrives Here - This role is a strong fit if: You own outcomes, not just activities — a late truck or a wrong shipment is your problem to fix, not explain You develop your team by raising their capability, not by covering their gaps You communicate directly — with your crew, with dispatch, with sales, and with DC leadership You stay organized and accurate under pressure, especially when outbound volume spikes or staffing is short You hold people accountable without making it adversarial — you set the standard and enforce it fairly You treat outbound accuracy and on-time departure as non-negotiables, not targets You want to build a shipping operation that works without you in the room Qualifications & Requirements High school diploma or equivalent required 5+ years of warehouse management experience, preferably in a shipping, fulfillment, or distribution environment Experience managing teams of 15 or more in a fast-paced distribution or wholesale setting Familiarity with Southern and Western Maryland, Washington DC suburbs, and Northern Virginia delivery area preferred Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Outlook; familiarity with warehouse management systems Forklift, pallet jack, and reach truck certification required or ability to obtain through onsite training Strong verbal and written communication skills — comfortable coordinating across sales, dispatch, and branch teams Ability to lift up to 60 lbs. regularly and perform the physical requirements of the role Valid driver’s license required Willingness to cover alternate shifts when operational needs require it Electrical product knowledge is a plus Ability to successfully complete pre-employment screening requirements This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals occupying this position of employment. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skill required of all individuals assigned to this job title. Management reserves the right to modify all or part of this job description at its discretion in order to meet location requirements, staffing levels, and/or any other needs of the business. All of the essential functions of the job, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act and/or equivalent state law, may not have been described. All requests for reasonable accommodation(s) will be reviewed and evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Why should you join Shepherd Electrical Supply? At Shepherd Electric Supply, excellence in service, pricing, and products has been our mission since 1892. As the oldest wholesale electrical distributor in the Baltimore/Washington area, we take pride in our exceptional customer service and extensive inventory. We have a rich history of partnering with industry leaders like Siemens and Eaton, and our commitment to quality and innovation has made us a trusted name in the industry. Join our team and be a part of our legacy! Apply now and find out what’s next for you. Equal Opportunity Employer/Vet/Disabled Not the right fit? Let us know you're interested in a future opportunity by clicking Introduce Yourself in the top-right corner of the page or create an account to set up email alerts as new job postings become available that meet your interest! At Shepherd Electric Supply, our people are the cornerstone of our success. We proudly have one of the most experienced, knowledgeable, and dedicated teams in the industry, spanning across sales, project management, wire cutting, shipping, and receiving, and our skilled drivers who ensure reliable next-day delivery. Serving customers throughout Maryland, Northern Virginia, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania, we are committed to excellence in every aspect of our business. If you don't see a position that aligns with your skill set but believe you can be a valuable addition to our team, we invite you to "Introduce Yourself" at the top of this page and let us know how you can contribute to our continued growth.