Shipping & Receiving Manager

POSITION SUMMARY

The Shipping & Receiving Manager is responsible for the overall management, coordination, and performance of the Shipping & Receiving Department. The Shipping Manager oversees department personnel, establishes work priorities and procedures, manages department resources and expenses, monitors freight and operating costs, and identifies opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce costs. This position works closely with Production, Purchasing, Sales, Quality, Finance, and other departments to support customer requirements and overall business objectives.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage and coordinate all activities of the Shipping & Receiving Department, including shipping, receiving, picking, packing, inventory counts, staging, loading, unloading, and preparation of goods for delivery.
• Provide leadership, direction, and accountability to Shipping & Receiving personnel, including Supervisors, Leads, and department associates.
• Establish work procedures, priorities, schedules, and staffing requirements to effectively manage department workflow.
• Monitor department performance and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, productivity, and customer service.
• Manage department personnel matters, including staffing, timecard approval, vacation scheduling, performance management, disciplinary actions, and employee development.
• Develop and maintain a culture of accountability, teamwork, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Monitor freight, transportation, packaging, supplies, equipment, and labor costs.
• Review freight expenses and identify opportunities to reduce transportation costs without negatively impacting customer service or delivery requirements.
• Evaluate shipping methods, carriers, delivery schedules, packaging, and other logistics processes for cost-saving opportunities.
• Monitor overtime and labor utilization and make adjustments to staffing and workflow to improve labor efficiency.
• Ensure accurate and timely shipments to customers in accordance with customer requirements and preferred delivery methods.
• Coordinate with Production, Quality, Purchasing, Sales, and other departments to ensure customer orders are completed and shipped on time.
• Ensure accurate receipt, storage, movement, and shipment of materials and finished goods.
• Establish and maintain effective inventory control procedures, including audits, cycle counts, tally sheets, and investigation of inventory discrepancies.
• Ensure timely and accurate entry of shipments, receipts, freight information, and inventory transactions into the Great Plains system.
• Ensure inbound and outbound shipments are properly inspected, documented, packaged, labeled, and prepared for transportation.
• Monitor and maintain appropriate levels of shipping materials, including boxes, packaging materials, tools, and other department supplies.
• Ensure appropriate documentation and reporting of damaged, defective, questionable, or incorrectly counted materials.
• Establish and monitor department performance metrics related to shipment accuracy, inventory accuracy, on-time delivery, freight expense, labor utilization, and productivity.
• Evaluate packaging methods and material usage to identify opportunities to reduce waste and expense.
• Maintain department and work areas in accordance with 5S principles.
• Ensure all department employees follow established safety procedures and utilize required PPE.
• Oversee the safe operation and maintenance reporting of forklifts, trailers, commercial vehicles, and other department equipment.
• Maintain compliance with company policies, procedures, and applicable safety requirements and training.
• Address unsafe conditions or practices promptly and implement corrective actions when necessary.
• Direct training and development of department employees, including proper shipping, receiving, packaging, inventory, equipment, and safety procedures.
• Establish clear performance expectations and hold employees accountable for meeting department standards.
• Develop Leads and Supervisors to strengthen the department's leadership capabilities.
• Communicate effectively with internal and external customers at all levels of the organization.
• Work with other Supervisors and Leads to coordinate workflow and ensure on-time completion and shipment of customer orders.
• Communicate shipping issues, inventory discrepancies, customer requirements, and operational concerns to appropriate personnel.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Work is performed in a manufacturing and warehouse environment.
• Work involves standing, walking, lifting, and movement throughout the work shift.
• Exposure to normal manufacturing and warehouse conditions, including noise and movement of materials and equipment.
• May be exposed to varying temperatures and other normal environmental conditions associated with a manufacturing facility.
• Noise level is generally consistent with a normal manufacturing environment.

Requirements

JOB KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and EDUCATION

• High School Diploma/GED required; additional education in business, logistics, supply chain, or a related field preferred.
• 5+ years of related shipping, receiving, inventory, logistics, or manufacturing experience.
• 5+ years of supervisory or management experience, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
• Advanced knowledge of shipping, receiving, inventory control, and material handling practices.
• Working knowledge of departmental budgeting, cost control, and expense management.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes as they relate to shipping, receiving, inventory, and customer delivery requirements.
• Advanced computer skills, including Microsoft Office.
• Experience with ERP systems; experience with Great Plains preferred.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to analyze operational and financial information and take appropriate corrective action.
• Strong leadership and employee-management skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate with employees, supervisors, managers, customers, vendors, and other internal and external contacts.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and exercise sound judgment.
• Ability to read and interpret work instructions, routers, drawings, and other applicable documentation.
• Forklift experience and knowledge of safe material-handling practices preferred.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Ability to lift and move materials and products weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, stoop, and move throughout the department and manufacturing facility as required.
• Ability to work in a standing and walking environment for extended periods.