Warehouse Supervisor - 2nd Shift (On-Site) chez Upper Lakes Foods

SUMMARY:  The Second Shift Supervisor leads the warehouse team and ensures smooth, safe, and productive operations. This role oversees daily order selection, employee performance, and workflow efficiency while fostering a positive and safe workplace culture.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintains a safe work environment by adhering to safety and compliance procedures and serves as a role model.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, DOT, and company policies; maintain proper records for audits or inspections.
• Leads and supervise second-shift employees, including hiring, training, and performance management. Also supports the oversight of first-shift employees.
• Oversees order selection, scheduling, and workflow to meet productivity goals.
• Direct and oversee the order selection workflow to meet daily productivity, scheduling, and operational goals.
• Leads pre-shift meetings with clear agendas to communicate priorities, goals, and safety updates.
• Facilitates orientation and training of new and existing team members.
• Manages truck mapping through WMS software, supervises physical truck loading (using pallet jacks and manual stacking), order selection, and forklift replenishment.
• Oversees use and maintenance of warehouse equipment (forklifts, pallet jacks, scanners, etc.), including reporting or scheduling repairs.
• Assists with order selection and oversee forklift replenishment as needed to support team workflow.
• Coordinates the placement of assigned trucks and trailers at loading doors to streamline the loading process.
• Manages the occasional receipt and unloading of inbound shipments during the selection shift to maintain operational flow.
• Assists with forecasting labor needs, approving timecards, and coordinating with HR or payroll.
• Collaborate with employees and managers to identify and resolve workflow or staffing challenges.
• Reviews workflows and practices; recommends improvements to the General Manager and implements approved changes.
• Foster positive working relationships within the team, across departments, and with external stakeholders; maintain professional competence and knowledge relevant to the role.
• Establishes and maintains effective work relationships within the department, the Company, and the community; and maintains the professional competence, knowledge, and skill necessary for the satisfactory performance of all assigned responsibilities.
• Complete additional assignments as directed by management.
• Shift/Schedule 12:30pm - 9pm Sunday thru Thursday

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Education

• High School Diploma or Equivalent required.
• AA Degree or Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Transportation/Logistics, or similar preferred.

Experience

• Previous leadership or supervisory experience in warehouse/distribution preferred.
• Minimum of 1 year of supervisory experience with a proven ability to lead teams, delegate responsibilities, and effectively recognize and address employee performance issues.

Skills

• Leadership & Supervision: Ability to lead and motivate teams, conduct conflict resolution and employee coaching.
• Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Effectively communicate with others through spoken and written English language. Apply customer service mindset (internal and external) while staying adaptable in a fast-paced environment.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred but not required.
• Coordination – Adjusting actions in relation to another’s actions.
• Critical Thinking – Using logic and reason to solve work related problems, identifying bottlenecks, prioritizing tasks and delegating effectively.
• Time Management – Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
• Safety – Ability to conduct safety meetings and audits, conduct and report accident investigations, maintaining a clean and hazard-free work environment while adhering to OSHA regulations and workplace safety regulations.

Certification, Licenses, Registrations

• Must be able to obtain Forklift Certification
• Must have or able to obtain driver's license.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working in a warehouse setting, with proficiency in Warehouse Management Systems, data entry and reporting, order fulfillment and accuracy.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Familiarity with lean practices, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION & WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Warehouse environment with racking, forklifts, concrete floors, coolers & freezers. Frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, and extreme cold.  The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.
• Sitting at workstation 5% to 15% of work time. Standing/walking bending, and reaching, and lifting 85% to 95% of work time.  The employee frequently lifts cases averaging 30# but occasionally up to 80#. 
• Use of forklift and other equipment.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ABOUT UPPER LAKES FOODS

Upper Lakes Foods, Inc. is the largest independent, wholesale food distributor in Minnesota.  The company has three facilities located in Cloquet, MN, Northfield, MN and Janesville, WI.  We distribute food throughout the Upper Midwest.  Upper Lakes Foods specializes in serving foodservice operators such as independent restaurants, assisted living facilities, schools, and national and regional foodservice chain accounts with a strong focus on customer service. Simply put, the mission is to build value for each customer, employee, supplier and community we serve by bringing the best; the best products, best people and best ideas.

CORE VALUES

• Strong Work Ethic – We believe in the value of hard work, perseverance and consistency of character.
• Positive Attitude – We believe in encouraging a flexible, agreeable and well-adjusted work existence that promotes successful outcomes.
• Integrity – We believe in honesty, truthfulness and consistency of our actions.
• Team Work – We believe that work done by several individuals combined insures excellence of quality, safety and service.
• Professional Appearance – We believe in maintaining an appearance that promotes good hygiene, neatness and appropriate business dress.
• Respectful Interaction – We believe in creating a workplace where employees are treated fairly in a safe and positive environment.

“We are an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.”