Warehouse Associate - Early AM

Why This Role Matters

A warehouse runs on the people who hold it together. The Warehouse Lead is not a title - it is the role that sets the tempo for everything that moves through the building. You are the first person in the building to know when something is off, and the one who decides what to do about it before it becomes a problem.

When warehouse operations run clean - receiving is accurate, inventory is where it says it is, the floor is organized, and the team knows what to do - the whole branch executes better. Customers get what they ordered. Drivers leave on time. Sales has confidence. When the warehouse struggles, every other function feels it.

This role sits at the center of that execution. You are the person the team looks to, the first line of quality control, and the bridge between daily operations and branch leadership.

Work Shift and Hours

• Monday - Friday, 2:00am - 11:00am

Compensation Details

• The expected pay rate for this position is starting between $20.00 - $22.00 per hour depending on experience.

Key Outcomes

Organized by what matters, not just what you do.

Receiving & Inbound Accuracy

• Receive inbound freight accurately - every line, every count, every time
• Identify and document shortages, overages, and damaged goods before they enter inventory
• Ensure product is staged, labeled, and put away correctly to support fill rate and order accuracy
• Coordinate inbound activity with purchasing and sales when exceptions arise

Inventory Integrity

• Conduct daily cycle counts and contribute to periodic physical inventory efforts
• Investigate and resolve inventory discrepancies promptly - treat them as signals, not nuisances
• Maintain bin locations, shelf labels, and stock organization so product is always findable
• Flag recurring discrepancy patterns to leadership for root cause review

Outbound Fulfillment & Shipping

• Pull, stage, and verify outbound orders before they leave the building
• Confirm that shipping documentation is complete and accurate on every outbound shipment
• Coordinate with dispatch and counter teams when orders are time-sensitive or priority-flagged
• Ensure will-call orders are ready before the customer arrives

Team Leadership & Daily Execution

• Set the tone - pace, accuracy standards, and safety expectations - for the warehouse crew each shift
• Delegate daily tasks clearly and follow up to confirm completion
• Support onboarding and on-the-floor training for new warehouse team members
• Escalate performance or conduct concerns to the Warehouse Manager promptly and directly

Equipment & Facility

• Operate forklifts, pallet jacks, and warehouse equipment safely and in compliance with Shepherd standards
• Conduct pre-shift equipment inspections and report maintenance needs before they become failures
• Maintain a clean, organized warehouse floor - aisles clear, hazards addressed, product protected
• Support safety compliance at the team level - you are the first layer of accountability

Continuous Improvement

• Surface inefficiencies, recurring errors, or workflow friction to the Warehouse Manager
• Recommend and test process changes that improve accuracy, speed, or team capacity
• Cross-train on adjacent functions - shipping office, routing coordination - to increase team flexibility

What Success Looks Like

After 90 days, you and your supervisor should both be able to point to these markers:

• Inbound freight is received accurately, and exceptions are documented and resolved before end of day
• Inventory is organized, bin locations are current, and discrepancies are investigated - not ignored
• Outbound orders leave clean - right product, right quantity, right documentation
• The warehouse crew knows what is expected of them and executes without being managed by the hour
• Equipment is inspected, maintained, and operated safely every shift
• The Warehouse Manager trusts that floor operations run correctly when they are not watching
• You have surfaced at least one meaningful process improvement in your first 90 days

Who Thrives Here

This role is a strong fit if

• You take ownership naturally - you do not wait to be told, and you do not leave problems for the next shift
• You hold yourself and your team to a standard without making it adversarial
• You pay attention to the details that others rush past, especially when the pace is high
• You communicate directly - with your crew, with leadership, with other departments
• You stay steady when the morning gets complicated and the plan needs to change
• You care about the work being right, not just done

Qualifications & Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Forklift certification required or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire
• Proficiency with warehouse management systems and standard computer tools (Excel, email)
• Ability to lift up to 60 lbs. regularly and stand for extended periods
• Valid driver's license required
• Ability to successfully complete pre-employment screening requirements