Warehouse Lead

Warehouse LeadDepartment: WarehouseReports To: Warehouse ManagerLocation: Greenville, SCEmployment Type: Full-TimePosition SummaryThe Warehouse Lead is responsible for coordinating the day-to-day activities of the warehouse and ensuring materials, parts, and inventory are received, stored, picked, staged, and delivered accurately and efficiently. This position serves as a working lead for Warehouse Material Handlers and provides direction and support to the warehouse team.The Warehouse Lead helps maintain a safe, organized, and productive warehouse while supporting production schedules, inventory accuracy, material flow, and company policies and procedures.Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesLead and coordinate daily activities of warehouse personnel.Assign daily work and prioritize tasks based on production and operational requirements.Receive, inspect, identify, and properly store incoming materials and components.Pick, stage, and deliver materials to production areas according to schedules and work orders.Ensure materials are properly labeled, organized, and stored.Maintain accurate inventory records and assist with cycle counts and physical inventories.Investigate inventory discrepancies and communicate issues to the Warehouse Manager.Monitor material shortages and communicate potential production impacts.Coordinate with Production, Purchasing, Quality, Engineering, and Supply Chain teams to ensure timely material availability.Assist with shipping, receiving, and material movement activities.Operate forklifts, pallet jacks, carts, and other material-handling equipment as authorized.Ensure proper handling and storage of materials to prevent damage.Maintain warehouse organization, housekeeping, and 5S standards.Ensure employees follow safety procedures and company policies.Identify unsafe conditions and immediately report or correct them when appropriate.Assist with training and onboarding of new warehouse employees.Provide day-to-day coaching and direction to warehouse team members.Monitor employee attendance, productivity, work quality, and adherence to procedures.Escalate employee performance or conduct concerns to the Warehouse Manager.Assist in developing and improving warehouse processes and material-flow procedures.Ensure accurate completion of receiving, inventory, picking, and shipping documentation.Support lean manufacturing and continuous-improvement initiatives.Maintain confidentiality of company, customer, supplier, and inventory information.Perform other duties as assigned.Oversized material handling requiring crane operation.Leadership ResponsibilitiesThe Warehouse Lead provides day-to-day direction to warehouse employees and is expected to:Set clear expectations for daily work.Coordinate workflow and manpower.Lead by example in safety, attendance, productivity, and professionalism.Help resolve routine operational issues.Train employees on warehouse procedures and equipment.Communicate production priorities to the warehouse team.Escalate significant operational or employee issues to the Warehouse Manager. Safety ResponsibilitiesFollow all OSHA and company safety requirements.Promote a safety-first culture within the warehouse.Conduct or participate in daily safety checks as required.Ensure proper use of PPE and material-handling equipment.Report accidents, incidents, near misses, and unsafe conditions promptly.Maintain clear aisles, emergency exits, and designated storage areas.Follow proper forklift and powered industrial truck procedures.QualificationsRequiredHigh school diploma or equivalent preferred.2–4 years of lead warehouse, logistics, manufacturing, or material-handling experience.Previous experience operating forklifts or other material-handling equipment.Ability to read work orders, inventory information, labels, and shipping/receiving documentation.Basic computer skills.Strong organizational and communication skills.Ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.Ability to work effectively with production and warehouse personnel.Ability to regularly lift and move materials as required by the position.PreferredPrevious warehouse lead or team-lead experience.Manufacturing or automotive/transit industry experience.Experience with ERP or warehouse management systems.Experience with inventory control and cycle counting.Forklift certification.Experience with 5S, Lean Manufacturing, or continuous improvement.Physical RequirementsAbility to stand and walk for extended periods.Ability to frequently bend, stoop, reach, push, pull, and lift.Ability to lift and move materials consistent with company safety guidelines.Ability to safely operate material-handling equipment.Ability to work in a manufacturing/warehouse environment with varying temperatures and noise levels.Ability to wear required PPE.Performance ExpectationsThe Warehouse Lead will be measured on:Safety: Maintaining a safe warehouse and reducing incidents and near misses.Inventory Accuracy: Maintaining accurate inventory and minimizing discrepancies.Material Availability: Ensuring production receives required materials on time.Productivity: Efficient use of warehouse labor and resources.Quality: Accurate receiving, picking, staging, and documentation.Housekeeping: Maintaining organized and clean warehouse areas.Leadership: Providing effective direction, training, and communication to the warehouse team.Attendance & Accountability: Maintaining dependable attendance and holding the team accountable to established expectations.Continuous Improvement: Identifying opportunities to improve warehouse processes and material flow.Success in the First 90 DaysWithin the first 90 days, the Warehouse Lead should:Understand warehouse procedures, inventory systems, and production material requirements.Establish effective communication with Production, Purchasing, and Supply Chain.Demonstrate consistent adherence to safety requirements.Maintain an organized and efficient warehouse.Demonstrate accurate material handling and inventory practices.Build credibility and accountability with the warehouse team.Identify at least one opportunity to improve warehouse efficiency, safety, or inventory accuracy.