Operations Lead

Updike Distribution Logistics, LLC; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Updike Distribution Logistics (UDL) in Phoenix, AZ seeks an experienced Operations Lead to oversee the day-to-day pool point operations. You will manage inbound receipt through outbound dispatch, ensuring customer KPIs, inventory accuracy, and on-time execution.

Key duties include coordinating inbound unloading, sorting, palletizing, and loading, while supervising daily labor and maintaining safety and quality standards.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of experience in pool point distribution operations.
• Experience managing high-volume retail distribution, cross-dock, or pool point operations.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily warehouse floor operations from inbound to outbound dispatch.
• Oversee inbound unloading, receiving, and outbound departures.
• Coordinate sorting, palletizing, staging, wrapping, loading of freight.
• Ensure SLAs and KPIs are consistently achieved and safety standards are met.
• Monitor productivity, inventory accuracy, and labor utilization.
• Investigate operational issues and implement corrective actions.

Skills

Pool point ops

High-volume distribution

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Multitasking

Tools

WMS

Excel

Job description

Position Summary

Updike Distribution Logistics (UDL) is seeking an experienced Operations Lead to oversee the day‑to‑day operations of a Pool Point Operation in Phoenix, AZ.

This role manages all warehouse floor operations from inbound receipt through outbound dispatch while ensuring customer KPI compliance, operational efficiency, inventory accuracy, and on‑time execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage all daily warehouse floor operations from inbound receipt through outbound dispatch.
• Oversee inbound trailer unloading and receiving activities.
• Coordinate the sorting, segmentation, palletizing, wrapping, staging, and loading of freight.
• Ensure all freight is processed accurately and ready for scheduled outbound departures.
• Coordinate daily labor assignments to support operational volume and customer requirements.
• Monitor warehouse flow to maximize productivity while maintaining safety and quality standards.
• Ensure all outbound shipments are prepared according to routing schedules and are ready for Independent Contractor (IC) departures.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and efficient warehouse operation.
• Ensure all customer service level agreements (SLAs) and operational KPIs are consistently achieved.
• Monitor performance metrics including on‑time departures, shipping accuracy, inventory accuracy, scan compliance, labor productivity, trailer turnaround time, product quality, and damage prevention.
• Investigate operational issues and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Partner with routing and dispatch teams to ensure outbound schedules are met and coordinate loading activities with ICs and transportation partners.
• Communicate operational issues that may impact customer service or delivery schedules.
• Maintain inventory accuracy throughout receiving, staging, and shipping operations; investigate discrepancies and shipping exceptions.
• Ensure compliance with company safety policies and OSHA regulations; maintain a safe, clean, and organized work environment.
• Continuous improvement: monitor daily operational and productivity reports, identify opportunities to improve warehouse flow, labor utilization, and operational efficiency, and support improvement initiatives that enhance service, productivity, and customer satisfaction.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of experience in pool point distribution operations.
• Experience managing high‑volume retail distribution, cross‑dock, or pool point operations.
• Strong knowledge of inbound receiving, freight sorting, segmentation, palletizing, staging, loading, and shipping operations.
• Experience coordinating warehouse associates in a fast‑paced environment.
• Strong understanding of warehouse productivity metrics and customer KPIs.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with the ability to interpret operational data and make informed decisions.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Self‑motivated with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining high levels of accuracy and customer service.
• Must be willing to work day or night shifts, weekends, and overtime as business needs require.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using Warehouse Management Systems (WMS).
• Knowledge of transportation routing and final‑mile delivery operations.
• Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement experience.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus.

Key Competencies

• Strong operational execution.
• Analytical and numbers‑driven.
• Customer‑focused.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Collaborative and team‑oriented.
• Self‑motivated with a strong work ethic.
• Strong problem‑solving abilities.
• Sense of urgency.
• High attention to detail.
• Continuous improvement mindset.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work in a warehouse environment with varying temperatures.
• Ability to work flexible schedules based on business needs.

Success in This Role

The successful candidate will ensure inbound freight is processed efficiently, outbound routes depart on time, customer KPIs are consistently achieved, inventory accuracy is maintained, and warehouse operations run safely and efficiently while delivering exceptional service to our customers.