Warehouse Lead

Warehouse LeadThe Warehouse Lead plays a critical, hands-on role in directing daily stockroom and warehouse operations to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality movement of materials in a manufacturing environment. This position oversees receiving, shipping, material handling, work order kitting, and cycle counting while using ERP/MRP systems to maintain accurate inventory data. The Warehouse Lead coordinates a small team, partners closely with planning and production, and drives continuous improvement across all warehouse processes.ResponsibilitiesLead and direct daily warehouse operations across receiving, kitting, shipping, cycle counting, and inventory control to ensure high productivity and accuracy.Provide day-to-day leadership for a team of shipping and receiving personnel, including assigning tasks, monitoring performance, and cross-training staff to support operational flexibility.Conduct daily coordination meetings with planning and production teams to review incoming and outgoing schedules, align priorities, and ensure on-time material availability.Enforce safety regulations, environmental health and safety (EHS) policies, and 5S housekeeping standards throughout the warehouse and stockroom.Participate in continuous improvement initiatives, including root-cause and corrective action reviews, and contribute to updates of standard operating procedures (SOPs) to enhance warehouse workflows.Oversee daily shipping operations to ensure finished goods are accurately picked, inspected, packaged, and shipped in accordance with customer and internal requirements.Prepare and audit shipping documentation, including Bills of Lading, packing lists, customs documentation, and carrier manifests, ensuring completeness and accuracy.Ensure strict adherence to trade compliance requirements and internal shipping quality standards for all outbound shipments.Direct the prompt unloading, inspection, and verification of incoming raw materials, parts, and supplies against purchase orders.Log and manage receiving exceptions and damaged goods, working with Quality and Purchasing to resolve issues quickly and minimize delays.Ensure received materials are accurately recorded in the ERP system and stored in the correct bin locations.Oversee component kitting and staging for Manufacturing Orders (MOs) according to production schedules, ensuring timely and complete kits for production.Serve as the primary contact for production teams requesting additional work order materials, consumables, and supplies, and respond promptly to material needs.Promote and enforce best practices for material handling across the logistics flow to prevent damage and maintain batch and lot traceability.Lead and administer regular cycle counting programs and physical inventory audits to achieve target Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for stock accuracy.Investigate inventory discrepancies, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions to prevent recurring issues.Manage non-conforming material (NCM) processes, including segregation and maintenance of quarantine areas, and coordinate disposition with relevant stakeholders.Perform accurate data entry in ERP/MRP systems for all inventory movements, transactions, and adjustments to maintain data integrity.Support packaging activities to ensure materials and products are properly protected, labeled, and compliant with customer and regulatory requirements.Essential SkillsAt least 2 years of direct lead experience in a warehouse, stockroom, or similar operational environment, including managing direct reports.Hands-on experience with ERP and MRP systems for inventory management, material transactions, and production support.Proven experience in inventory management and inventory control, including cycle counts and physical inventory.Experience working in a manufacturing environment, preferably supporting production operations.Demonstrated team leadership experience, including task assignment, coaching, and cross-training.Strong knowledge of shipping and outbound logistics processes, including documentation and trade compliance.Strong knowledge of receiving and inbound logistics processes, including inspection, verification, and put-away.Experience with material management and kitting for manufacturing or production orders.Proficiency in data entry and transaction processing within ERP systems to maintain accurate records.Familiarity with 5S and workplace organization practices in a warehouse or production setting.Ability to manage non-conforming materials and follow established NCM procedures.Ability to meet ITAR compliance requirements for this role.Additional Skills & QualificationsExperience leading a small team in shipping and receiving operations.Experience in production support, including coordination with planning and manufacturing teams.Experience with packaging practices for finished goods and components.Knowledge of material handling equipment and best practices for safe material movement.Exposure to root-cause analysis, corrective action, and continuous improvement activities.Comfort working in a clean manufacturing environment, such as fiber optics or similar high-precision industries.Why Work Here?You will join an organization that operates at the forefront of advanced technology, contributing to cutting-edge projects and applications in aerospace, defense, and other innovative fields. The site functions as a research and development hub, giving employees direct exposure to new technologies and the opportunity to collaborate closely with engineering teams. Eligible employees may access a comprehensive benefits package that can include medical, dental, and vision coverage; critical illness, accident, and hospital plans; voluntary life and AD&D insurance; short- and long-term disability; a 401(k) retirement plan with both pre-tax and post-tax contribution options; a Health Spending Account (HSA); transportation benefits; an Employee Assistance Program; and paid time off with the opportunity to accrue up to 120 hours per year, depending on role and eligibility. The culture emphasizes safety, precision, and continuous improvement, offering a stable environment where your contributions directly support meaningful, high-impact work.Work EnvironmentThe role is based in a clean manufacturing environment focused on producing fiber optics for government and private customers. Work is performed in a cleanroom-type setting where you will wear a basic gown similar to a lab coat to maintain product and process cleanliness. The position follows a daytime schedule, typically Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. You will work closely with production, planning, and engineering teams, using ERP/MRP systems and standard warehouse tools and equipment to manage materials, inventory, and shipments in a controlled, safety-focused facility.Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Tualatin, OR.Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $25.00 - $28.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)