Warehouse Operations Manager

University of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 72,000 - 94,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Chicago Press Distribution Center in Chicago seeks a skilled operations supervisor reporting to the Director of Warehouse and Building Operations. You will assist in managing the Distribution Center staff across inbound, pick/pack/ship, returns, and inventory controls, coordinating with warehouse unit managers on daily operations and special projects.

Candidates should bring 5–7 years of related experience, a college degree, strong leadership and communication skills, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5–7 years of related work experience in a production/warehouse environment.
• Ability to supervise and coordinate work across departments.

Responsibilities

• Supervise 60+ stock clerks across three departments.
• Understand department processes to allocate labor resources as needed.
• Provide training to union staff and enforce procedures to ensure continuity and inventory accountability.
• Administer corrective actions per university guidelines.
• Collaborate with Warehouse Unit Managers to update work guidelines and procedures.
• Manage production area inventory controls.
• Coordinate building management and oversee contractors and service requests.
• Maintain shipping and receiving records and resolve related issues with vendors.
• Perform other related work as needed.

Skills

Leadership

Delegation

Communication

Team coordination

Training

Education

College degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Warehouse Management Systems

Material handling equipment

Job description

Department

Press Distribution Operations

About the Department

The University of Chicago Press Distribution Center (CDC) fulfills orders of UChicago books as well as those of roughly 125 other scholarly publishers. Those orders primarily come from authors, professors, bookstores and major wholesalers.

Job Summary

This position will report to Director of Warehouse and Building Operations and be primarily responsible for assisting in the management of the Distribution Center staff involved in the inbound, pick/pack/ship, returns and inventory controls operations and coordinating with warehouse unit managers on daily operations and special projects as needed. This position is not eligible for employer-sponsored employment authorization.

Responsibilities

• Support workflow supervision of 60+ stock clerks across three departments.
• Must develop a comprehensive understanding of the various work processes of each department to effectively allocate and reallocate our labor resources as circumstances evolve during the workday.
• Position will provide training to union staff and participate in enforcing established work procedures to ensure work continuity and inventory accountability.
• Will administer and participate in corrective action procedures per university guidelines as needed.
• Work with Warehouse Unit Managers to collaboratively update/establish written work guidelines and procedures.
• Manage production area inventory controls.
• Collaborates with manager regarding building management and maintenance. Places and monitors work requests. Supervises projects, and serves as liaison to central facilities staff and outside contractors.
• Maintains shipping and receiving activities and records. Resolves related shipping, receiving, and distribution problems. Coordinates with vendors and Budget to ensure that quality and pricing of supplies and equipment meet expectations.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Work Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
• Certifications: ---

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience: Five years' experience supervising or coordination work in a production environment.
• Word-processing experience and the ability to work with and understand complex computer reports a must.

Technical Knowledge or Skills

• Microsoft Office skills and experience in Warehouse Management systems.
• Experience with material handling equipment a plus.
• Problem-solving skills.
• Strong leadership/delegation skills.
• Good communicator.

Preferred Competencies

• Understanding of Warehouse Operations required.
• Ability to manage union employees and interact with managers from other warehouse departments.

Working Conditions

• Ability to stand for extended periods and exist in a warehouse environment.
• Perform other standard warehouse functions as needed.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover Letter (required)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

Job Family

Facilities Management

Role Impact

People Manager

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Range

$72,250.00 - $93,500.00 The included pay rate or range represents the University's good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Reasonable Accommodation for Job Seekers

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case‑by‑case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the