Parts Warehouse Operations Manager

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent required. Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, logistics, business, operations management, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of successful warehouse leadership experience.
• Five or more years of warehouse leadership experience in an operation with 5,000 or more SKUs and/or high-volume shipping and receiving activity preferred.
• Experience directly managing warehouse employees and coordinating daily execution through team leads.
• Experience supporting a manufacturing or industrial distribution environment preferred.
• Experience managing inventory accuracy, labor planning, operational performance, and warehouse expenses.
• Lean or 6S certification preferred, including a demonstrated history of implementing and sustaining standardized work, Lean principles, and 6S.

Qualifications:

Position Summary: 

The Warehouse Manager leads warehouse operations, including receiving, storage, inventory control, material distribution, order fulfillment, and shipping. This position ensures timely material availability, accurate inventory, efficient workflow, and adherence to safety, quality, service, and cost objectives. The Warehouse Manager directly manages warehouse leads and employees, establishes performance expectations, and drives continuous improvement. No supervisors report to this position.

Essential Functions of the Job:

1. Manage daily receiving, warehousing, inventory control, material distribution, picking, packing, and shipping operations.
2. Directly manage warehouse leads and employees, including hiring, onboarding, training, coaching, performance evaluations, and corrective action in partnership with Human Resources.
3. Develop warehouse leads in daily work coordination, employee training, communication, problem-solving, and escalation of operational issues.
4. Establish daily priorities and staffing plans based on production schedules, order volume, customer commitments, and business requirements.
5. Manage processes impacting inventory, including receiving, put-away, picking, material transfers, shipment confirmation, and returns.
6. Coordinate material movement and delivery to support production schedules, service requirements, and customer orders.
7. Maintain inventory accuracy through cycle counts, physical inventories, audits, location controls, and reconciliation activities. Investigate variances and implement corrective actions.
8. Ensure accurate and timely ERP transactions and documentation. Resolve discrepancies in partnership with appropriate departments.
9. Establish and monitor warehouse performance measures, including on-time shipment, pick and shipping accuracy, inventory accuracy, productivity, overtime, backlog, and safety.
10. Develop and manage the warehouse operating budget, monitor expenses, explain variances, and implement improvements to control labor, supplies, equipment, and other operating costs.
11. Lead improvements to warehouse layout, material flow, storage capacity, slotting, and work methods to reduce waste, errors, delays, and unnecessary handling.
12. Develop stocking and storage strategies in partnership with Purchasing, Planning, Production, and other appropriate departments.
13. Establish and maintain standard operating procedures, work instructions, and operational controls to ensure consistent execution across shifts.
14. Collaborate with Purchasing, Production, Planning, Customer Service, Logistics, and Finance to resolve constraints and align warehouse activities with business priorities.
15. Ensure compliance with safety requirements, quality standards, and company policies. Address hazards and ensure timely completion of required training and corrective actions.
16. Maintain a safe, organized, and efficient work environment through Lean and 6S principles.
17. Oversee the availability, maintenance, and effective use of warehouse equipment and technology. Identify repair, replacement, and system improvement needs.
18. Resolve operational issues affecting staffing, inventory, equipment, capacity, and order fulfillment, including recovery plans for backlogs and service disruptions.
19. Support the resolution of material shortages, receiving discrepancies, and supplier performance issues in coordination with Purchasing and other departments.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA’s):

1. Strong leadership skills, including the ability to directly manage employees, develop warehouse leads, and establish accountability.
2. Knowledge of receiving, warehousing, inventory control, material distribution, order fulfillment, and shipping practices.
3. Ability to analyze operational data, identify root causes, and implement measurable improvements.
4. Ability to develop staffing plans, coordinate departmental activities, and prioritize work based on business needs.
5. Knowledge of operating budgets, expense management, labor utilization, and warehouse performance metrics.
6. Working knowledge of ERP systems, warehouse management systems, Microsoft Excel, and data retrieval and reporting tools.
7. Effective written and verbal communication skills and the ability to collaborate across departments.
8. Ability to work under pressure, resolve competing priorities, and meet production and shipping schedules.
9. Knowledge of Lean principles, standardized work, continuous improvement, and 6S.
10. Ability to assess warehouse equipment needs and coordinate maintenance and operational support.
11. Ability to operate forklifts and material handling equipment upon completion of required training and authorization.
12. Ability to support multiple shifts and work overtime, including evenings and weekends, as needed.

Core Competencies for Leaders:

1. Leading Change / Change Management: Ability to drive improvement of team, division, and corporate goals and objectives. Ability to balance change and continually strive to improve business performance.
2. Leading People / Teamwork: Ability to design and implement strategies that maximize employees’ potential and promote high ethical standards in meeting team, division, and corporate objectives.
3. Communication: Ability to explain, advocate, and express facts and ideas in a convincing manner and negotiate with individuals and groups internally and externally. Ability to develop internal and external networks and identify issues that impact the work of the organization.
4. Business Acumen: Understands and interprets business financials and metrics and applies effective business strategies. Focuses on outcomes and creates opportunities for success. Acquires and utilizes human, financial, material, and information resources effectively.
5. Results Driven: Ability to make timely and effective decisions and produce results through planning, implementation, and evaluation of business metrics, systems, policies, and programs, emphasizing accountability and continuous improvement.