Warehouse Operations Manager

Nemera•Buffalo Grove, IL

1d•$125,000 - $145,000

About The Position

The Warehouse Operations Manager provides leadership and operational direction for Nemera’s warehouse and internal logistics network supporting its Buffalo Grove and Vernon Hills operations. The role is responsible for safe, reliable, compliant, and efficient warehouse operations and for developing a scalable operating model that can support future business growth. It leads warehouse execution across multiple buildings and shifts, including receiving, shipping, material handling, warehousing, internal transportation, inventory control, and production replenishment. The manager oversees service to Production, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, and other internal customers; aligns physical material movement with SAP transactions; and establishes operating standards, daily management routines, escalation processes, and performance measures. The role leads warehouse supervisors, the Inventory Control Supervisor, and other frontline leaders; develops staffing, training, and cross-training practices; and drives continuous improvement and root-cause problem solving. The position also oversees inventory accuracy, material availability, safety, quality, regulatory compliance, capacity and space planning, operating and capital budgets, and third-party logistics or provider performance as applicable. It supports warehouse network, automation, infrastructure, and growth initiatives while balancing cost, safety, quality, and service requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
Five or more years of progressive warehouse, distribution, logistics, or manufacturing-materials experience.
Five or more years of supervisory or people-leadership experience in a warehouse, distribution, or manufacturing environment.
Demonstrated experience leading multi-shift operations.
Experience in a regulated, high-quality, or highly controlled manufacturing environment.
Strong knowledge of warehouse operations, material flow, inventory control, and production-support principles.
Working knowledge of SAP and applicable warehouse, inventory, production, and distribution processes.
Demonstrated ability to develop supervisors, leads, and frontline employees.
Strong analytical, organizational, and structured problem-solving skills.
Demonstrated ability to lead change and continuous improvement while maintaining day-to-day operational execution.
Ability to work effectively across Production, Supply Chain, Quality, Engineering, Finance, EHS, and other cross-functional teams.
Strong written and verbal English communication skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications and data-driven performance management.

Nice To Haves

A degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations, Business, or a related discipline is strongly preferred.
Experience managing multi-site or multi-building warehouse operations.
Experience implementing Lean manufacturing or Lean logistics principles, including Leader Standard Work, Gemba, visual daily management, 5S, and structured problem solving.
Experience improving inventory accuracy and transactional discipline within SAP.
Experience with SAP MM, WM/EWM, PP, or SD-related processes.
Experience with warehouse capacity planning, facility layouts, space utilization, and material-flow optimization.
Experience managing or evaluating third-party logistics and external warehousing solutions.
Experience implementing warehouse technology, automation, scanning, or material-handling equipment.
Experience supporting warehouse or manufacturing expansion and organizational growth.
Knowledge of budget management, capital planning, and business-case development.

Responsibilities

Lead warehouse and internal logistics operations across multiple buildings and shifts, maintaining consistent standards while addressing site-specific needs.
Ensure reliable warehouse service to Production, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, and other internal customers.
Oversee receiving and putaway, shipping, material handling, warehousing, production replenishment, inter-building transfers, inventory transactions, transportation, and applicable third-party logistics activities.
Maintain alignment between physical material movement and SAP transactions, ensuring inventory movements are accurate and timely.
Establish escalation processes for material shortages, shipment risks, inventory discrepancies, equipment issues, and operational interruptions.
Establish daily operating cadences and conduct Gemba walks to review performance, observe work, identify abnormalities, and verify corrective actions.
Drive issues to root cause and translate recurring problems into improved standard work, training, process controls, layout or equipment improvements, or continuous-improvement projects.
Lead, coach, and develop warehouse supervisors, the Inventory Control Supervisor, and other frontline leaders; clarify roles, decision rights, accountability, and escalation paths.
Assess staffing needs against business demand, productivity expectations, and operational complexity; maintain staffing flexibility across buildings and shifts.
Maintain training, qualification, certification, and cross-training requirements for warehouse activities and material-handling equipment.
Lead inventory accuracy, reconciliation, SAP transaction integrity, inventory control personnel, metrics, and corrective actions.
Ensure timely material availability for production; optimize replenishment, material movement, warehouse flow, and space utilization.
Ensure safety, quality, and regulatory compliance; maintain SOPs, training, and 5S standards; conduct inspections and audits; and ensure proper equipment use and maintenance.
Support change control and validation requirements.
Plan warehouse capacity, resources, and scalability; identify operational constraints; and optimize space, labor, equipment, and processes.
Support warehouse network, automation, expansion, and growth initiatives; develop long-term infrastructure and capital plans.
Establish warehouse KPIs, visual management, and performance-management cadences across buildings and shifts; monitor safety, service, material availability, inventory accuracy, receiving performance, and labor productivity.
Set accountability for corrective actions and verify that countermeasures deliver sustainable results.
Develop and manage warehouse operating expenses and applicable capital budgets; review spending, explain variances, and implement corrective actions.
Evaluate labor, overtime, equipment, transportation, external warehousing, and capital requirements against operational demand.
Manage third-party warehouse, transportation, equipment, and logistics-provider performance as applicable.
Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and control costs while maintaining safety, quality, and service levels.