Sr. Warehouse Operations Manager

Confidential; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential in Chicago is seeking a Sr. Warehouse Operations Manager to lead warehouse operations in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. This role requires balancing people leadership with hands-on execution and driving accountability and continuous improvement.

You will partner with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality and Safety to ensure materials and finished goods move efficiently and safely, while developing leaders and establishing clear expectations for performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• 7+ years of warehouse/distribution/supply chain experience in manufacturing.
• 4+ years leading managers and/or supervisors.
• Experience with ERP/WMS systems and performance metrics.

Responsibilities

• Lead overall warehouse operations including receiving, inventory, storage, staging and shipping.
• Establish clear performance expectations and hold leaders accountable for results.
• Develop and coach warehouse leadership teams to strengthen ownership and execution.
• Drive safety, productivity, inventory accuracy, service levels, labor efficiency and on-time performance.
• Identify gaps and implement corrective actions to improve results.
• Partner with Manufacturing and Supply Chain to ensure material availability.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, quality standards and regulatory requirements.
• Utilize data and performance reporting to identify trends and drive improvement.

Skills

People leadership

Operational excellence

Data-driven decisions

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain

Tools

ERP/WMS systems

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Sr. Warehouse Operations Manager to lead warehouse operations within a fast-paced manufacturing environment. This leader will be responsible for driving operational performance, developing leaders, establishing clear expectations, and creating a culture of accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on, results-driven leader who can balance people leadership with operational execution. This individual will hold leaders and team members accountable to performance expectations while partnering closely with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Safety, and other functions to ensure materials and finished goods move efficiently and accurately through the operation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead overall warehouse operations, including receiving, material movement, inventory, storage, staging, and shipping.


• Establish clear performance expectations and hold leaders and team members accountable for results.


• Lead, coach, and develop warehouse leadership teams to strengthen ownership, decision-making, and execution.


• Drive key operational metrics including safety, productivity, inventory accuracy, service levels, labor efficiency, and on-time performance.


• Identify performance gaps and implement sustainable corrective actions to improve operational results.


• Create a culture of urgency, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.


• Partner with Manufacturing and Supply Chain leadership to ensure materials are available when and where needed to support production.


• Ensure warehouse processes and practices comply with company policies, food safety requirements, quality standards, and regulatory expectations.


• Develop and maintain effective staffing, scheduling, labor utilization, and workforce planning strategies.


• Establish consistent operating standards, processes, and communication routines across warehouse teams.


• Utilize data and performance reporting to identify trends, prioritize opportunities, and drive measurable improvement.


• Lead change initiatives and operational improvements that increase efficiency, reduce waste, and improve service.


• Ensure a safe, clean, organized, and high-performing warehouse environment.


• Communicate operational priorities, expectations, and results clearly to leadership and the broader team.


• Set the standard: Model the behaviors, work ethic, and accountability expected throughout the organization.


• Lead through leaders: Develop supervisors and managers to effectively manage performance and build strong teams.


• Own the results: Take accountability for warehouse performance and proactively address issues rather than allowing problems to persist.


• Drive performance: Establish measurable goals and consistently follow through on commitments.


• Develop people: Build capability, identify high-potential talent, and address performance gaps with consistency and fairness.


• Create alignment: Build strong partnerships across Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, Safety, and other functions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Business, or a related field preferred.


• 7+ years of progressive warehouse, distribution, materials, or supply chain experience within a manufacturing environment.


• 4+ years of experience leading managers and/or supervisors.


• Demonstrated success improving operational performance and accountability.


• Strong knowledge of warehouse operations, inventory management, material flow, and labor management.


• Experience with ERP/WMS systems and operational performance metrics.


• Strong problem-solving, communication, and change-management skills.


• Proven ability to lead in a fast-paced, performance-driven environment.


• Food manufacturing experience required.

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role means warehouse performance is improving, leaders are leading, expectations are clear, and accountability is consistent. The Sr. Warehouse Operations Manager will create an operation where people understand what is expected, leaders actively manage performance, and the team continually looks for ways to work safer, smarter, and more efficiently.