Warehouse Lead Hand

CANADIAN JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Lead Hand (Warehouse)

REPORTS TO: Warehouse Supervisor

REVISED: Feb 2025

POSITION PURPOSE:

The Warehouse Lead Hand is responsible for assisting the Warehouse Supervisor in coordinating and overseeing daily warehouse activities. This role involves leading a team of warehouse workers, ensuring tasks are completed efficiently, and maintaining a safe and organized work environment. The Lead Hand serves as a point of contact for team members and helps resolve operational issues as they arise.

Operations:

1. Supervise and guide warehouse staff in daily tasks such as receiving, storing, picking, packing, and shipping goods in supervisor’s absence or as required.
2. Assign tasks to team members and ensure workloads are balanced.
3. Train new employees on warehouse procedures, safety protocols, and equipment usage.
4. Assist in coordinating inbound and outbound shipments, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
5. Monitor inventory levels and conduct regular stock checks to maintain accuracy.
6. Operate warehouse equipment such as forklifts, pallet jacks, and hand trucks as needed.
7. Ensure all warehouse activities comply with company policies and safety regulations.
8. Perform administrative work such as updating the daily Receiving Log, lot codes, shipping records, and tracking the Merchandising Report.
9. Assist the Warehouse Supervisor in daily Inventory Control, including coordination of daily ordering and delivery schedule.
10. Monitor employee hygiene and ensure GMP practices are followed according to SOP and brand standards.
11. Assist in preparing for the launch of new products, promotions, and orders as per the forecast.
12. Ensure all products are kept at the required safe temperature guidelines while receiving and shipping.
13. Assist in monitoring daily inventory and write-off controls, including FIFO standards.
14. Maintain the allergen policy in storage areas and avoid cross-contamination of any kind.
15. Perform other job duties and responsibilities as assigned by management.

Quality and Food Safety:

1. Ensure HACCP and SQF compliance.
2. Maintain any required mobile equipment license and ensure staff is certified.
3. Assist the Food Center Manager in internal audits as required.

Human Resources & Safety:

1. Follow HR practices and procedures for positive discipline and provide regular motivational and corrective feedback to employees as required.
2. Assist the Warehouse Supervisor in updating SDS and attending monthly Health and Safety Meetings to ensure all regulations and requirements are met daily.
3. Promote and display proactive, positive leadership qualities to the team.
4. Provide direction and guidance to warehouse staff and drivers on performance, training, and positive discipline.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

1. Minimum grade 12 or equivalent.
2. Relative experience including Warehouse Supervisory Experience.
3. Supervisor skills and experience.
4. Strong communication skills.
5. Demonstrated leadership ability to effectively train other team members.
6. Must hold a valid Forklift Certification.

SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS/TRAVEL:

1. Reading - High School level.
2. Writing - High School level.
3. Math - High School level.
4. Basic Computer Skills including Excel Knowledge.
5. Travel - Minimal – No.
6. Ability to operate a fax machine for minimal ordering, pallet/power jack, forklift, or other warehouse equipment.

PHYSICAL EFFORT/WORKING CONDITIONS:

Must be able to work in a cold environment and lift a minimum of 20 lbs. to a maximum of 50 lbs.

DECISION MAKING/PROBLEM SOLVING/IMPACT:

1. Setting priorities.
2. Creating schedules.
3. Resolving product shortages and job situations.
4. Retrieving information when systems fail or shut down.
5. Resolving staff conflict.
6. Purchasing supplies and forecasting for product orders.

The list of requirements, duties, and responsibilities is not exhaustive but is the most accurate for the current position. Management reserves the right to revise the job description and require that other tasks be performed when job circumstances change (e.g., emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, or technical development).