Team Lead - Warehouse

Lifeway Foods, Inc.; Niles (IL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Lifeway Foods, Inc is seeking a Team Lead for the second shift in our warehouse to coordinate shipping, receiving, picking, staging, and inventory objectives. This role serves as a working lead who promotes productivity, quality, food safety, and compliance with company procedures.

The role reports to the Assistant Warehouse Manager and requires leadership, strong communication, and 2+ years of warehouse experience. High school diploma or GED and ability to lift up to 50 pounds are required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 2+ years warehouse experience required; lead or team leadership experience preferred.
• Experience in food manufacturing, cold storage, or fast-paced distribution preferred.
• Ability to lead by example and build strong working relationships across the shift.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Basic computer skills and ability to complete warehouse records or system transactions accurately.
• Experience operating warehouse equipment such as pallet jacks or forklifts, if certified and authorized.
• Understanding inventory control, product rotation, and order accuracy expectations.
• Knowledge of safety, sanitation, and GMP or food safety practices preferred.
• Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, lift, and move throughout the shift.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to work in a warehouse environment with refrigerated or cooler conditions.
• Ability to operate warehouse equipment and work around moving machinery.
• Overtime, weekends, or adjusted hours based on business needs.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate assigned warehouse team during the second shift to meet shipping, receiving, picking, staging, and inventory objectives.
• Assign tasks, monitor workflow, and adjust priorities based on production and customer order needs.
• Support loading and unloading activities and ensure materials are stored, rotated, and handled properly.
• Promote safety, food safety, sanitation, quality, and warehouse procedure compliance.
• Train and coach team members on standard work, equipment use, and productivity expectations.
• Monitor order accuracy, inventory movement, and product condition to reduce errors and waste.
• Communicate shift issues and inventory discrepancies to the Assistant Warehouse Manager.
• Assist with cycle counts, inventory checks, and recordkeeping as required.
• Keep warehouse areas clean, organized, and inspection-ready.
• Collaborate with production, quality, shipping, and receiving teams to ensure on-time movement of materials.

Skills

Team leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Organizational skills

Computer skills

Forklift experience

Bilingual EN/ES

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Pallet jacks

Forklift certified

Job description

Lifeway Foods (NASDAQ: LWAY), which has been recognized as one of Forbes’ Best Small Companies, is America’s leading supplier of the probiotic beverage known as Kefir. In addition to its line of drinkable Kefir, the company also produces cheese, drinkable yogurt, and a ProBugs line of Kefir for kids. Lifeway’s tart and tangy fermented dairy products are sold across the United States, Mexico, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.

Summary

The Team Lead is responsible for supporting daily warehouse operations during the second shift by coordinating workflow, guiding warehouse staff, helping ensure safe and efficient material handling, and maintaining inventory accuracy. This role serves as a working lead who promotes productivity, quality, food safety, and compliance with company procedures while reporting operational issues and shift performance to the Assistant Warehouse Manager.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate assigned warehouse team members during the second shift to meet daily shipping, receiving, picking, staging, and inventory objectives
• Assign tasks, monitor workflow, and adjust priorities based on production and customer order needs
• Support loading and unloading activities and ensure materials are stored, rotated, and handled properly
• Promote compliance with safety, food safety, sanitation, quality, and warehouse operating procedures
• Train and coach team members on standard work, equipment use, productivity expectations, and safe work practices
• Monitor order accuracy, inventory movement, pallet quality, labeling, and product condition to reduce errors and waste
• Communicate shift issues, staffing concerns, equipment problems, and inventory discrepancies to the Assistant Warehouse Manager in a timely manner
• Assist with cycle counts, inventory checks, documentation, and recordkeeping as required
• Help ensure warehouse areas remain clean, organized, and inspection-ready at all times
• Work collaboratively with production, quality, shipping, and receiving teams to support on-time and accurate movement of materials
• Provide hands-on support in daily warehouse tasks as needed to keep operations running efficiently
• Assist with enforcing attendance, work rules, and company policies in partnership with management
• Support continuous improvement efforts to improve safety, productivity, accuracy, and workflow
• Conduct behavior in compliance with Lifeway Employee Policy
• Perform additional duties as assigned

Qualification and Education Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required
• 2+ years of warehouse experience required; prior lead or team leadership experience preferred
• Experience in food manufacturing, cold storage, or a fast-paced distribution environment preferred
• Ability to lead by example and build strong working relationships across the shift
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills
• Basic computer skills and ability to complete warehouse records or system transactions accurately
• Experience operating warehouse equipment such as pallet jacks or forklifts preferred, if certified and authorized
• Understanding inventory control, product rotation, and order accuracy expectations
• Knowledge of safety, sanitation, and GMP or food safety practices preferred
• Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, lift, and move throughout the shift
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation
• Ability to work in a warehouse environment that may include refrigerated or cooler conditions
• Ability to safely operate warehouse equipment and work around moving machinery
• Flexibility to work overtime, weekends, or adjusted hours based on business needs

Lifeway Foods, Inc is a growing Chicago-based beverage manufacturer with 40 years of experience. We are an industry leader in the production of high-quality Kefir. We are anequal-opportunityemployer and offer a competitive benefits package. Visit us atwww.lifewaykefir.com.