Warehouse Manager

We are seeking an experienced and bilingual Warehouse Manager to lead our operations at a key distribution facility located in the Greater Los Angeles area. This role focuses on direct-to-consumer fulfillment (drop-shipping/one-piece order fulfillment) and returns processing . You will have full ownership of daily warehouse functions including receiving, storage, order fulfillment, returns handling, and outbound shipping. You will manage a team of supervisors and associates, drive continuous improvement, and ensure all activities comply with safety, quality, and cost targets. Fluency in both Mandarin Chinese and English is a mandatory requirement for effective communication with headquarters, suppliers, and cross-functional teams. Core Objective To manage the end-to-end warehouse operation with a strong emphasis on one-piece order fulfillment (drop-shipping) and returns processing , while optimizing workflows, controlling costs, and building a high-performing team that consistently meets or exceeds service-level agreements (SLAs). Key Responsibilities Full Operation Ownership: Oversee all inbound, outbound, and value-added services, with particular focus on one-piece order picking/packing and returns inspection/re-stocking . Set daily priorities, allocate resources, and adjust plans based on fluctuating demand. Team Leadership: Directly supervise shift supervisors and indirectly lead a team of 20–40 associates. Recruit, train, coach, and evaluate staff. Foster a positive, accountable, and safety-conscious culture. Process Optimization: Analyze workflows, identify inefficiencies, and implement lean improvements (e.g., slotting optimization, route sequencing, layout changes). Drive measurable gains in throughput and accuracy. Returns Management: Establish and enforce standard operating procedures for returns receiving, inspection, grading, refurbishment, and restocking/disposition. Monitor return rates and collaborate with quality and customer service teams to reduce defects. One-Piece Fulfillment Excellence: Optimize small-package picking, packing, and carrier sortation processes to achieve fast turnaround times and high accuracy. Manage relationships with last-mile carriers (UPS, FedEx, USPS, etc.). Warehouse Launch Experience: Lead or participate in new warehouse setup projects , including layout planning, racking installation, system implementation, process design, and team onboarding from scratch. Safety & Compliance: Enforce strict adherence to California OSHA (Cal/OSHA) regulations and company safety policies. Lead incident investigations, conduct regular audits, and maintain a clean, organized facility following 5S principles. Inventory & Quality Control: Monitor cycle counts, investigate discrepancies, and collaborate with inventory control to maintain high accuracy. Ensure all shipments meet customer quality specifications. Financial Accountability: Manage the operational budget (labor, supplies, equipment maintenance). Track P&L items such as overtime, shrink, and third-party costs. Report monthly variance analysis to senior management. Cross-Functional Communication: Act as the primary point of contact between the warehouse and other departments (logistics, procurement, sales, HQ). Conduct meetings and prepare reports in both English and Mandarin Chinese as needed. Qualifications & Skills Mandatory: Fluency in Mandarin Chinese and English (both spoken and written). Must be able to communicate complex operational issues, write reports, and present to Chinese-speaking stakeholders without interpretation assistance. Required: Hands-on experience in one-piece/drop-shipping fulfillment operations and returns processing in a distribution center or e-commerce fulfillment environment. Required: Experience in warehouse launch/setup projects (from greenfield to operational), including layout planning, system go-live, and team building. At least 4–5 years of progressive warehouse management experience in a distribution center, 3PL, or e-commerce fulfillment environment. Proven track record of managing budgets, controlling costs, and achieving KPI targets (productivity, accuracy, on-time delivery, safety metrics). Strong working knowledge of WMS (e.g., SAP EWM, Oracle WMS, Manhattan Associates) and advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, data analysis). Demonstrated ability to lead a diverse, multi-cultural workforce. Experience with unionized environments is a plus but not required. Familiarity with California-specific regulations (e.g., Cal/OSHA, California Wage & Hour laws, AB 5 worker classification) is highly desirable. Forklift certification is preferred but not required. Ability to oversee forklift operations and ensure operator compliance is expected. Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business Administration, or a related field preferred. Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered. Must be authorized to work in the United States. #J-18808-Ljbffr