Warehouse Inventory Lead

Water Lilies Food, LLC is a private equity-backed manufacturer and distributor of premium Asian inspired food. Founded for over 30 years, the Company is in a high-growth phase, supported by a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Bay Shore, NY (Suffolk County Long Island), with a second facility scheduled to come online in Q2 2026. Water Lilies’ growth strategy is centered on private label partnerships with national and regional retailers, complemented by proprietary control brand offerings where private label programs are not feasible. Water Lilies’ vision is to be the preferred supplying partner of premium Asian-inspired food, achieved through delivering our products and services with attention to detail, a continuous improvement mindset, agility, and authenticity. The company is backed by Blue Point Capital Partners, a lower middle-market private equity firm with a strong history of scaling founder-led and growth-oriented manufacturing businesses. The Warehouse Manager provides strategic leadership for warehouse operations within our food manufacturing environment. This role is responsible for driving operational excellence across inventory management and receiving while ensuring compliance with food safety, regulatory, and workplace safety standards. The Warehouse Manager will lead high-performing teams, optimize warehouse processes, and implement data-driven strategies that enhance efficiency, accuracy, and overall performance. This role plays a critical part in aligning warehouse operations with production, customer demand, logistics and organizational growth across the sites Direct and oversee all warehouse operations a single site while collaboration across multi-site, including receiving, inventory control and order fulfillment. • Develop and implement processes to optimize warehouse workflows, space utilization, and labor efficiency. • Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance productivity, reduce waste, and streamline operations. Safety, Compliance & Quality • Ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements, including OSHA, FDA, and food safety standards (GMPs, HACCP). • Partner with FSQA to ensure timely product release while maintaining quality and compliance standards. Lead, coach, and develop warehouse leadership and staff across multiple sites. • Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and high performance. • Performance Management & Financial Oversight • Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure operational performance, including accuracy, productivity, service levels, and cost efficiency. • Utilize data and reporting tools to drive informed decision-making. • Partner with Logistics and Transportation to ensure on time execution • Partner closely with Operations, Production, Procurement, Transportation, and Customer Service teams to ensure seamless end-to-end execution. • Lead and participate in weekly planning meetings related to scheduling, materials, and capacity. Evaluate and enhance inventory management processes, implementing best practices and new planning methodologies. • Lead ERP system optimization efforts, improving data accuracy, reporting capabilities, and operational visibility. Bachelor’s degree in Business, or related field (or equivalent experience). • 5-10+ years of progressive leadership experience in warehouse or distribution operations, preferably within food manufacturing or CPG. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and data analysis. • Experience with ERP systems, Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), and Business Intelligence (BI) tools. • Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma methodologies. • Proven ability to lead continuous improvement and operational transformation initiatives. • Experience with warehouse automation and technology implementation. • Ability to work in a warehouse and manufacturing environment, including exposure to varying temperatures. • Occasional travel between sites may be required. The employee will occasionally move within the office to access office machinery, file cabinets, and collaborate with colleagues. Consistent use of office equipment, such equipment may include but not limited to computers, phones, printers, and copiers. The employee will be required to frequently communicate with both internal staff members as well as external parties or customers and must be able to convey accurate information.