Inbound Operations Supervisor

About the role

The Inbound Operations Supervisor is a people leader that drives the successful execution of all receiving freight and stocking activities. Reporting to the Inbound Operations Manager, this role is responsible for designing efficient and consistent methods of ensuring loads are scheduled and received on time, applicable paperwork is reconciled, OS&Ds are filed, and sellable quality parts are stocked. The supervisor ensures inbound teams are properly sorting, stocking, and reconciling products, holding their team to a high standard of operational execution while reinforcing a culture of engagement, empowerment, and problem-solving.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and implement functions of efficient inbound operations by instructing employees, monitoring progress, and troubleshooting as needed.
• Design and maintain organization of inbound freight (scheduling and unloading), receiving dock, stocking activities, housekeeping, and maintenance areas and protocols.
• Drive adherence to all security and safety rules and regulations, ensuring a safe environment for employees, including receiving, stocking, and customer return procedures.
• Maintain awareness of budget planning and enforce cost-saving initiatives and process improvements.
• Provide leadership to warehouse associates, promoting engagement and empowerment to solve problems and make operational decisions.
• Work with other distribution center management to investigate and resolve receiving errors; address errors with the team to mitigate future issues.
• Schedule team hours to ensure peak period coverage and efficiency.
• Protect company assets by ensuring proper equipment use and maintenance, securing buildings, and monitoring employees to prevent unauthorized merchandise removal.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction and implement process improvements to enhance operational efficiency.
• Foster a culture of engagement and empowerment, mentor team members, and facilitate problem-solving and decision-making.
• Oversee efficient and accurate methods of processing new freight and supervise put-away procedures for incoming freight and customer returns.
• Reconcile received loads daily to ensure proper receiving of product.

Requirements

• High School Diploma, general education degree (GED), or equivalent combination of experience and education.
• 1+ years’ experience within a distribution center or similar environment.
• Ability to comply with all safety requirements pertaining to job functions and general distribution center safety.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills; detail-oriented.
• Ability to develop and maintain cooperative working relationships.
• Use good judgment to carry out detailed instructions.
• Basic computer skills.
• Capable of lifting/moving heavy items up to 60 lbs.
• Forklift and pallet jack certified.

Preferred Qualifications

• 2+ years’ experience within a distribution center or similar environment.
• 1+ year’s proven experience in a managerial role and/or leading teams.
• Experience with Lean Six Sigma methodologies and tools.
• Diverse experience, especially within automotive or retail distribution centers.
• Proven experience performing quality functions (inspection, control, assurance, audits).
• Proficiency in using relevant tools and technology (MS Office, Promapp, Power BI, Visio, etc.).
• Customer-centric spirit and task-execution.
• Enthusiasm for data, analysis, and providing simple insights.
• Passion for solving complex challenges.
• Comfort influencing others, leading teams, managing stakeholders, and communicating clearly.
• Test-and-learn mentality and agile way of working to improve team products.

Leadership

• Embodies values: serve, perform, influence, respect, innovate, team.
• Effectively communicates by motivating and inspiring others through clear and proactive communication.
• Delivers results and drives customer success by committing to outcomes and making the customer the center of decisions.
• Makes balanced decisions and thinks strategically by being a forward thinker.
• Develops high-performing teams by providing inclusive leadership, attracting and developing talent, providing ongoing feedback, and building trust.

Physical Demands

• Lifting and Carrying: Ability to lift and carry objects typically 25 to 50 pounds or more.
• Pushing and Pulling: Capability to push and pull carts, pallet jacks, or other equipment loaded with materials.
• Standing and Walking: Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, often for the duration of a shift.
• Bending and Stooping: Capacity to bend, stoop, squat, and reach to retrieve items from shelves, bins, or storage racks.
• Climbing: Ability to climb ladders or stairs to access elevated storage areas or perform maintenance tasks.
• Operating Equipment: Proficiency in operating warehouse equipment such as forklifts, pallet jacks, and order pickers.
• Manual Dexterity: Ability to handle small objects, operate machinery controls, and perform precision tasks.
• Repetitive Motion: Ability to perform repetitive tasks safely throughout the shift.
• Physical Endurance: Stamina to work in a fast-paced environment and meet productivity targets, including long hours or overtime during peak periods.
• Safety Awareness: Commitment to following safety protocols to prevent workplace accidents and injuries.

Working Environment

Position operates in a warehouse setting with continuous exposure to industrial noise (e.g., forklifts, conveyors, machinery, and loading activities), bright overhead lighting, and varying temperatures due to limited climate control. Employees regularly work around moving equipment and mechanical operations and must remain alert to audible and visual safety signals in a fast-paced environment.