Warehouse Manager

The Warehouse Manager provides strategic leadership and daily operational oversight for both Dry Goods and Freezer Warehouse Operations. This role is responsible for achieving established performance goals while ensuring full compliance with all regulatory requirements and company safety standards. The Warehouse Manager leads a team of more than 40 team members and manages an operating budget exceeding $10M.

Success in this role requires a strong commitment to The Hudsonville Way by demonstrating teamwork, positivity, integrity, and a strong work ethic in every aspect of warehouse leadership.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on, people-focused leader who drives results, develops high-performing teams, and makes sound decisions in a fast-paced environment. This leader consistently models the behaviors that create a safe, efficient, and highly engaged workplace.

Duties & Responsibilities
Leadership & Team Development
• Lead, recruit, train, develop, and provide performance feedback to direct reports to ensure productivity, efficiency, and effectiveness.
• Set clear goals, coach team members, and maintain accountability for warehouse performance and team engagement.

Operational Excellence
• Facilitate and support processes that ensure proper receipt, storage, handling, and distribution of food products, exceeding HIC safety, food quality, and team member health and safety standards.
• Oversee inventory storage and shipment transactions through ERP and Warehouse Management Systems (WMS).
• Maintain the physical condition of the warehouse by planning and implementing layout improvements, inspecting equipment, and coordinating repairs or replacements.
• Provide strategic guidance for enhancements to the WMS and other operational systems.
• Ensure timely and accurate production support by managing raw and pack ingredients across onsite and offsite storage locations.

Performance & Continuous Improvement
• Achieve company performance goals, including Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) such as safety, EBITDA, truck turn times, and customer service targets.
• Review and analyze warehouse activities, workflows, and costs to identify opportunities for process improvement.
• Monitor and manage budgets, capital expenditures, material-handling equipment, and warehouse space, including offsite storage, to meet company performance objectives.

Customer & Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Collaborate with Sales, including planning new account strategies, developing, and quoting rates, negotiating, and establishing contracts. 
• Maintain strong customer service focus across warehouse operations.
• Own relationships, contracts, and negotiations with external customers and cold storage suppliers.

Disclaimer
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this role. They should not be interpreted as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Team members may be required to perform duties outside of their usual responsibilities as needed.

Qualifications
Education & Experience
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Operations Management, Business, or related field; preferred. Equivalent work experience considered.
• Minimum of 5 years of Operations Management experience in Supply Chain or related field.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience managing cost controls, labor efficiency, and bottom-line performance.
• Minimum of 2 years overseeing, coaching, and developing team members in operational roles.
• Demonstrated experience working within ERPs and Warehouse Management Systems (WMS).
• Experience in food manufacturing, dry goods, or freezer/cold storage environments preferred.


Skills & Competencies
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to set direction, motivate teams, and drive accountability.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external partners.
• Ability to lead discussions, present information, and facilitate meetings.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of warehouse safety practices and regulatory compliance (OSHA, GMPs).
• Ability to lead operations across dry goods and freezer warehouse environments.

Physical Requirements
Mobility & Endurance
• Stand, walk, bend, twist, and reach for extended periods.
• Climb in and out of forklifts safely.

Physical Strength
• Lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds independently.
• Safely maneuver pallets, materials, and equipment in slippery spaces.
• Perform repetitive tasks such as scanning, lifting, stacking, and loading, and unloading.

Manual Dexterity & Fine Motor Skills
• Maintain reliable hand-eye coordination for safe product handling and equipment operation.
• Grip, grasp, and manipulate shrink wrap, pallet straps, scanner devices, and paperwork.

Visual Acuity
• Read labels, work orders, and inventory documents accurately with or without correction.
• Scan barcodes and monitor equipment displays to ensure accuracy.

Hearing Acuity & Responsiveness in Communication
• Hear and respond to instructions, alarms, and equipment signals in a warehouse environment with or without correction.
• Communicate effectively with team members, drivers, and supervisors, including via radios or electronic devices.

Temperature Tolerance
• Work in freezer environments at –20°F for extended periods of time (with PPE provided).
• Transition between freezer, cooler, and ambient warehouse environments as needed.

Situational Awareness
• Remain alert around powered equipment, moving pallets, and co-workers in a fast-paced warehouse environment.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Properly wear and maintain company-issued PPE, including freezer gear, gloves, boots, and other equipment as required.

Work Environment
The Warehouse Manager works in a dynamic warehouse environment that includes exposure to varying
temperatures, including extended periods in –20°F freezer areas, cooler, and ambient storage warehouse
temperatures. The role involves working around moving equipment such as forklifts and pallet jacks, as well as
frequent interaction with production teams, warehouse teammates, and drivers. Noise levels can vary from
moderate to high, and proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is required at all times.