Assistant Warehouse Manager

Assistant Warehouse Manager

Wholesale Distributor of Building Materials

Reports To: Warehouse Manager Location: Pennsauken, NJ

About Fessenden Hall

Since 1890, Fessenden Hall has been a trusted name in building materials distribution. With over 130 years of stability and growth, we're proud to offer careers-not just jobs. Many of our employees make Fessenden Hall their final career stop, building long-term success with our family-owned company.

When you join our team, you'll experience:

• Supportive culture where managers and coworkers genuinely care about your success
• Excellent, low-cost health benefits that protect you and your family
• Long-term stability with a company that's stood the test of time

A Shipping Manager at Fessenden Hall is a hands-on leadership position responsible for directing daily warehouse operations, including shipping, receiving, and inventory management, with a strong focus on safety and customer service. The role requires managing a team of associates and drivers in a fast-paced environment that handles heavy, industrial woodworking and building materials.

Key Responsibilities

• Operational Management: Direct daily shipping operations, including order picking, packing, staging, loading, and unloading of trucks, ensuring 100% on-time shipping for orders received by 3:00 PM with a "zero defects" accuracy standard.
• Logistics & Carrier Coordination: Schedule inbound and outbound freight, manage proper routing of company trucks, negotiate rates with carriers, and manage relationships with freight forwarders to ensure timely delivery.
• Wood Product Handling: Ensure specialized care for wood products to prevent damage, including proper stacking, securing loads for transport, and protecting against moisture.
• Document Control: Prepare and verify all shipping documentation, including bills of lading, packing slips, inventory transfer logs, and customs documents for international shipments.
• Inventory Control: Supervise cycle counts and reconcile inventory discrepancies in the Warehouse Management System (WMS) to maintain 98% or higher inventory accuracy.
• Team Leadership: Hire, train, and supervise warehouse associates, shipping clerks, and forklift operators, acting as a mentor and promoting a productive "safety-first" culture.
• Safety Compliance: Enforce OSHA, DOT, and HAZMAT regulations, maintaining a clean, organized, and safe working environment, including proper management of scrap wood, pallets, and debris.
• Cost Control: Monitor and reduce shipping costs through load optimization and effective carrier management.
• Hands-On Participation: Actively participate in warehouse work, including operating a sit-down propane forklift to pick and store heavy materials (40 to over 100 lbs).
• Communication: Serve as the primary contact between warehouse staff and management, and coordinate with Sales Managers on customer service issues.

Required Qualifications

• Experience: 3-5 years of warehouse, shipping, or logistics experience, with at least one year in a leadership or supervisory role, preferably in the timber, construction, or building materials industry.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems (e.g., DMSI, SAP, AS400), and Microsoft Office/Excel.
• Logistics Knowledge: Understanding of LTL (Less-Than-Truckload) and full truckload operations, DOT regulations, and freight hauling.
• Leadership: Strong supervisory and communication skills with the ability to lead a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Physical Requirements: Ability to lift and handle heavy materials (40 to over 100 lbs), stand and walk for extended periods, and work in varying temperatures.
• Education: High school diploma or GED required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Forklift Certification: Valid license and experience operating a sit-down propane forklift or similar heavy machinery.
• Industry Knowledge: Familiarity with types of wood, grade marks, and forestry or building materials supply chain logistics.
• Education: Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or Business Administration, though equivalent experience is accepted.