Warehouse Operations Manager

Brilliant•Waukegan, IL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Warehouse Operations Manager owns inventory operations at Brilliant's Waukegan warehouse, ensuring received items are counted, stored, and tracked accurately so that system data reflects physical inventory. This fully onsite, hands-on role leads receiving, put-away, inventory control, storage, and returns, and shares responsibility with warehouse leadership for staffing, space, safety, and floor handoffs. The manager leads the inventory team, including hiring, training, scheduling, coaching, and evaluating leads and hourly associates. The role also tracks inventory performance, develops and improves standard operating procedures, and works with fulfillment, account management, production, support, procurement, vendors, and product and technology teams to improve inventory processes and tools.

Requirements

At least 3 years of experience in warehouse operations or inventory control, including experience managing hourly employees.
Strong working knowledge of receiving, cycle counting, physical inventories, and variance investigation.
Hands-on experience with WMS, ERP, or other inventory management systems, and comfort learning proprietary tools.
Comfort working with inventory data and reports in Excel or Google Sheets.
A hands-on, floor-oriented leadership approach, with the ability to coach, motivate, and hold team members accountable.
Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to prioritize, manage competing demands, and meet deadlines.
Ability to work independently while collaborating closely with warehouse and corporate teams.
Ability to work onsite five days per week in Waukegan, Illinois.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a high-SKU, multi-client, or project-based environment.
3PL, eCommerce, or gifting experience.
Bilingual English/Spanish skills.

Responsibilities

Oversee inbound receiving, including checking shipments against purchase orders, inspecting goods, labeling, and timely put-away.
Resolve receiving shortages, overages, and damage with production, procurement, and vendors.
Coordinate inbound schedules with production in preparation for program launches and peak periods.
Own inventory accuracy for client-owned and Brilliant inventory, ensuring system records match physical stock.
Run cycle counts and physical inventory audits, and investigate and resolve variances.
Maintain inventory-system data integrity, including SKU setup, locations, and inventory adjustments.
Prevent shrinkage and damage through handling, storage, and security procedures.
Plan warehouse layout, slotting, and space allocation for growing SKU counts and multi-client inventory.
Identify aged, slow-moving, and obsolete inventory and work with account teams on consolidation and disposition.
Oversee returns inspection, restocking, disposition, and system updates.
Hire, train, schedule, coach, and evaluate inventory-team leads and hourly associates.
Partner with warehouse leadership to share labor across the floor during peak periods.
Build a team culture focused on accuracy, safety, and accountability.
Track and report inventory KPIs, including inventory accuracy, cycle count variance, dock-to-stock time, adjustments and shrink, and returns turnaround.
Build and refine SOPs for receiving, put-away, counting, and returns, and cross-train the team.
Use learnings from inventory variances, mis-ships, and returns to improve processes with the fulfillment team.
Serve as the go-to contact for inventory questions and reporting from account management, production, and support teams.
Own the handoff of accurate, available inventory to kitting and fulfillment.
Partner with product and technology teams to improve inventory tools and workflows in proprietary systems.
Maintain a safe, clean, and organized facility, including regular racking and equipment inspections.
Ensure compliance with company policies and OSHA regulations, and lead team safety training.
Model and reinforce Brilliant's values and commitment to excellence on the warehouse floor.