Shipping Manager

The Shipping Manager is responsible for overseeing the overall operation and strategic direction of the Shipping Department, ensuring alignment with the company’s objectives. This role leads the development and implementation of efficient shipping and warehouse processes, manages department performance, and drives continuous improvement initiatives. The Shipping Manager is accountable for operational accuracy, team leadership, and delivering exceptional service both internally and externally. This position oversees the shipping team in day-to-day operations, maintaining high levels of accuracy, and provides impeccable customer services. The Shipping Manager must ensure productivity targets are achieved and that all warehouse processes are running smoothly and promptly while serving as a positive leader for the department.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities Provides strategic leadership and direction for the shipping and warehouse operations, including inventory control, order fulfillment, and outbound logistics.

Develops, monitors, and manages departmental budgets; analyzes costs and implements strategies to achieve financial goals.

Establishes key performance indicators (KPIs); conducts regular performance analysis and reporting to identify strategic areas for improvement.

Evaluates, selects, and strategically manages partnerships with suppliers, logistics providers, and third-party vendors to ensure long-term operational efficiency; negotiates rates and maintains relationships to ensure cost-effective and reliable shipping services.

Identifies training requirements and professional development opportunities for the team, ensuring sustained departmental capability and growth.

Leads initiatives to integrate advanced technologies or systems aimed at optimizing warehouse and shipping operations.

Oversees audits and manages compliance programs related to warehouse and shipping regulations, ensuring adherence to industry best practices and legal requirements.

Oversees all inventory management functions, ensuring accurate and complete counts of product inventory, printed materials, and fixed assets. Monitors inventory levels to prevent stockouts and ensure readiness to meet order demands.

Develops and implements staffing plans and resource allocation strategies to meet daily, weekly, and long-term shipping goals.

Conducts regular evaluations of warehouse conditions, equipment functionality, and safety compliance with relevant regulatory bodies (e.g., cGMP, FDA, OSHA, CalOSHA) and safety standards and to identify potential hazards or areas needing improvement

Manages procurement and maintenance of equipment; oversees work orders and repair requisitions as needed.

Leads and manages warehouse team members, fostering a high-performance culture focused on accuracy, safety, and efficiency.

Designs and optimizes warehouse layout and workflow to ensure optimal space utilization and process flow.

Collaborates with executive leadership to establish and enforce customer-specific shipping protocols.

Ensures full compliance with workplace safety and security requirements, maintaining accountability for building and inventory integrity.

Upholds high standards of accuracy, timeliness, and quality in all departmental activities.

Facilitates cross-functional communication with internal teams to ensure alignment of shipping activities with business priorities.

Maintains an organized, efficient, and clean warehouse environment.

Education And/Or Experience Performs additional managerial duties as required.

Bachelor’s degree preferred or at least 5-7 years of experience in a warehouse/shipping environment. A combination of education and experience will also be considered.

Interpersonal Skills Strong leadership skills including team facilitation, training, and motivation – someone who leads by example. Hands-on manager who can operate with limited direction. Adept at preparing delivering a presentation in a business setting. Able to communicate complex and detailed information verbally via telephone and in person, and in writing.

Language Skills Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.

Mathematical Skills Ability to calculate figures and amounts to verify accuracy of shipping statistics.

Qualifications Working knowledge of computers, including experience using Microsoft Office Suite, Knowledge of inventory management systems helpful. Experience in material receiving, includes delivery verification of bills of lading to material unloaded, material verification by hand and/or weight count machine to packing slip. Able to handle multiple tasks, organize, and coordinate activities effectively in complex situations. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Reasoning Abilities Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to understand and interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral diagram, or schedule form.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations Forklift certification preferred.