Manager Shipping & Distribution

KNAPP brings new technology to warehouse automation. The KNAPP Group is a global provider of intelligent automation solutions for intralogistics and manufacturing, specializing in the sectors healthcare, fashion/apparel, general retail, food retail, industry and service. We live and breathe automation. With more than 8,000 employees in over 60 locations worldwide, we shape the future-oriented industry of intralogistics and are dedicated to making complexity simple. One of KNAPP’s primary goals is to use continuous innovation to drive warehouse automation forward, always with the specific needs of the customers in mind.

About the Role

The Manager Shipping & Distribution is responsible for the full operational leadership of warehouse execution and outbound distribution within the Spare Parts & Stock Logistics Department. This role ensures seamless material flow, accuracy in order fulfillment, and alignment with KNAPP operational standards while leading a team that interacts with advanced warehouse systems and logistics processes.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily warehouse operations to ensure efficient workflow and execution.
• Ensure timely and accurate inbound and picking activities coordination with the Warehouse Team Lead.
• Develop and execute effective distribution strategies aligned with business priorities.
• Manage carrier relationships and monitor freight costs to ensure cost-effective solutions.
• Ensure adherence to customer shipments promise dates.
• Lead escalation management efforts to resolve issues impacting warehouse performance.
• Drive cross-functional logistic alignment and execution.
• Safeguard inventory accuracy and ERP/EWM system integrity.

Key Responsibilities

Distribution Strategy & Freight Management

• Own outbound freight strategy (parcel, LTL, FTL, air freight, courier, international export).
• Negotiate and manage carrier relationships, rate structures, and service agreements.
• Monitor freight spending and implement cost optimization initiatives.
• Ensure export compliance, customs documentation accuracy, and international shipment adherence.

Customer SLA & Shipment Performance Ownership

• Ensure on-time shipment performance aligned with customers’ promise dates.
• Serve as an escalation point for late shipments, carrier failures, or service risks.
• Partner with Customer Service and Sales to resolve shipping disputes and claims.
• Support revenue recognition timelines through shipment discipline and documentation.

Oversight of Warehouse Execution

• Manage day-to-day receiving/picking.
• Directly manage and develop the Warehouse Team Lead.
• Ensure receiving and picking execution supports outbound shipping priorities.
• Align staffing plans with shipment volume forecasts.
• Support escalation management when warehouse execution risks shipment commitments.

Process Optimization & Continuous Improvement

• Identify and implement workflow improvements across shipping, staging, and dispatch.
• Drive reduction of picking errors impacting outbound quality.
• Improve dock flow, staging strategy, and carrier handoff efficiency.
• Lead automation/system enhancement initiatives impacting distribution performance.

KPI Management & Reporting

• Provide a weekly operational distribution summary to the Director Spare Parts.
• Provide monthly cost and performance analysis with a corrective action plan.

Compliance, Risk & Quality Control

• Ensure adherence to OSHA and corporate safety standards.
• Ensure proper record retention for audit and financial reporting.
• Lead freight claims and damage investigation process.

Leadership & Organizational Development

• Develop Warehouse Team Lead into strong operational executors.
• Establish culture of urgency, accountability, and accuracy.
• Set clear performance standards and measurable goals.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Logistics, Business or equivalent combination of education, experience and training.
• 5+ years’ experience in shipping, freight management, or distribution leadership.
• Experience in managing carriers and freight spend budgets.
• Experience in automated or high-accuracy warehouse environments preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong knowledge of domestic and international freight regulations.
• Deep understanding of export documentation and customs processes.
• Proficiency in SAP / EWM or equivalent WMS systems.
• Financial awareness (freight cost analysis, budget tracking).
• Strong leadership and performance management capability.
• Ability to operate in high-pressure, customer-critical environment.
• Structured problem solver with continuous improvement mindset.

Working Conditions

• Authorization to work in the U.S.
• Travel required up to 10%.
• Passport or ability to obtain passport.
• Ability to travel by air both domestically (US) and internationally (primarily to Austria and other parts of Europe as well as Canada).
• Physical requirements: sitting for long periods of time, standing, walking, climbing a ladder, speaking, visual acuity, finger dexterity, listening, reaching at arm’s length, and lifting up to 50 pounds.

Benefits

• Half day Fridays.
• A beautiful new, state-of-the-art, office complex in Kennesaw, GA.
• Industry competitive compensation.
• Great benefits with better than average employer contributions, including health, dental, vision, life insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Short & Long Term Disability and more.
• 401k with a very generous employer match and no vesting.
• Paid Vacation & Holidays.
• Profit Sharing.
• Paid Parental Leave.
• Subsidized Daycare.
• Tuition Reimbursement.
• Pet Insurance.
• Subsidized food delivery.
• Monthly celebrations.
• Quarterly employee events.
• Corporate Social Responsibility including recycling, sustainability and volunteering.