Lean Warehouse Supervisor – Growth & Safety Lead

W. W. Grainger; Janesville (WI); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Imperial Supplies, a Grainger Company, is seeking a Distribution Center Supervisor in Janesville, Wisconsin to lead 20–30 associates and manage receiving/shipping operations. The role emphasizes asset control, continuous improvement, and close collaboration with Purchasing, HR, and Quality teams.

The position requires an Associate degree or equivalent warehousing leadership experience with 3–5 years in a similar role, and a strong focus on safety and process excellence.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or equivalent warehousing/distribution leadership experience.
• 3–5 years of manufacturing, warehousing, or distribution leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage receiving and/or shipping operation of the Regional Distribution Center; supervise 20-30 distribution associates.
• Oversee asset control, inventory accuracy, and lead continuous improvement projects in collaboration with Warehouse Supervisors and associates.
• Interface cross-functionally with Purchasing, Customer Service, Payroll, Human Resources and Quality Control teams.
• Direct and supervise departmental activities, including coaching, motivating associates, and making cost-control decisions to meet service criteria.
• Communicate effectively and foster an open, collaborative work environment.
• Recruit, train, and develop department associates; plan for short-term coverage and long-term staffing with analytics to support recommendations with guidance from Corporate HR and DC Manager.
• Evaluate associates and exercise authority regarding staffing, performance appraisals, promotions, salary recommendations, disciplinary notices, and terminations; maintain policy compliance.
• Demonstrate understanding of Lean principles and lead continuous improvement initiatives and events; coach and train direct reports in CI.
• Incorporate a strong safety focus into daily activities; maintain OSHA, Grainger, and Imperial safety standards; address unsafe conditions and schedule preventive maintenance and repairs for equipment.
• Recommend capital investments for warehouse space, industrial lift equipment and material handling needs.
• Process and report company records including labor, payroll, and inventory; ensure daily electronic confirmation of orders shipped and communicate with Customer Service and/or Sales when orders are not shipped.
• Oversee physical cycle counts as established by Corporate Accounting; notify relevant stakeholders when re-stock orders are completed or inventory discrepancies are found.

Skills

Leadership

Lean principles

Safety focus

Education

Associate degree or equivalent warehousing/distribution leadership experience

Job description

Imperial Supplies, a Grainger Company, is seeking a Distribution Center Supervisor in Janesville, Wisconsin to lead 20–30 associates and manage receiving/shipping operations. The role emphasizes asset control, continuous improvement, and close collaboration with Purchasing, HR, and Quality teams.

The position requires an Associate degree or equivalent warehousing leadership experience with 3–5 years in a similar role, and a strong focus on safety and process excellence.