Shipping & Receiving Lead

Now is a great time to join Nopak, a leader in fluid power located in the Greater Milwaukee Area. As our privately held business undertakes a significant growth initiative, we are looking for a Shipping & Receiving Lead to run the day-to-day in our shipping and receiving department. This role reports to the Materials Supervisor. This is a working lead role, and most of your day is spent doing the work. You will pack and load, build crates, schedule freight, prepare shipping and export paperwork, and move material on the forklift. The rest of your day is spent directing the work of two Shipping & Receiving Associates on first shift, answering their questions, and setting the order of the day. You will develop the standard work this department runs on and hold the team accountable to following it. Nopak is a high-mix, low-volume manufacturer where no two days look the same. We offer annual merit reviews along with performance and profit-based incentives. We pride ourselves on helping energetic, ambitious employees thrive in our entrepreneurial and fast-paced culture. If you take pride in doing it right every time and want to build something that lasts longer than your shift, we want to hear from you. Responsibilities: Process Development & Standard Work Build and maintain the written processes this department runs on, covering order verification, documentation, and final pre-shipment checks. Establish a verification step that confirms what is shipping matches what was ordered, before the shipment is sealed. Standardize how tracking information is captured and recorded so it is on every shipment, every time. Shipping Execution & Flow Pack, seal, label, and prepare materials for shipment, then load and stage outbound freight using forklift and overhead crane, verifying count and condition at the truck. Schedule shipments and freight with carriers within the routing guidelines provided by the Materials Supervisor. Prepare shipping documentation accurately and completely - packing slips, bills of lading, and carrier paperwork - and record shipment data in the ERP system. Own department flow: no completed order sits waiting on shipping instructions, and anything waiting gets chased down. Crating, Packaging & Damage Prevention Build crates, skids, and pallets and apply blocking, bracing, and protective packaging appropriate to the size, weight, and fragility of what is shipping. Set packaging and crating standards by product type, size, and weight, so protection does not depend on who is packing that day. Treat transit damage as a process failure: investigate how it was packed, change the standard, and work with the Materials Supervisor on the freight claim. Receiving & Putaway Own the receiving process end to end, including accuracy against purchase orders and packing lists, and inspect incoming shipments for damage, noting poor condition on the bill of lading before signing. Own putaway: material is stored where it belongs, labeled, and findable by the next person who needs it. International Shipping & Export Documentation Prepare and manage export documentation - commercial invoices, certificates of origin, customs and carrier paperwork - and work with freight forwarders to book and document international shipments. Maintain accurate product classification and country of origin on all export paperwork. Ensure export crating meets international requirements, including heat-treated lumber where applicable, and keep export records on file. Leading the Team Direct the daily activity of two Shipping & Receiving Associates on first shift, set the order of work, and serve as the go-to for questions and judgment calls during the shift. Train and cross-train associates on process, equipment, documentation, and packaging standards so the department is covered when someone is out. Raise performance, staffing, and workload concerns to the Materials Supervisor, who owns performance management for the department. Safety & Equipment Work in compliance with OSHA standards and Nopak safety protocols, including required PPE; operate forklift and overhead crane safely and report equipment issues immediately. Perform general shop duties as assigned, including material handling and production support during high production periods. An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. Minimum Qualifications: High School Diploma (or GED or High School Equivalence Certificate). Minimum 3 years of shipping and receiving experience, preferably in a manufacturing environment. Experience leading or directing the work of others, including holding people accountable to a process. Strong attention to detail, with a track record of catching errors before they leave the building. Proficiency preparing shipping documentation, scheduling freight with carriers (LTL, truckload, and parcel), and entering data in an ERP system. Ability to build crates, skids, and pallets, and to select appropriate packaging and protection for a range of products. Forklift experience and the ability to be certified; ability to be trained on overhead crane. Clear communicator who works independently and understands the safety hazards of a manufacturing setting. Preferred Qualifications: Experience with international shipping and export documentation, including certificates of origin, HTS or Schedule B classification, and electronic export filing. Experience writing work instructions, SOPs, or standard work used by others. Experience with carrier portals and shipping software, and with freight forwarders. #J-18808-Ljbffr