Warehouse Supervisor

Job Title:

Warehouse Supervisor Job Description The Warehouse Supervisor leads a high-volume, unionized parts processing center to achieve safety, quality, productivity, and responsiveness goals. This role oversees a large hourly workforce, drives performance and continuous improvement, and ensures strict adherence to workplace organization, safety procedures, and contractual requirements in a fast-paced, three-shift operation. Responsibilities Lead, supervise, and provide direct oversight to a large team of hourly warehouse employees, typically 25 to 100 operators within a shift. Meet departmental business objectives related to safety, quality, productivity, responsiveness, and throughput. Counsel and support hourly employees with their needs and concerns, maintaining open and effective communication. Address employee performance behaviors by recognizing and reinforcing positive performance and discouraging, correcting, and disciplining negative behaviors. Administer progressive discipline, including verbal counseling, written documentation, and termination when necessary, in accordance with policies and union guidelines. Demonstrate effective leadership in a union environment, working closely with union-represented employees and respecting contractual (national and local) requirements. Use structured problem-solving methods, including the Quality Network problem solving process, to identify, analyze, and resolve issues within the department. Apply Workplace Organization (WPO) principles to improve warehouse layouts, workflows, and overall operational efficiency. Utilize the A-3 reporting format to document problem-solving activities and follow local A-3 guidelines for continuous improvement initiatives. Perform daily Timekeeping System (TKS) updates to ensure accurate and timely processing of payroll data for all supervised employees. Conduct daily huddle meetings with the team to communicate business performance, safety topics, shift priorities, and to encourage two-way dialogue and feedback. Perform and document weekly safety observation tours of the department to identify risks, reinforce safe behaviors, and ensure compliance with safety procedures. Plan the daily workload in advance, aligning staffing, equipment, and priorities to meet production and shipping requirements. Support fellow supervisors and colleagues to optimize overall shift performance and maintain smooth operations across all departments. Enforce shop rules consistently and fairly, ensuring all team members follow established policies and procedures. Perform daily Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) audit checks to verify compliance and identify opportunities for process improvements. Advance personal leadership and technical skills through the Individual Development Plan (IDP) process and ongoing learning. Keep leadership and relevant committees informed of pending activities, operational issues, and key performance updates. Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment while ensuring that operators follow housekeeping and safety standards. Manage shifting priorities in a fast-paced environment, balancing coaching, performance management, safety, and reporting throughout the shift. Monitor and report team goals and performance metrics during the shift, including productivity, quality, and safety indicators. Coordinate with shipping, receiving, and warehouse operations to ensure accurate parts processing, packaging, staging, and timely movement to shipping. Support the implementation and adoption of new equipment and automation technologies to increase throughput and worker efficiency. Demonstrate empathy and strong people skills while still driving performance and holding employees accountable for meeting expectations. Work flexible hours, including multiple shifts, weekends, overtime, and holidays as business needs require, ensuring adequate supervision coverage. Essential Skills Proven leadership experience supervising at least 30 or more employees, clearly demonstrated on the resume. Minimum of 3+ years of leadership experience within warehouse operations. Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, and coach a diverse group of employees while driving performance. Experience holding employees accountable, including addressing behavior issues and administering disciplinary actions. Strong supervisory and management skills, including direct supervision of hourly employees. Experience managing or leading in a union environment, preferably with UAW-represented employees. Ability to perform progressive discipline, including verbal counseling, written documentation, and termination when required. Experience in warehouse management and warehouse operations, including shipping and receiving activities. Knowledge of safety procedures and the ability to promote and enforce a safe working environment. Strong people skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse workforce, understand their needs, and remain empathetic while maintaining performance standards. Ability to multitask and operate effectively in a very fast-paced environment with constantly changing priorities. Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to maintain performance and composure when faced with operational challenges. Ability to plan workloads, manage time effectively, and meet daily operational targets. Comfort working extended hours, including overtime, weekends, and frequent long stretches with limited days off. Additional Skills & Qualifications UAW or union leadership experience is a strong plus. Experience in automotive manufacturing, automotive industry operations, or parts distribution environments. Familiarity with Timekeeping System (TKS) or similar time and attendance systems, such as Kronos. Exposure to structured problem-solving methodologies, including Quality Network processes and A-3 reporting. Experience with Workplace Organization (WPO) or similar lean/continuous improvement practices. Experience in managing safety programs, conducting safety observations, and reinforcing safe work behaviors. Comfort working within large-scale operations with multiple supervisors and a sizeable hourly workforce. Ability to use basic office and reporting tools to track goals, document activities, and communicate performance. Why Work Here? This role offers the opportunity to join a large, growth-focused facility that actively invests in developing its people and promoting from within. The operation places a strong emphasis on professional development, often advancing high-performing contract employees into direct roles and providing opportunities to move into other locations within the broader network. Employees benefit from exposure to new technologies and automation, a culture that values talent mobility, and a dynamic environment where strong performance and leadership can lead to meaningful career progression. Work Environment The facility operates as a high-volume parts processing center that supports a major dealership network. It runs on a three-shift schedule: 1st shift from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., 2nd shift from 3:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., and 3rd shift from 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Supervisors are expected to arrive 30 minutes before their shift for pre-shift meetings, and overtime typically occurs at the end of the shift. Although the position is aligned to 1st shift, all candidates must be fully flexible and willing to work any shift and weekends based on business needs. The typical workweek involves approximately 9-hour days Monday through Saturday, with Sunday shifts of about 8 hours as needed. It is common to work 6 to 7 days per week, with 9 to 12-hour days, and there may be stretches of several weeks with no days off. Work on holidays is possible and occurs frequently, with the exception of Christm