Warehouse Materials Manager

Description

ABOUT GOLDEN STATE FOODS
Golden State Foods is a trusted industry leader delivering exceptional food products and services to customers around the globe. Rooted in our core values of quality, service, integrity, and innovation, we foster a people-first culture that empowers our teams and supports growth at every level.

ABOUT THE JOB
The Warehouse Materials Manager is a process-focused, execution-driven role responsible for the integrity and efficiency of all material-related warehouse functions within the facility. This position oversees critical activities related to material receiving, scanning compliance, kitting, thaw, and inventory rotation using FIFO/FEFO principles.

WHAT YOU'LL GET
1. Material Movement & Flow Optimization (30%)

• Cost Focused mindset to manage and continuously improve raw material and packaging flow from receiving to production, including internal transfers, returns, and real-time staging.
• Optimize warehouse layout and material movement routes for efficiency, safety, and scanning accuracy.
• Ensure materials are prepped and staged in accordance with production demands and shift schedules.

2. Material Receiving & Warehouse Compliance (20%)

• Lead the design and enforcement of receiving standards, including barcode scanning, lot capture, pallet validation, and immediate system entry.
• Maintain strict compliance with GMP, BRC, HACCP, OSHA, and other internal food safety and audit requirements.
• Drive scanning system accuracy and implement controls to reduce data or label errors at receiving.

3. Process Improvement & Systems Optimization (20%)

• Analyze material movement KPIs, cost-savings initiatives, inventory turns, cycle times, and staging delays to identify improvement opportunities.
• Lead and execute cross-functional initiatives focused on layout redesign, system enhancements, SOP updates, and visual management tools.
• Champion 5S and Lean methods to standardize warehouse practices and reduce variability.

4. Kitting and Thaw Process Management (15%)

• Own the accuracy and efficiency of the kitting process, ensuring materials are picked, verified, and staged correctly based on BOM and production schedule.
• Oversee the thawing program, ensuring compliance with time/temperature controls, rotation protocols, and readiness for compounding.
• Identify and remove bottlenecks or errors in kitting/thaw workflows to increase material readiness and reduce downtime.

5. Inventory Control, FIFO/FEFO, and Aging Compliance (15%)

• Enforce strict adherence to FIFO (First In, First Out) and FEFO (First Expired, First Out) policies across all warehouse processes.
• Utilize WMS data, cycle counts, and lot tracking to reduce inventory loss, prevent expired usage, and improve traceability.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for inventory discrepancies or aging issues.

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITY

• Direct management of 15-20 hourly employees through team leads and supervisor(s).
• Lead performance management, staffing decisions, and workforce development.
• Drive employee engagement, inclusion, and culture in alignment with GSFs values.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED
Education and/or Experience

• Bachelors degree in Supply Chain, Business Administration, Operations, or related field
• 7+ years in warehouse operations with 35 years in a supervisory or leadership role.
• Experience in food manufacturing, multi-temperature environments, or high-volume operations preferred.
• Strong background in process optimization, inventory control, and WMS utilization

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong knowledge of material flow, inventory rotation, and receiving procedures
• Expert-level understanding of FIFO/FEFO principles and warehouse compliance frameworks
• Proficient with WMS/ERP systems (e.g., SAP, D365, AS400, Oracle) and barcode scanning technologies
• Experience applying Lean tools, root cause analysis, and corrective/preventive action (CAPA) processes
• Strong analytical, documentation, and cross-functional coordination skills
• Working familiarity with GMP, HACCP, and food safety compliance standards
• Demonstrated capability of people management and coaching
• Proven success managing warehouse-to-production material flow
• Ability to drive performance and accountability on the floor
• Working knowledge of regulatory compliance (OSHA, HACCP, GMP)

WHAT YOULL GET

• People First: At Golden State Foods, we're not just a company; we're a dynamic community where your talents are celebrated, and your ambitions are nurtured.
• Values Driven: Our core values drive everything we do, creating a culture of innovation, integrity, and excellence. But we're not content with just being great; we strive for greatness in every aspect of our work.
• People Development: At GSF we strive to continually develop our people to prepare us all for the needs of tomorrow.
• Philanthropy & Sustainability: We're committed to making a difference beyond our walls through philanthropy and sustainability efforts across all our locations around the globe.
• Extensive Benefits: Golden State Foods believes in a holistic approach to wellness focusing on the whole person with benefits that support those needs.