Warehouse Manager - Industrial Automation

Job description

**Automation & Factory Solutions (AFS)**, a SunSource company, helps manufacturers improve productivity, efficiency, and performance through innovative automation technologies, industrial products, and engineered solutions. We partner with customers across North America to solve complex manufacturing challenges, optimize processes, and implement safe, efficient solutions tailored to their unique needs. Through our network of local branches, we provide customers with stocking inventory, technical support, training, and dedicated sales teams to keep their operations moving forward. The Warehouse Manager is responsible for the overall leadership, safety, and operational performance of the Miamisburg, Ohio distribution/warehouse facility. This role owns the day-to-day execution of receiving, put-away, inventory control, order fulfillment, and shipping, while driving a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and process discipline. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader who can identify and eliminate operational bottlenecks, drive root cause problem-solving, and deliver consistently accurate inventory — while building the documentation and training infrastructure (SOPs and work instructions) needed to scale a well-cross-trained, accountable team. ### Essential Functions **Leadership & Team Management** - Directly supervise, coach, and develop a team of 10 warehouse associates, including scheduling, performance management, and disciplinary action as needed. - Set clear performance expectations and hold team members accountable to productivity, quality, and safety standards. - Build a culture of ownership, cross-training, and continuous improvement. - Conduct regular one-on-ones, team huddles, and performance reviews. **Continuous Improvement & Process Optimization** - Proactively identify operational bottlenecks across receiving, put-away, picking, packing, and shipping processes. - Create a continuous improvement team mindset. Lead & Teach root cause analysis (e.g., 5 Whys, fishbone diagrams) for recurring issues and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA). - Design, implement, and track continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, 5S, or Kaizen principles to improve throughput, reduce waste, and lower operating costs. - Establish and monitor KPIs (e.g., order accuracy, on-time shipment, dock-to-stock time, labor productivity) to measure and sustain improvements. **Inventory Accuracy & Control** - Own end-to-end inventory accuracy for the facility, driving toward a best-in-class cycle count process & root cause analysis. - Implement and maintain robust cycle counting programs and reconcile discrepancies in a timely manner. - Partner with Purchasing, Customer Service, and Finance to resolve inventory discrepancies and prevent recurrence. - Ensure accurate, real-time transaction processing within Epicor Prophet 21 (P21), including receipts, transfers, adjustments, and shipments. **Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) & Training** - Optimize, document, and maintain SOPs and work instructions for all core warehouse functions (receiving, put-away, picking, packing, shipping, cycle counting, returns, etc.). - Build and manage a cross-training matrix to ensure operational coverage, flexibility, and reduced single-points-of-failure across the team. - Use SOPs and work instructions as the foundation for onboarding, ongoing training, and accountability standards. - Regularly audit adherence to SOPs and update documentation as processes evolve. **Systems & Reporting** - Utilize Epicor Prophet 21 (P21) as the primary WMS/ERP tool for inventory management, order fulfillment, and reporting. - Generate and analyze reports from P21 to monitor inventory accuracy, order status, and warehouse performance metrics. - Identify opportunities to improve system utilization and data integrity. - Manage NCRs(Non Conforming Receipts) quickly and accurately to ensure supplier operations have accurate date to drive improvements. **Safety & Compliance** - Ensure the warehouse operates in full compliance with OSHA regulations and company safety policies. - Lead safety training, incident investigations, and corrective actions. - Maintain a clean, organized, and safe working environment (5S standards). - Facilities & Equipment - Oversee the maintenance and proper use of warehouse equipment (forklifts, pallet jacks, etc.). Manage facility housekeeping, organization, and space utilization for a ~20,000 sq. ft. operation. ### Experience, Education and Skills **Required** - 5+ years of warehouse/distribution management experience, including direct people leadership (supervising teams of 8–15+). - Demonstrated experience driving continuous improvement initiatives with measurable results (throughput, cost reduction, accuracy improvements). - Proven track record of achieving and sustaining high inventory accuracy. - Experience developing SOPs, work instructions, and training/cross-training programs. - Hands-on experience with an ERP/WMS system; Epicor Prophet 21 (P21) experience strongly preferred. - Strong root cause analysis and problem-solving skills (5 Whys, fishbone, PDCA, or similar methodologies). - Excellent communication, coaching, and accountability-driven leadership style. - Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and general office software. **Preferred** - Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations, Supply Chain, or related field (or equivalent experience). - Lean Six Sigma certification (Yellow Belt/Green Belt) or formal Lean/5S training. - Experience in [industry — e.g., distribution, manufacturing, wholesale] environments. - Forklift certification or ability to obtain certification. **Physical Requirements** - Ability to walk, stand, bend, and lift up to 30 lbs. for extended periods. - Comfortable working in a warehouse environment with variable temperatures. - Ability to operate warehouse equipment as needed. **Work Schedule** - Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–5:00 PM, with flexibility for operational needs. **What Success Looks Like in This Role** - Inventory accuracy consistently meets or exceeds [target %, e.g., 99%+]. - Documented SOPs and work instructions exist for all core processes, with a cross-training matrix showing multi-skilled coverage across the team. - Recurring operational issues are identified, root-caused, and permanently resolved rather than repeatedly patched. - Warehouse KPIs (throughput, on-time shipping, labor efficiency) show measurable, sustained improvement quarter over quarter. - An engaged, accountable team with low turnover and clear performance expectations. This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and is not an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with it. [Company Name] reserves the right to modify duties and responsibilities as needed.