Warehouse Manager - kdc/one Groveport

The Warehouse & Distribution Manager is responsible for optimizing and redefining the warehouse and distribution network supporting kdc/one, Lazerspot, and key customers, including Bath & Body Works (BBW) and Victoria’s Secret (VS). This role supports business growth, customer initiatives, new projects, and continuous improvement across warehouse and distribution operations.

This position leads, coaches, and develops a team of approximately 50–60 employees while overseeing inventory management, shipping and receiving, material staging, forklift operations, and label room activities across a three-shift, seven-day operation.

The Warehouse & Distribution Manager establishes and monitors key performance indicators (KPIs) to improve safety, quality, productivity, inventory accuracy, customer service, and cost efficiency. The role ensures raw materials, packaging components, and finished goods are managed accurately and that materials are staged on time to support uninterrupted production.

A strong focus on safety, quality, operational discipline, and continuous improvement is essential. The successful candidate will drive consistent use of SAP, EWM/WMS systems, and RF scanning while developing standardized training programs, operating procedures, and shift-to-shift communication. This leader will promote Lean, 5S, Gemba, and Six Sigma principles to improve warehouse performance and ensure compliance with established SOPs, BPPs, and work instructions.

Warehouse & Distribution Operations

• Direct daily warehouse operations, including shipping and receiving, forklift operations, label room activities, inventory movement, and material staging.

• Ensure materials and components are pulled, staged, and delivered to production on time to meet production schedules and on-time, in-full (OTIF) requirements.

• Oversee inbound and outbound dock traffic across all three shifts, seven days a week.

• Evaluate and optimize warehouse layouts using ABC/XYZ inventory classifications to improve product accessibility, reduce unnecessary pallet handling, and increase outbound efficiency.

• Support business growth, new product launches, equipment implementation, and key customer initiatives.

Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Establish and maintain a strong safety culture, ensuring compliance with OSHA requirements, applicable GMP standards, and company policies.

• Maintain clean, organized, and safe warehouse operations across all shifts through consistent 5S practices and regular Gemba walks.

• Lead investigations into safety incidents, inventory errors, and quality issues, implementing corrective and preventive actions.

• Ensure employees have the required training, personal protective equipment (PPE), technology, and material-handling equipment to perform their jobs safely.

Inventory Management & Systems

• Oversee inventory accuracy and control for raw materials, packaging components, and finished goods.

• Establish procedures for inventory reconciliation, variance investigation, transaction accuracy, and inventory-level management.

• Audit SAP transactions related to inventory movements and implement corrective actions to resolve discrepancies.

• Partner with customers and internal teams on distribution requirements, book-to-book reconciliations, and physical inventory valuations.

• Ensure consistent use of SAP, EWM/WMS platforms, RF scanning, and established inventory management practices.

Leadership & Employee Development

• Lead, coach, mentor, and develop a team of approximately 50–60 employees, building accountability and operational capability.

• Establish clear performance expectations, conduct regular coaching sessions, and address performance issues.

• Develop and maintain training plans for SAP transactions, SOPs, BPPs, work instructions, and on-the-job procedures.

• Establish effective shift-transition meetings that communicate key KPIs, operational issues, priorities, and follow-up actions.

• Promote consistent operating practices, employee engagement, and continuous improvement across all shifts.

Performance & Continuous Improvement

• Establish and monitor KPIs and scorecards to measure safety, quality, inventory accuracy, productivity, service, and cost performance.

• Communicate performance results to internal stakeholders and external customers as appropriate.

• Drive Lean, Gemba, 5S, and Six Sigma initiatives to improve workflow, eliminate waste, increase capacity, and reduce unnecessary material handling.

• Optimize labor planning, overtime, equipment utilization, and warehouse movements to control operating costs.

• Lead the annual departmental budgeting process and manage expenses within established financial targets.

• Collaborate with Operations, Production Planning, Scheduling, Customer Service, Quality, and other cross-functional partners to resolve issues and improve overall performance.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Logistics, or a related field preferred.

• Minimum of 10 years of warehouse or distribution center experience, preferably in personal care, pharmaceuticals, food, or a similar manufacturing environment.

• Minimum of 5 years of management experience leading employees in a manufacturing or warehouse environment.

• Previous experience overseeing inventory control and working closely with production planning and scheduling.

• Required expertise in SAP, EWM/WMS systems, and RF scanning technology.

• Demonstrated experience managing large teams and warehouse operations across multiple shifts.

• Experience with inventory accuracy, warehouse optimization, KPI development, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• • Strong leadership, employee development, coaching, and accountability skills.

  • Advanced working knowledge of warehouse management systems, SAP, EWM/WMS, RF scanning, and Microsoft Office.

  • Familiarity with applicable GMP requirements and OSHA safety standards.

  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and root-cause analysis skills.

  • Ability to interpret operational data and use KPIs to drive measurable improvements.

  • Excellent communication, organization, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

  • Ability to manage competing priorities, make timely decisions, and resolve operational challenges in a fast-paced environment.

  • Strong planning and execution skills, with the ability to develop action plans that support business growth and operational goals.

  • Self-motivated, energetic, and results-oriented, with the ability to work independently and with minimal supervision.

  • Commitment to safety, quality, inventory accuracy, customer service, and continuous improvement.