Shipping Lead

The Shipping Lead is responsible for coordinating the day-to-day activities of the Shipping and Distribution area to ensure finished work is accurately packed, labeled, staged, and shipped on time. This position provides hands-on leadership to the shipping team, helps prioritize work based on production and customer deadlines, and serves as a key communication link between Shipping, Production, Planning, and Customer Service.

The ideal candidate is organized, dependable, detail-oriented, and comfortable working in a fast-paced production environment where priorities can change throughout the day.

Essential Responsibilities

• Coordinate daily shipping activities and ensure orders are processed according to customer requirements and deadlines.

• Prioritize and stage shipments based on firm dates, carrier pickup times, customer requirements, and production completion.

• Monitor outgoing shipments and communicate delays or issues to management and appropriate departments.

• Provide daily direction to Shipping team members and help assign work based on priorities and workload.

• Train new employees on shipping procedures, equipment, safety requirements, and company expectations.

• Assist management in identifying staffing needs, workflow issues, and opportunities for improvement.

• Serve as the first point of contact for questions or problems within the Shipping department.

• Monitor the production floor and shipping queues to ensure completed work does not sit unnecessarily.

• Communicate potential missed deadlines, incomplete jobs, shortages, or other issues before they impact the customer.

• Help coordinate priorities when multiple time-sensitive shipments are competing for resources.

• Participate in daily production or operations meetings as needed.

• Inspect completed orders for obvious damage, quantity discrepancies, packaging issues, or incorrect labeling before shipment.

• Ensure customer-specific packing and shipping requirements are followed.

• Investigate shipping errors and help implement corrective actions to prevent repeat issues.

• Develop and implement new ways to streamline packaging on distribution jobs.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in shipping, warehouse, distribution, manufacturing, or a similar production environment.
• Previous lead or supervisory experience preferred.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to prioritize multiple jobs and changing deadlines.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently while also directing and supporting a team.
• Basic computer skills and ability to learn shipping and production software.
• Experience with Pace, shipping software, ERP/OMS systems, or similar production systems is a plus.
• Forklift certification or prior forklift experience preferred.
• Ability to regularly lift and move packages and materials as required by the position.