Warehouse Lead

Job Summary

The Warehouse Lead is responsible for coordinating inbound and outbound shipments, scheduling deliveries and pickups, and maintaining efficient receiving and shipping operations. This position serves as a hands-on leader who supports warehouse associates, ensures inventory accuracy, and maintains compliance with all food safety, quality, regulatory, and company requirements. The Warehouse Lead works closely with transportation providers, internal departments, and warehouse personnel to ensure the safe, accurate, and timely movement of products throughout the facility.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the safe handling, storage, and movement of products throughout the warehouse.
• Promote a culture of safety through reinforcement of safety policies, PPE requirements, and safe work practices.
• Lead, train, coach, and support warehouse associates to meet productivity, quality, and safety expectations.
• Work closely with shipping and receiving teams to ensure proper execution of all procedures related to picking, packing, staging, shipping, receiving, and inventory management.
• Oversee daily inbound and outbound operations to ensure timely and accurate processing of shipments.
• Coordinate truck schedules, carrier appointments, and delivery schedules to maximize efficiency and customer service.
• Ensure trucks are loaded and unloaded accurately, safely, and on schedule.
• Oversee and assist with daily receiving activities, including unloading, inspection, staging, and verification of deliveries.
• Conduct physical inventory counts, cycle counts, and inventory reconciliations.
• Ensure accurate inventory transactions, lot tracking, and inventory placement utilizing RF Smart and warehouse management systems.
• Communicate inventory discrepancies, product damages, shortages, and quality concerns to the appropriate departments.
• Maintain accurate shipping, receiving, inventory, and food safety documentation.
• Verify compliance with company policies, OSHA regulations, FDA requirements, and food safety standards.
• Comply with and enforce Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Good Warehousing Practices (GWPs), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and sanitation requirements as outlined in the Master Sanitation Schedule.
• Follow and support the facility Food Safety Plan, Quality Plan, and all company policies to ensure compliance with food safety and quality requirements.
• Support SQF and HACCP programs by maintaining compliance with established procedures and documentation requirements.
• Perform and document routine inspections of forklifts and material handling equipment and report maintenance concerns.
• Maintain housekeeping standards and ensure warehouse areas remain clean, organized, and audit-ready.
• Assist with inventory audits, customer audits, and regulatory inspections.
• Collaborate with transportation providers, customer service, quality, production, maintenance, and warehouse leadership to resolve operational issues.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement related to safety, quality, productivity, and inventory accuracy.

Qualifications

• Five years of warehouse experience within a food processing, manufacturing, or distribution environment preferred.
• Five years of shipping and receiving experience preferred.
• Experience with food-grade warehouse operations preferred.
• Experience with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), RF Smart, and inventory control processes preferred.
• Working knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Good Warehousing Practices (GWPs), HACCP, SQF, FDA regulations, and food safety standards preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Outlook, and Word.
• Strong understanding of warehouse operations, inventory control, shipping, receiving, and documentation requirements.
• Strong communication, organizational, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of commercial food processing and food packaging equipment is beneficial.
• Forklift certification or ability to become certified preferred.

Education

• High school diploma or GED preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and lift up to 50 pounds throughout the shift.
• Ability to work in varying temperature environments, including refrigerated areas when required.
• Ability to safely operate forklifts, pallet jacks, and other material handling equipment.

Reports To: Warehouse Supervisor
Leads: Warehouse Associates and Material Handlers during assigned shifts.