Distribution Center Supervisor
About the role
At Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, our dedication unites us in a shared mission to improve patient care and outcomes through world-leading healthcare solutions. We call this commitment Care by Design. Our journey began in New Zealand over five decades ago when a visionary doctor and two ingenious engineers pioneered a new approach to respiratory health. Today, we are a leading designer, manufacturer, and marketer of products and systems for acute and chronic respiratory care, anesthesia, and the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. Our innovative products touch the lives of millions of patients annually while operating in over 120 countries worldwide.
The Distribution Center Supervisor is a frontline people leader responsible for safely and efficiently executing daily warehouse operations while building an engaged, accountable, and high‑performing team. This role provides direct leadership to hourly associates and serves as the key link between strategy, process, and execution on the floor. The Supervisor must adapt their leadership style to meet the needs of individuals and the operation, while maintaining consistent performance expectations across safety, quality, service, and cost. Success in this role is defined by team performance, workforce stability, and sustained operational reliability. This position may support Receiving, Put‑away & Replenishment, Inventory Control, Order Picking (Parcel and/or LTL/TL), Packing & Consolidation, or Shipping functions within the Distribution Center.
Responsibilities
- People Leadership & Team Development – Lead, coach, and develop a team of hourly associates to achieve daily operational goals while promoting a culture of safety, quality, and respect. Conduct daily start‑of‑shift huddles, setting clear expectations for safety, productivity, and quality. Deliver real‑time coaching and feedback, reinforcing standard work and addressing performance gaps promptly. Support onboarding, training, certification, and cross‑training of associates to build bench strength and flexibility across the operation. Participate in performance management activities including goal‑setting, progressive coaching, recognition, and annual reviews. Foster an inclusive, high‑engagement environment by encouraging two‑way communication and involving associates in problem‑solving. Actively support employee retention by identifying engagement risks early and partnering with management to address them.
- Operational Execution & Daily Management – Execute the daily operating plan for the assigned functional area, ensuring labor, equipment, and material are aligned to volume requirements. Monitor workflow and labor allocation throughout the shift and make real‑time adjustments to meet service and productivity targets. Ensure all work is performed in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOPs) and work instructions. Identify, escalate, and help resolve operational constraints including staffing gaps, system issues, inventory discrepancies, or equipment downtime. Support continuous improvement efforts by identifying inefficiencies and participating in root cause analysis and corrective actions. Partner with peer supervisors and managers to ensure seamless handoffs between functional areas.
- Safety, Quality & Compliance – Champion a strong safety culture by enforcing safe work practices, conducting safety observations, and addressing unsafe conditions immediately. Ensure compliance with internal policies, regulatory requirements, and site‑specific safety programs. Reinforce product handling, inventory accuracy, and quality standards to minimize errors, damages, and shipping discrepancies. Participate in audits, investigations, and corrective action follow‑up as required.
- Communication & Cross‑Functional Collaboration – Communicate effectively with management regarding staffing, performance, risks, and improvement opportunities. Serve as a point of escalation for associate concerns, resolving issues professionally and consistently. Collaborate with Inventory Control, Maintenance, Transportation, Quality, and other support functions to meet overall DC objectives. Support change initiatives by clearly communicating expectations and reinforcing new processes on the floor.
Qualifications
- Required – High school diploma or equivalent. 3+ years of experience in warehouse, distribution, or manufacturing operations. 1+ year of direct people leadership or supervisory experience. Strong working knowledge of warehouse operations, safety practices, and standard work execution. Proven ability to lead teams in a fast‑paced, volume‑driven environment. Strong communication, coaching, and conflict‑resolution skills.
- Preferred – Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Operations, Supply Chain, Business, or related field. Experience working with WMS, labor management systems, and basic performance reporting. Prior experience leading teams through change or operational growth.
Skills
- People Development & Coaching
- Employee Engagement & Accountability
- Operational Discipline
- Problem Solving & Decision Making
- Safety Leadership
- Collaboration & Communication
Benefits
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- Life insurance
- Paid parental leave
- 401(k)
- Employee stock purchase plan
- Other options to meet diverse employee needs
Pay
The anticipated salary range for candidates working in this territory is $69,000‑$87,000. The final salary offered to a successful candidate will depend on several factors that may include but are not limited to the type and length of experience within the job, type and length of experience within the industry, education, etc.