About the Company
Our client is a leading manufacturer, marketer and supplier of pharmacy supplies and consumer goods based in the Twin Cities South Metro, with several manufacturing and vendor partners in the U.S. and internationally. They have many trusted brands in the marketplace and function as an omni-channel company selling products wherever consumers shop. The company’s caring culture and values ensure they have a lot of fun while performing at a high level.
About the Role
The Manager, Warehouse Operations is responsible for:
- Leading and continuously improving company’s warehouse activities, including receiving, stowing, picking, packing, labeling, inventory management and cycle counting
- Partnering with Logistics to execute order fulfillment and outbound shipping
- Meeting safety, quality,and customer service requirements and achieving KPIs
- Communicating, motivating, training and encouraging warehouse team members development and engagement.
Responsibilities
- Provide highly visible, hands-on leadership, daily work direction, performance metrics tracking, problem-solving and people management to ensure the warehouse operations team executes strategic and tactical plans while achieving key performance indicators (KPIs)
- Develop and foster relationships with other functional partners to identify business needs and ensure effective systems and practices are developed, documented, implemented and executed to achieve company goals and objectives
- Partner with functional partners to fulfill orders, execute outbound shipments, meet customer requirements and achieve on-time pickup and delivery service levels
- Track and report KPIs using information to make informed business decisions
- Develop and communicate headcount staffing plans, cross training and skill development, work schedules,and job rotations to ensure team members’ competency and flexibility meet business needs
- Partner with warehouse and logistics leadership and other stakeholders to apply Lean-6S and Visual Factory principles and continuously improve warehouse space utilization, reduce waste and optimize workflow
- Evaluate warehouse systems and processes making recommendations for improvement, managing the implementation of approved changes, meeting schedule and cost targets, and continuously improving safety, quality, customer service, productivity and daily execution performance
- Responsible for expense management and control of operations team budget in partnership with the Director, Warehouse Operations & Logistics
- Utilize WMS/NAV systems to transact and support receiving, stowing, production order picking, small and large order fulfillment activities and warehouse inventory movements
- Ensure standard operating procedures (SOPs) are developed, documented, maintained,and followed for all aspects of warehouse operations; hold team members accountable for policy compliance and process adherence
- Adhere to quality standards to ensure product quality adheres to good manufacturing practices (GMPs), SOPs, company specifications and warehouse-related policies and procedures
- Work with maintenance and outside service providers to ensure the warehouse building, infrastructure, and equipment (i.e., forklifts, conveyors, dock doors) are maintained and operational
- Ensure all forklift operators are trained, certified and in compliance with all safety and operation policies
- Communicate regularly with team members on warehouse changes, quality initiatives and other information to drive results; communication may be formal, informal, group, select individuals or one-on-one
- Provide direct management and support of team members throughout the employee life cycle in accordance with Human Resources initiatives, policies, and programs to enable company to attract, motivate, develop, and retain top Warehouse talent to meet the evolving needs of the business
- Lead, coach, and develop group leads, trainers, and other shared leadership roles within the warehouse operations team
- Serve as a mentor and coach to direct reporting team members to ensure consistent administration, accountability, and adherence to company policies and procedures
- Serve as a champion for the maintenance of a clean and safe plant, partnering with the safety and health committee to ensure compliance with OSHA and Minnesota Labor and Industry safety regulations; lead by example by following company policies, standards and specifications
- Stay abreast of the warehouse team member climate/culture; collaborate with Human Resources on team member relations issues to drive positive team member engagement
- Serve as back-up to the Director, Warehouse & Logistics for select responsibilities as needed
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
- 10+ years of progressing experience in warehouse and distribution management capacities
- 5+ years’ warehouse management experience within medical device, pharmacy supplies or other regulated retail consumer packaging and distribution industries preferred
