Warehouse, Shipping & Receiving Lead

Warehouse, Shipping & Receiving LeadThe Warehouse, Shipping & Receiving Lead coordinates and leads day-to-day warehouse, shipping, receiving, inventory control, and material-handling activities. The position is accountable for maintaining accurate physical inventory; ensuring materials are properly received, identified, stored, issued, staged, and delivered to Production; and ensuring finished products are properly packaged and shipped accurately and on schedule. The Lead provides daily work direction to Warehouse/Shipping & Receiving employees and works closely with Production, Purchasing, Quality, and Operations to maintain material flow and prevent production disruptions. The position also supports purchasing activities by creating and issuing purchase orders from approved requisitions and verifying required purchasing and material information before orders are released.Lead Daily Warehouse, Shipping & Receiving OperationsCoordinate and prioritize daily warehouse, shipping, receiving, and material-handling activities based on production and delivery requirements.Assign daily tasks and provide work direction to Warehouse/Shipping & Receiving employees.Monitor workflow and follow up to ensure assigned work is completed safely, accurately, and on time.Provide hands-on support to the team as operational needs require.Communicate operational concerns, staffing needs, delays, or employee-performance concerns to the Plant Manager.Receiving & Incoming MaterialsCoordinate and oversee the receiving of raw materials, components, hardware, supplies, and other deliveries.Verify received materials against purchase orders, packing slips, delivery documents, specifications, and other applicable requirements.Inspect incoming shipments for visible damage, shortages, overages, incorrect quantities, incorrect items, or other discrepancies and report concerns promptly.Ensure received materials are properly identified, labeled, recorded, stored, and routed to the appropriate location or department.Ensure receiving transactions are accurately recorded in the company's ERP or inventory system and maintain organized receiving documentation.Inventory & Material ControlMaintain accurate physical inventory of raw materials, components, hardware, consumables, and warehouse supplies.Ensure materials are properly identified, labeled, stored, and traceable in designated locations.Ensure materials issued to Production are supported by the appropriate pick ticket or inventory transaction and that transactions are completed accurately and in a timely manner.Perform regular cycle counts and support scheduled physical inventories.Investigate inventory discrepancies, communicate findings, and coordinate corrective action with the appropriate departments.Maintain accurate records of material movements, transfers, usage, returns, and adjustments.Apply FIFO principles where appropriate and identify obsolete, excess, damaged, or slow-moving materials.Production Material SupportStage and deliver materials to Production according to work-order priorities and production schedules.Verify material identification and traceability before issuing material to Production.Monitor material availability and promptly communicate shortages, discrepancies, or other conditions that could affect production.Coordinate material movement between Receiving, Warehouse, Production, and Shipping to support efficient workflow.Shipping, Packaging & CratingCoordinate outgoing shipments of finished products and materials based on production schedules, customer requirements, and shipping priorities.Verify products, quantities, labels, documentation, and shipping instructions before release.Prepare and review packing lists, shipping labels, bills of lading, manifests, and other required shipping documentation.Determine appropriate packaging, crating, blocking, bracing, and material protection based on the product being shipped.Coordinate carrier pickups, loading schedules, and shipment status communications.Ensure finished products are properly packaged, secured, protected, staged, and handled to prevent damage during loading and transportation.Maintain accurate shipping records and documentation.Purchasing SupportCreate and issue purchase orders based on approved purchase requisitions, material takeoffs, shop requirements, and project schedules.Verify each purchase order for the correct job/project number, vendor, material description, alloy, and temper before issuance.Coordinate with the requester or appropriate department to resolve incomplete or conflicting information before issuing a purchase order.Maintain accurate purchase-order documentation and communicate material or order concerns that could affect production schedules.Warehouse Organization & Material HandlingMaintain a clean, organized, and efficient warehouse, shipping, receiving, staging, and storage environment.Establish and maintain designated storage locations for raw materials, components, hardware, supplies, and finished products.Protect materials from damage, contamination, or loss and optimize warehouse space and material flow.Safely load, unload, move, stage, store, and retrieve materials using forklifts and other authorized material-handling equipment.Ensure aisles, emergency exits, work areas, and storage areas remain clear and accessible.Identify opportunities to improve warehouse layout, organization, material flow, and efficiency.Team Leadership, Safety & Continuous ImprovementTrain and assist employees on established shipping, receiving, inventory, material-handling, safety, documentation, and system procedures.Reinforce department expectations for safety, quality, accuracy, productivity, organization, and attendance.Promote teamwork, accountability, and clear communication within the department and with Production, Purchasing, Quality, Planning, and Operations.Follow and reinforce company safety procedures, required PPE, and safe material-storage and material-handling practices.Identify opportunities to improve material flow, shipping accuracy, inventory control, productivity, and workplace organization, and support implementation of approved process improvements.An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. Reasonable accommodation(s) may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.The above list reflects the general details necessary to describe the principal and essential functions of the position and shall not be construed as the only duties that may be assigned for the position.Preferred Qualifications:High school diploma or equivalent required; additional education or training in Logistics, Supply Chain, Warehouse Management, Purchasing, or Manufacturing is preferred.Minimum 3-5 years of experience in warehouse operations, shipping/receiving, inventory control, material handling, or a related manufacturing environment.Previous lead or team-lead experience preferred.Manufacturing or metal-fabrication experience strongly preferred; experience handling steel, aluminum, stainless steel, architectural metals, hardware, or similar industrial materials is a plus.Working knowledge of warehouse and inventory-control practices and experience with ERP, MRP, WMS, or inventory-management systems.Experience preparing and reviewing purchase orders, packing slips, bills of lading, manifests, and related documentation.Ability to understand material descriptions and specifications, including alloy and temper, and identify discrepancies before purchase-order issuance or material release.Basic to intermediate Microsoft Excel skills and ability to perform basic inventory calculations and reconcile discrepancies.Forklift and material-handling equipment experience required or ability to successfully complete company-required training and authorization.Strong organizational, prioritization, communication, attention-to-detail, and problem-solving skills in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.Physical and Mental Demands:While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, communicate, use hands and fingers, handle materials, and reach with hands and arms. The employee may also be required to sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, push, pull, lift, and carry materials. The employee must be able to frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and use appropriate equipment or assistance for heavier or awkward loads. Specific vision abilities required by this position may include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, color differentiation, and the ability to focus. The position also requires sustained attention to detail, organization, prioritization, and problem-solving.Working Environment:This position works primarily in a manufacturing, warehouse, shipping/receiving, and loading-area environment and may regularly involve exposure to moving equipment, forklifts, truck traffic, production operations, metal materials, varying temperatures, noise, dust, and other conditions associated with a manufacturing facility. Required personal protective equipment must be worn in designated areas, and all company safety procedures must be followed.Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor