job Summary:
The Shipping & Distribution Supervisor is responsible for overseeing daily shipping, receiving, and warehouse activities within a manufacturing environment. This position provides direct leadership, coaching, and supervision to a team of approximately four employees, ensuring safe, accurate, and timely movement of materials and finished goods. Works closely with Operations, Planning, Customer Service, and customer-designated freight carriers to coordinate shipments, resolve issues, and meet customer delivery requirements. Responsible for maintaining inventory accuracy, shipping documentation, department efficiency, and compliance with company safety and quality standards while identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
PRIMARY DUTIES:
- Supervise, lead, and develop shipping and warehouse employees, including daily work assignments, scheduling, training, performance management, and accountability.
- Oversee daily shipping, receiving, warehousing, and distribution activities to ensure safe, accurate, and timely processing of materials and finished goods.
- Coordinate with customer-designated freight carriers to schedule pickups, manage dock activities, resolve transportation issues, and maintain effective working relationships.
- Partner closely with Customer Service, Planning, and Operations to communicate shipping schedules, order priorities, inventory availability, and potential delays.
- Monitor department workload, staffing, and daily priorities to ensure customer requirements and production schedules are met.
- Ensure accuracy of shipping and receiving transactions, bills of lading, packing lists, inventory records, and other required documentation.
- Maintain accurate inventory records, oversee cycle counts, investigate discrepancies, and support inventory control processes.
- Ensure proper handling, storage, packaging, and movement of materials and finished goods to prevent damage and maintain product quality.
- Promote and enforce company safety policies, forklift operating procedures, housekeeping standards, and applicable quality requirements.
- Provide coaching, feedback, and performance evaluations while addressing employee performance, attendance, and workplace concerns.
- Identify opportunities to improve shipping processes, warehouse organization, workflow efficiency, and overall department performance.
- Collaborate with other departments to resolve operational issues and support business and customer needs.
Education, Training & Experience:
- High school diploma or equivalent required; associate's or bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Logistics, or related field preferred.
- Three (3) to five (5) years of experience in shipping, receiving, warehousing, or distribution, preferably within a manufacturing environment.
- Previous supervisory or team leadership experience strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, develop, and hold employees accountable for performance, safety, and productivity.
- Working knowledge of shipping and receiving processes, inventory management, freight coordination, and warehouse operations.
- Experience working with freight carriers, Customer Service, and manufacturing operations to coordinate shipments and resolve issues.
- Proficiency with ERP/inventory management systems and Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and Outlook. Syteline ERP experience preferred.
- Strong organizational, problem-solving, communication, and time-management skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, respond to changing production and customer needs, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
SPECIAL EQUIPMENT OR OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
- Working knowledge of forklifts, pallet jacks, and other warehouse material-handling equipment; forklift certification or ability to obtain certification as required.
- Familiarity with barcode scanning systems, electronic bills of lading, shipping documentation, and ERP systems.
- Ability to work effectively with employees, leadership, customer service representatives, and external freight carriers.
- Ability to work in both office and manufacturing/warehouse environments and respond to operational needs throughout the workday.
- Commitment to maintaining a safe, organized, and efficient shipping and warehouse operation.
Relationships:
Works closely with Customer Service, Planning, and Operations to coordinate daily shipping and distribution activities, resolve issues, and support operational and customer needs. Maintains effective working relationships with customer-designated freight carriers to ensure timely pickups, accurate shipments, and clear communication. Provides leadership and support to Shipping and Warehouse employees while promoting teamwork, accountability, and collaboration across departments.
Supervises:
Warehouse personNEl
Supervised By:
Director of Operations