Warehouse Manager

Universalbeauty; Glendale Heights (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Universalbeauty is seeking a Warehouse Manager to run end-to-end warehouse operations in Illinois. You will oversee shipping, receiving, inventory control, production staging, and dock coordination to ensure OTIF performance and customer satisfaction.

Lead a team, develop staffing plans, and maintain accurate SAP locations and traceability. The role requires regulatory compliance knowledge, safety leadership, and a focus on continuous improvement within a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Five+ years in warehouse/shipping with three+ years in a leadership role.
• Experience in regulated environments (cosmetic/pharma helpful).
• Strong knowledge of inventory control, inbound/outbound, and dock ops.
• Familiarity with SAP ERP, RF scanners, and WMS systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all warehouse operations including shipping, receiving, storage, and inventory control.
• Coach and develop warehouse personnel with clear performance expectations.
• Develop staffing plans and manage labor utilization and training.
• Ensure materials are staged per production schedules and timelines.
• Maintain accurate SAP locations and lot/batch traceability.
• Coordinate carrier appointments and monitor freight/detention charges.
• Oversee dock operations, equipment safety, and PIT training/compliance.
• Support OTIF performance and investigate warehouse-related failures.
• Foster 5S housekeeping and a culture of safety and continuous improvement.
• Prepare for internal, customer, and regulatory audits with proper documentation.

Skills

Leadership

Team coordination

Problem-solving

Education

Associate's or Bachelor's degree

Tools

SAP ERP

RF scanners

Warehouse Management Systems

Job description

Job Summary:

The Warehouse Manager is responsible for the end-to-end management of warehouse operations, including shipping, receiving, inventory location control, material storage, production staging, finished goods management, dock operations, transportation coordination, warehouse organization, and inventory accuracy. This position provides leadership and daily oversight to ensure the safe, efficient, accurate, and timely movement of materials and finished goods while supporting production requirements and customer commitments.

The Warehouse Manager works closely with Production, Planning, Inventory, Quality, Customer Service, and other cross-functional departments to support product integrity, material availability, On-Time-In-Full (OTIF) performance, and continuous improvement. This role ensures compliance with FDA Cosmetic GMPs, ISO 22716, company policies, customer requirements, GMP, SOP, PPE, OSHA, and applicable workplace safety requirements.

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage all warehouse operations, including shipping, receiving, storage, inventory control, production staging, finished goods, dock operations, and transportation coordination.
• Supervise, coach, and develop warehouse personnel while establishing performance expectations, training requirements, and accountability.
• Develop staffing plans based on inbound, outbound, production, and workload requirements while managing labor utilization, overtime, cross-training, and productivity.
• Ensure raw materials, packaging components, corrugated, labels, and other materials are staged according to production schedules and established timelines.
• Monitor material shortages that may impact production or OTIF, coordinate material returns, and ensure warehouse SAP transactions are completed accurately and in real time.
• Maintain accurate SAP warehouse locations and inventory controls for raw materials, packaging, WIP, finished goods, HOLD, rejected, obsolete, returned, and released materials.
• Ensure proper segregation and status control of HOLD, rejected, damaged, expired, and returned inventory in partnership with Quality.
• Maintain applicable FIFO/FEFO requirements and lot/batch traceability throughout warehouse movements; support mock recalls and traceability exercises.
• Ensure materials and finished goods are received, stored, staged, handled, and shipped accurately in accordance with company procedures and customer requirements.
• Support OTIF performance and investigate warehouse-related failures, including late, short, damaged, or inaccurate shipments.
• Coordinate carrier appointments, monitor carrier performance, address missed pickups, track detention and accessorial charges, and investigate freight claims or transportation issues.
• Oversee dock operations and ensure trailer inspections, cleanliness and integrity checks, dock restraints, locks/chocks, and applicable loading and unloading procedures are followed.
• Partner with Maintenance to ensure dock doors, seals, levelers, PIT equipment, and other warehouse equipment remain operational and required repairs and preventive maintenance are completed.
• Ensure PIT inspections are completed and operators are properly trained and authorized to operate material-handling equipment.
• Maintain warehouse 5S, housekeeping, aisle, rack, dock, and staging‑area standards to promote a safe, organized, and efficient operation.
• Maintain warehouse and dock security controls, including secured exterior access, applicable seal controls, and investigation of unexplained inventory loss or unauthorized material movement.
• Ensure warehouse personnel comply with GMP, SOP, PPE, OSHA, equipment safety, material handling, and workplace safety requirements.
• Investigate inventory discrepancies, operational issues, safety incidents, process deviations, and other warehouse concerns; implement corrective actions as appropriate.
• Support internal, customer, regulatory, and third‑party audits by maintaining accurate documentation and warehouse readiness.
• Monitor warehouse KPIs and identify opportunities to improve safety, inventory accuracy, service, productivity, cost, and operational performance.
• Partner cross-functionally with Production, Planning, Quality, Inventory, Customer Service, Maintenance, and other departments to support operational and customer requirements.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Accountability & KPIs:

Performance and operational effectiveness will be measured through key indicators including:

Safety | GMP Compliance | Inventory Accuracy | OTIF | Shipping Accuracy | Production Material Availability | Cycle Count Accuracy | Warehouse Productivity | Labor/Overtime | Dock Performance | Damage/Shrink | 5S/Housekeeping

Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate's or Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Minimum of five (5) years of warehouse, shipping, receiving, or related manufacturing experience, with at least three (3) years of leadership experience.
• Experience leading warehouse teams in personal care, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, or another regulated environment preferred.
• Strong knowledge of warehouse operations, inventory control, production staging, shipping and receiving, dock operations, and freight coordination.
• Experience with SAP ERP, RF scanners, inventory transactions, and warehouse management systems.
• Forklift experience required; certification preferred.
• Working knowledge of FIFO/FEFO, lot/batch traceability, cycle counting, inventory control, and material status requirements.
• Working knowledge of FDA Cosmetic GMPs, ISO 22716, GMP, SOP, OSHA, PPE, and workplace safety requirements.
• Strong leadership, coaching, communication, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to manage labor, operational priorities, and performance expectations in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.
• Ability to analyze warehouse KPIs and drive improvements in safety, quality, inventory accuracy, productivity, and service.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with Production, Planning, Quality, Inventory, Customer Service, Maintenance, and other cross‑functional teams.
• Ability to stand, walk, and work throughout warehouse and dock areas for extended periods.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds independently and up to 100 pounds with assistance or appropriate equipment.
• Ability to work in varying temperatures, noise levels, and manufacturing environments while wearing required PPE.