Put Away Manager

Put Away Manager

Position Summary

The Put Away Manager is responsible for overseeing all put-away operations within a high-volume food distribution warehouse. This role ensures inbound inventory is received, verified, accurately scanned into the Warehouse Management System (WMS), and efficiently moved into the correct storage locations to support warehouse productivity and customer service.

The Put Away Manager leads warehouse associates and forklift operators while supporting inventory accuracy, food safety compliance, operational efficiency, and merchandising standards. This position serves as a critical link between Receiving, Inventory Control, Picking Operations, Transportation, and Purchasing to ensure seamless warehouse operations.

The Put Away Manager reports directly to the Warehouse Manager and performs additional warehouse-related duties as assigned.

Essential Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management

• Supervise, train, and develop a team of approximately 8–15 warehouse associates and forklift operators.
• Schedule labor based on inbound volume and operational requirements.
• Assign daily work and monitor employee productivity.
• Conduct ongoing coaching, training, and corrective actions as needed.
• Lead team meetings and communicate operational priorities.
• Promote a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Receiving: Prioritize unloading and storage.
• Logistics: Act as a liaison between the Receiving department and Buyers to ensure proper flow of inbound orders.

Inventory Placement & Put Away Operations

• Direct all put-away activities from receiving docks to warehouse storage locations.
• Ensure products are stored in designated warehouse locations according to slotting strategies and operational requirements.
• Maintain proper storage of refrigerated, frozen, produce, allergen, and dry goods products.
• Optimize warehouse space utilization and prevent inventory congestion.
• Coordinate urgent replenishments to support picking operations.
• Maintain adequate space for incoming inventory and ensure timely removal of product from receiving areas.
• Consolidate pallets and maintain organized warehouse storage areas.

Inventory Accuracy & Warehouse Systems

• Verify products are accurately scanned and recorded in the Warehouse Management System (WMS).
• Minimize lost, misplaced, or damaged inventory.
• Support cycle counts, physical inventories, and audit activities.
• Monitor inventory locations to ensure accurate product availability.
• Utilize Outs Reports and inventory reports to prioritize replenishment activities.
• Holiday inventory planning and seasonal storage capacity
• Rack redesign recommendations

Cash & Carry, Pick Area & Merchandising

• Ensure products remain fully stocked and available for customers and order selectors.
• Maintain proper product rotation and shelf presentation.
• Build and maintain displays, end caps, and promotional merchandising.
• Verify pricing tags, signage, and displayed products are accurate.
• Assist customers with locating products and resolving inventory discrepancies.
• Support loading customer orders when necessary.

Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Maintain FIFO (First In, First Out) and FEFO (First Expired, First Out) inventory practices.
• Ensure temperature-sensitive products are placed into proper storage immediately.
• Monitor product handling to prevent contamination and damage.
• Ensure compliance with FDA, USDA, HACCP, company food safety programs, and all warehouse sanitation standards.
• Conduct regular inspections of product quality and storage conditions.
• Allergen safety

Safety & Facility Management

• Enforce all company safety policies and procedures.
• Conduct safety observations and warehouse inspections.
• Provide equipment certification and operational training.
• Inspect and report facility damages, maintenance issues, and equipment concerns.
• Maintain clean, organized, and safe work areas throughout assigned departments.

Cross-Functional Coordination

The Put Away Manager works closely with:

• Purchasing: Plan for large inbound orders and seasonal inventory.
• Inventory Control: Resolve discrepancies and maintain accuracy.
• Order Selection: Ensure inventory is available and correctly slotted for efficient picking.
• Transportation: Coordinate when trailers are used for temporary storage or overflow.
• Quality Assurance/Food Safety: Handle damaged, recalled, or temperature-sensitive products.

Daily Responsibilities

• Review inbound schedules and receiving volume.
• Review Outs Reports and prioritize replenishment activities.
• Assign operators and warehouse associates to work zones.
• Monitor pallet movement from receiving to storage.
• Verify inventory is properly scanned into WMS.
• Resolve inventory location issues and system discrepancies.
• Stock and replenish inventory.
• Maintain product rotation and quality standards.
• Monitor warehouse organization and cleanliness.
• Assist with customer service needs and loading operations.
• Conduct floor walks and safety inspections.

Weekly Responsibilities

• Audit inventory rotation practices and report short coded product.
• Audit Cash & Carry tags, signs, and product locations.
• Review warehouse slotting effectiveness.
• Conduct facility and equipment inspections.
• Review inventory accuracy reports.
• Conduct employee training and development sessions.
• Analyze productivity and labor performance metrics.
• Enforce safe work practices and food safety standards.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Performance will be measured by:

Operational Metrics

• Put Away Time per Pallet target within 4 hours in development
• Dock-to-Stock Time in development
• Pallets/Cases Put Away per Labor Hour

Inventory Metrics

• Out-of-Stock Percentage
• Lost or Misplaced Inventory GCK
• Damage Rate in development
• Warehouse damages
• Delivery damages
• Receiving damages from vendors

Management Goals

• Achievement of all goals established by the Warehouse Manager and General Manager.
• Continuous improvement in labor efficiency, inventory turns, warehouse throughput, and operational performance.

Qualifications

Required

· In office presence, remote work not available.

· Bilingual in Spanish and English is highly preferred.

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Basic math and computer skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Warehouse leadership or supervisory experience.
• Ability to operate or learn warehouse management systems (WMS).
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• High attention to detail and ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred

• Experience in food distribution, wholesale, or grocery warehouse operations.
• Food safety experience and knowledge of HACCP, FDA, and USDA requirements.
• Forklift and material handling equipment experience.
• Experience with warehouse slotting and inventory control processes.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to lift and move products weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work in refrigerated, freezer, and warehouse environments.
• Ability to safely operate warehouse equipment when needed.

Benefits

Eligible employees may participate in company benefit programs, including:

• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 401(k) / Profit Sharing Plan
• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• AFLAC Accident & Disability Coverage

Success in This Role

A successful Put Away Manager ensures inventory moves quickly, safely, and accurately from the receiving dock into the correct storage location, enabling the entire warehouse operation to function efficiently and meet customer demand without delays.

Pay: $75,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan

Work Location: In person