Warehouse Lead

Warehouse Lead

The Warehouse Lead is responsible for coordinating the daily activities of warehouse associates to ensure the safe, accurate, and efficient receipt, storage, movement, and shipment of products. This position serves as a working lead, providing hands-on support while helping oversee warehouse operations, maintaining inventory accuracy, enforcing safety and food safety standards, and ensuring production and customer orders are fulfilled on time. The Warehouse Lead partners closely with supervisors and other departments to support operational goals and drive continuous improvement.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Warehouse Operations:

• Lead and coordinate daily warehouse activities, including receiving, shipping, inventory movement, and order fulfillment.
• Assign work to warehouse associates based on operational priorities.
• Ensure products are properly received, stored, rotated, and shipped following FIFO/FEFO requirements.
• Verify incoming and outgoing shipments for accuracy and completeness.
• Monitor workflow to ensure productivity goals and shipping schedules are met.
• Assist with loading and unloading trucks using powered industrial equipment.
• Maintain organized warehouse storage locations and staging areas.

Inventory Control:

• Perform inventory transactions accurately within the warehouse management system or ERP system.
• Conduct cycle counts and assist with physical inventory.
• Investigate and resolve inventory discrepancies.
• Ensure proper product identification, labeling, and lot code accuracy.
• Monitor inventory levels and communicate shortages or concerns to management.

Leadership & Team Support:

• Provide day-to-day direction, coaching, and support to warehouse associates.
• Train new employees on warehouse procedures, equipment operation, GMPs, and safety requirements.
• Monitor employee performance and provide feedback to supervisors.
• Promote teamwork, accountability, and a positive work environment.
• Assist supervisors with staffing priorities and workflow adjustments.

Safety & Compliance:

• Ensure compliance with OSHA regulations, GMPs, food safety requirements, SQF standards, and company policies.
• Promote safe forklift operation and proper material handling practices.
• Conduct daily equipment inspections and report maintenance issues promptly.
• Maintain a clean, organized warehouse following 5S and sanitation standards.
• Report safety concerns, accidents, product damage, or quality issues immediately.

Continuous Improvement:

• Identify opportunities to improve warehouse efficiency, organization, and productivity.
• Support process improvement initiatives that reduce waste and improve accuracy.
• Participate in warehouse audits and corrective action activities.
• Assist during peak production periods and support cross-functional operations as needed.

Qualifications

Education:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Associate degree or technical training is a plus.

Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years of warehouse experience in a manufacturing, food manufacturing, or distribution environment.
• At least 1 year of experience in a lead or senior warehouse role preferred.
• Experience operating forklifts, pallet jacks, and other warehouse equipment.
• Experience with inventory management systems, barcode scanning, and ERP systems preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong understanding of warehouse operations and inventory control principles.
• Knowledge of FIFO/FEFO inventory management.
• Ability to safely operate powered industrial equipment.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and leadership abilities.
• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office and warehouse management systems.
• Ability to prioritize work in a fast-paced environment.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, reach, and climb throughout the shift.
• Frequently lift, push, pull, and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Operate forklifts and other material handling equipment safely.
• Work in refrigerated, freezer, and warehouse environments as needed.
• Ability to work overtime, weekends, or holidays when business needs require.

Work Environment

• Food manufacturing and warehouse environment.
• Exposure to varying temperatures, including refrigerated and freezer storage areas.
• Frequent use of forklifts, pallet jacks, conveyors, and warehouse equipment.
• Required use of personal protective equipment (PPE), including safety shoes, high-visibility vest, gloves, hearing protection, and other required safety equipment.

Core Competencies

• Leadership
• Teamwork & Collaboration
• Communication
• Accountability
• Safety Focus
• Inventory Accuracy
• Customer Service
• Problem Solving
• Time Management
• Continuous Improvement
• Adaptability