Outbound Lead

Position Summary

The Outbound Lead is responsible for supporting the daily operations of the outbound warehouse function, including order picking, packing, staging, shipping, and loading activities. This position provides day-to-day directions to warehouse associates while maintaining a safe, organized, accurate, and productive work environment.

The Outbound Lead serves as a working leader who assists with assigning work, monitoring performance, resolving routine operational issues, and ensuring customer orders are processed accurately and on time. This position is intended to provide employees with an opportunity to develop the skills necessary for advancement into an operations supervisor role.

Essential Responsibilities

Outbound Operations

• Coordinate daily outbound activities including picking, packing, staging, loading, and shipping.
• Assign daily work to warehouse associates based on workload, priorities, and staffing.
• Monitor order progress to ensure shipments are completed accurately and on schedule.
• Verify orders, quantities, labels, packaging, and shipping documentation.
• Identify and address order discrepancies before shipments leave the facility.
• Assist with prioritizing urgent, customer-specific, or time-sensitive orders.
• Coordinate with Inventory Control, Inbound, and Management as needed.
• Monitor carrier pickups and assist with resolving shipping-related issues.

Team Leadership

• Provide daily direction and support to outbound warehouse associates.
• Lead by example in productivity, attendance, safety, housekeeping, and work quality.
• Train employees on outbound processes, equipment, procedures, and company expectations.
• Monitor employee performance and communicate concerns to management.
• Provide coaching and immediate feedback when processes or expectations are not being followed.
• Assist management with onboarding and training new employees.
• Help maintain appropriate staffing and workflow throughout the shift.
• Promote teamwork, accountability, and professional conduct.

Safety & Housekeeping

• Follow and enforce company safety policies and warehouse procedures.
• Conduct routine checks of work areas for safety and housekeeping concerns.
• Ensure aisles, staging areas, docks, and workstations remain clean and organized.
• Report damaged equipment, unsafe conditions, injuries, and other safety concerns promptly.
• Ensure employees properly use required personal protective equipment and material-handling equipment.
• Support company safety and compliance initiatives.

Inventory & Quality Control

• Assist in maintaining inventory accuracy during outbound operations.
• Report picking discrepancies, damaged product, shortages, overages, and other inventory issues.
• Ensure product is handled, packaged, and staged according to established procedures.
• Assist with cycle counts and inventory investigations when requested.
• Help prevent shipping errors through proper verification and quality-control procedures.

Leadership Expectations

The Outbound Lead is expected to:

• Set a positive example for warehouse employees.
• Communicate clearly and professionally.
• Make sound decisions within established guidelines.
• Hold team members accountable to established procedures.
• Escalate issues appropriately when they exceed the Lead's authority.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding employee and company information.
• Demonstrate initiative and a willingness to learn all aspects of the warehouse operation.
• Develop the leadership skills necessary for future advancement.

Qualifications

Required

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Previous warehouse, distribution, shipping, or logistics experience.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced warehouse environment.
• Ability to communicate clearly with employees, supervisors, and management.
• Basic computer skills.
• Ability to read and understand work instructions, shipping documentation, and company procedures.
• Ability to safely lift and move materials as required by the position.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to frequently bend, reach, stoop, and climb as required.
• Ability to lift and move materials consistent with company-established requirements.
• Ability to safely operate or work around warehouse equipment.
• Ability to work in varying warehouse temperatures and conditions.