Lead, Warehouse

TITLE: Lead, Warehouse

DEPARTMENT: Warehouse

REPORTS TO: Manager, Warehouse

About the Role

The Warehouse Lead is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day activities of the warehouse team and ensuring seamless warehouse operations. This position involves leading personnel to execute loading, unloading, receiving, storing, and rotating all materials and products required for food production operations within a designated facility.

How You’ll Make a Difference

Warehouse Operations

• Collaborate with warehouse leadership to conduct daily stand-up meetings; ensure all team members understand and execute assigned tasks effectively.
• Assist with the development, implementation, and maintenance of SOPs, policies, processes, and reporting.
• Lead assigned warehouse functions, including receiving, inventory reconciliation, shipping, material movement, and storage for all product categories (dry, canned, refrigerated, and frozen).
• Train and guide warehouse team members, prioritizing assignments, and ensuring adherence to scheduled breaks and lunches.
• Operate various machinery, including forklifts and electric/manual pallet jacks, to move materials to staging and storage locations.
• Coordinate with production and logistics teams on outbound shipments, unloading, and loading activities, ensuring proper documentation protocols.
• Be actively present on the warehouse floor to identify and address process flow disruptions; collaborate cross-functionally to resolve issues in real time.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor or manager.

Inventory Management

• Track food waste and maintain accurate documentation for reporting to management.
• Lead and participate in receiving, unloading, and inspecting shipments for damage; verify purchase order specifications and packing slips.
• Contact vendors to address shortages, damages, or discrepancies; complete all relevant receiving, discrepancy, and follow-up reports.
• Collaborate with inventory team members to maintain inventory integrity.
• Ensure all deliveries align with company purchase orders.
• Document and report receiving and product reconciliation data.
• Generate pull sheets and ensure proper staging/loading of food products for outbound shipments.
• Analyze pick sheets based on order demand and ensure appropriate material is pulled for production cycles; address product shortages in collaboration with management.
• Coordinate with stagers and runners to transport supplies to kitchen and production teams; ensure inventory movements are accurately documented and reported.

Safety & Compliance

• Assist supervisors or managers in conducting daily safety stand-up meetings.
• Perform regular safety checks throughout the shift in warehouse and dock areas.
• Ensure team members adhere to OSHA, PPE, and food safety compliance standards at all times.
• Enforce sanitation and safety regulations in food quality, storage, and distribution.
• Maintain a clean, orderly, safe, and secure warehouse environment.
• Ensure compliance with all laws, codes, and regulations regarding food product handling and storage temperatures.
• Collaborate with the Quality Assurance team to support weekly internal audits and implement preventative measures to minimize infractions.

Who You Are

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in a similar role; food manufacturing warehouse experience preferred.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Effective communicator with a proven ability to work with diverse teams across all organizational levels.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and meet tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.
• Strong leadership and motivational skills to guide and inspire team members.
• Working knowledge of OSHA and GMP compliance standards.
• Familiarity with warehouse operations best practices in manufacturing environments (cGMP).
• Flexibility to work overtime, including weekends, public holidays, and evenings as needed.
• Forklift certification required or willingness to obtain it upon hire.
• Experience operating various warehouse equipment, including scissor lifts and electric pallet jacks.
• Proficiency with G-Suite, spreadsheets, and inventory tracking platforms.
• Basic math skills for inventory management and accuracy in receiving.
• State-designated Food Handlers Certification required within 30 days of hire.

Our Culture

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential values at Thistle. We know we do our best and most impactful work when we feel we are represented and belong. We're proud to actively recruit and hire talented people from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. We do not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis (“protected class”), including, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, citizenship, national origin, color, hairstyles, hair texture, religion or religious creed, age, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, veteran or active military status, marital status, criminal record, genetics, retaliation, sexual harassment or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.