Warehouse - Supervisor

Position Summary

The Warehouse Supervisor is accountable for the safe, efficient, and cost-effective execution of all warehouse operations on their assigned shift. This role owns shift performance across safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people engagement, ensuring operational targets are consistently achieved while fostering a high-performance, continuous improvement culture.

The Supervisor leads, coaches, and develops the warehouse team, ensures disciplined execution of processes and systems, and drives operational excellence aligned with Polytainers’ business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

1. Safety, Compliance & Food Safety

• Act as the designated "Competent Person" on shift, ensuring full compliance with Health & Safety, HACCP, cGMP, and 5S standards
• Lead incident/accident investigations, ensuring timely reporting, root cause analysis, and corrective actions
• Proactively identify hazards and implement preventative measures
• Conduct regular safety audits and ensure proper documentation
• Ensure proper product handling, storage, and traceability to meet food safety and quality standards

2. Operational Performance & KPIs

• Own and deliver shift performance against key metrics including:
• Safety (TRIR, near misses)
• On-Time In-Full (OTIF) shipping
• Inventory accuracy
• Picking/shipping accuracy
• Labour productivity and cost
• Monitor real-time performance and take immediate action to address gaps
• Ensure effective shift handovers with clear communication of issues and priorities
• Escalate operational risks and issues as required

3. Inventory Control & Systems Execution

• Ensure accurate and timely execution of all warehouse transactions in WMS/ERP systems
• Lead cycle count activities and resolve inventory discrepancies through root cause analysis
• Maintain high levels of inventory accuracy and system integrity
• Drive discipline in scanning, tracking, and material flow processes

4. Labour Planning & Workforce Management

• Develop and execute daily labour plans aligned with volume and operational priorities
• Monitor productivity and optimize workforce utilization across functions
• Manage staffing levels, including overtime and temporary labour, to meet business needs
• Maintain attendance, vacation, and scheduling in Dayforce

5. People Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach, and develop team members to build a high-performing and engaged workforce
• Ensure fair and consistent application of company policies and standards
• Manage performance through regular feedback, coaching, and formal performance improvement processes
• Maintain accurate documentation of performance and disciplinary actions
• Identify training needs and maintain an up-to-date training matrix
• Develop team capability through cross-training and succession planning

6. Quality & Problem Solving

• Ensure timely response to NCRs and quality issues
• Lead structured root cause analysis (e.g., 5 Whys) and implement sustainable corrective actions
• Prevent recurrence of issues through process improvements and team education

7. Continuous Improvement

• Identify and implement opportunities to improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, and space utilization
• Lead or participate in Kaizen events and CI initiatives
• Track and report measurable improvements and sustain gains
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and accountability

8. Communication & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Lead daily and weekly team communication meetings
• Communicate performance results, priorities, and expectations clearly to the team
• Collaborate with Planning, Customer Service, Production, and Quality to ensure alignment and service excellence
• Support urgent customer requirements and operational escalations

9. Operational Excellence & Housekeeping

• Ensure warehouse organization, cleanliness, and visual management standards are maintained
• Conduct daily audits to ensure compliance with operational standards
• Support layout optimization and efficient material flow

Qualifications & Experience

Education

• Post-secondary education in Business, Supply Chain, or related field, or equivalent experience

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of warehouse experience in a fast-paced, high-volume manufacturing environment
• Minimum 2 years of supervisory experience preferred
• Experience in plastics and/or food packaging industry is an asset

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of warehouse operations, inventory control, and material flow
• Experience with WMS/ERP systems (SAP preferred)
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel required)

Certifications

• Forklift and Reach Truck certification preferred

Core Competencies

• Strong leadership and people development skills
• Results-oriented with a bias for action and accountability
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making capabilities
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to influence and build trust across teams
• High sense of urgency and ownership
• Strong organizational and time management skills