What are the responsibilities and job description for the Warehouse Lead position at HVAC Distributing?
Freight Team Lead
Department: Warehouse / Distribution Reports To: Warehouse Manager / Distribution Center Manager Employment Type: Full-Time Location: [Distribution Center Location]
Position Summary
The Freight Team Lead oversees the daily inbound and outbound freight operations at an HVAC equipment and parts distribution facility. This role directs a team of freight handlers, dock workers, and forklift operators to ensure accurate, timely, and damage-free receiving, staging, loading, and shipping of HVAC units, ductwork, refrigerant lines, and related equipment. The Freight Team Lead balances hands-on floor leadership with coordination across warehouse management, drivers, and customer service to keep freight moving efficiently and safely.
Key Responsibilities
Freight Operations
- Plan and direct daily inbound receiving and outbound shipping schedules to meet delivery and will-call deadlines.
- Assign staging areas, dock doors, and load sequences for LTL, full truckload, and local delivery routes.
- Verify freight against bills of lading, purchase orders, and pick tickets; resolve shortages, overages, and damage claims.
- Oversee proper handling and staging of HVAC-specific freight (condensers, air handlers, coils, ductwork, refrigerant cylinders), including weight distribution and damage prevention for bulky or fragile units.
- Coordinate with carriers, drivers, and dispatch to schedule pickups/deliveries and resolve routing or appointment issues.
- Monitor freight costs and flag opportunities to consolidate shipments or reduce accessorial charges.
Team Leadership
- Supervise, schedule, and assign daily tasks to freight handlers and forklift/reach truck operators.
- Train new team members on load-building standards, freight handling procedures, and safety protocols specific to HVAC equipment.
- Monitor productivity and accuracy metrics (on-time loading, order accuracy, damage rate) and coach team members to meet targets.
- Enforce safety standards, PPE requirements, and proper equipment operation; lead pre-shift safety briefings.
- Escalate performance, staffing, or disciplinary issues to the Warehouse Manager as needed.
Documentation & Systems
- Maintain accurate records in the WMS/ERP system for receiving, put-away, staging, and shipment confirmation.
- Complete and audit bills of lading, packing slips, freight claims, and damage reports.
- Track inventory accuracy for staged and in-transit freight; participate in cycle counts as needed.
- Communicate delays, shortages, or discrepancies to purchasing, sales, and customer service teams promptly.
Safety & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with OSHA, DOT, and company safety standards for material handling equipment and freight operations.
- Conduct routine equipment inspections (forklifts, pallet jacks, dock levelers) and report maintenance needs.
Qualifications
Required
- 2 years of warehouse, freight, or distribution experience, including at least 1 year in a lead or supervisory capacity.
- Valid forklift certification (or ability to obtain certification during onboarding).
- Working knowledge of freight documentation (BOLs, POs, packing slips) and basic WMS/ERP systems.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple loading/receiving priorities simultaneously.
- Ability to lift up to 75 lbs regularly and work around large, heavy HVAC equipment.
- Strong communication skills for coordinating across warehouse, dispatch, and customer-facing teams.
Preferred
- Experience in HVAC, building products, or industrial equipment distribution.
- Familiarity with LTL freight carriers, freight class/NMFC codes, and freight claims processes.
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus.
- Prior experience training or onboarding new warehouse staff.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand, walk, bend, and lift for extended periods in a warehouse environment.
- Comfortable working in varying temperatures (loading dock exposure to outdoor conditions).
- Able to operate forklifts, pallet jacks, and other material handling equipment safely.
- Regularly lift/move freight up to 80 lbs; team-lift heavier HVAC units as needed.
Work Schedule
Full-time, typically Monday–Friday, day shift with occasional overtime during peak seasonal demand (spring/summer HVAC install season).
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person