Warehouse Operations Manager (Inbound)

KeHE Distributors, LLC•Romeoville, IL

37d•$88,000 - $95,000

About The Position

At KeHE, we’re obsessed with creating solutions, unboxing potential, and serving others – and it all starts with you. As an employee-owned distributor of natural and organic, specialty, and fresh products, we’re committed to making a positive impact and scaling our success together. With a culture that fosters development and opportunity, you’ll be embarking on a career that’s moving forward. When you join KeHE, you’re becoming part of a team that is a force for good. As the Warehouse Operations Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing multiple departments within a single distribution center (DC), ensuring that all operations meet or exceed performance targets. Your leadership will drive operational excellence through a hands-on approach, fostering a high-performance culture, improving efficiency, and ensuring adherence to safety standards. You will lead your teams in achieving optimal performance across the warehouse, focusing on productivity, safety, accuracy, and cleanliness.

Requirements

Associates degree required; additional years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree
3-5 years of experience in warehouse operations, with at least 3 years in a leadership role
Excellent problem solving, communication, and interpersonal skills, with a proven track record of successfully managing & motivating teams and driving operational excellence
Experience with LEAN or other continuous improvement methodologies
Strong proficiency with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and other operational software
Must be able to lift, move, and carry 30-40 pounds repetitively upwards of 1,000 times per day. Must be able to lift, move, and carry larger items up to 75 pounds less frequently. The Warehouse Operations Manager is frequently required to stand, walk, climb and sit at times in the warehouse. While performing the duties of this position, the supervisor is subject to a warehouse environment where temperatures can vary from very cool to very warm. Freezer temperatures: (-20°F) | Refrigerator temperature (25-35°F). The manager is also exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise levels in the warehouse work environment are typically low to moderate.

Nice To Haves

Lean Six Sigma certification or similar continuous improvement qualification
Bachelor’s Degree or higher

Responsibilities

Leading and Developing Team Members
Lead, mentor, and develop a team of warehouse supervisors and associates across multiple shifts, ensuring they have the resources, tools, and training to meet performance goals and succeed in their roles
Set clear expectations and foster a culture of collaboration, performance excellence, and accountability, inspiring a team mentality and commitment to team goals
Provide real-time coaching, feedback, and mentorship to develop leadership skills within the team and promote career progression for all associates
Champion workforce development and retention strategies, ensuring a positive and respectful work environment that motivates associates to continually improve and perform at their best
Safety & Compliance Management
Lead and manage safety programs, ensuring compliance with safety regulations and company policies, and instilling a safety-first mindset across all teams
Conduct regular safety audits, inspections, and training, actively addressing safety concerns to ensure a zero-injury work environment
Promote safety and civility, making sure all associates are held accountable for maintaining a safe, clean, and compliant work environment where safety is a top priority for everyone
Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement
Oversee multiple warehouse functions to ensure smooth and efficient operations across all shifts, balancing productivity and operational quality
Lead and champion LEAN and continuous improvement initiatives across warehouse operations, identifying areas for improvement and implementing solutions to enhance efficiency and reduce waste
Collaborate with leadership and cross-functional teams to develop and implement long-term strategies that drive operational efficiency, improve throughput, and reduce costs while maintaining a high standard of safety and accuracy
Encourage feedback and ideas from associates to foster innovation and process improvement, ensuring that the warehouse operations evolve and adapt to meet changing demands
Set performance goals, monitor KPIs, and work with teams to achieve high standards of safety, productivity, accuracy, and cleanliness