About hand2mind:
We bring learning to life! Trusted by teachers for more than 55+ years, hand2mind creates engaging, classroom-tested materials that empower children to learn by doing. We are a 150-person strong, family-owned company that's been voted one of the Chicago Tribune's Top Workplaces for the last five consecutive years. In addition to building high-quality, hands-on learning materials for the classroom like VersaTiles® and Cuisenaire® Rods, we also develop educational toys for the home that make learning math, reading, social-emotional learning, and STEM fun and interactive. As a company, we are committed to our employees’ personal and professional development. That’s why we offer a competitive benefits package, a supportive culture, and training and development opportunities by Harvard and UCLA professors. We are looking for professionals who are truly just kids at heart! We hope you’ll come join our award-winning team today!
Position Description:
The Inbound Operations Supervisor oversees the day-to-day operations of inbound logistics and warehouse activities. This role ensures timely receipt, accurate processing, and efficient storage of goods while maintaining high standards of safety, quality, and team performance. The supervisor coordinates with cross-functional teams to meet company objectives and customer expectations. This role requires a combination of leadership, operational knowledge, and hands-on management to ensure that goods flow smoothly from receipt to warehouse in meeting our customers’ expectations externally and internally.
What you’ll do day to day (responsibilities):
- Team Leadership & Management
- Supervise and motivate a team of warehouse associates, including assigning tasks, monitoring performance, and providing coaching and feedback.
- Lead daily team meetings to communicate goals, safety protocols, and operational updates.
- Develop and maintain staffing schedules to ensure coverage during peak and non-peak times.
- Inbound Operations
- Oversee the receiving, unloading, inspection, and verification of incoming shipments.
- Ensure inventory accuracy through proper documentation and reconciliation of shipment discrepancies.
- Coordinate with procurement, suppliers, and transportation teams to resolve delivery issues or delays.
- Process Optimization
- Monitor operational KPIs (key performance indicators) such as receiving time, accuracy, and cost efficiency.
- Identify opportunities for process improvement and implement solutions to enhance productivity.
- Use warehouse management systems (WMS) and other tools to optimize workflows.
- Safety & Compliance
- Enforce compliance with safety standards, OSHA regulations, and company policies.
- Conduct routine safety inspections and audits, addressing any issues promptly.
- Train team members on proper equipment use, material handling, and emergency procedures.
- Collaboration & Communication
- Work closely with other departments, such as outbound operations, inventory control, and customer service, to ensure smooth supply chain operations.
- Maintain clear communication with upper management, providing regular updates on inbound activities and performance.
What we’re looking for (Key Performance Objectives):
- Dock-to-Stock Time: measures the time taken to move items from receiving to inventory storage.
- Lead the team in achieving a Dock-to-Stock rate of 24 hours or less
- Receiving Accuracy – percentage of items received correctly versus discrepancies
- Lead our receiving team in maintaining a target of 99% or higher by conducting weekly audits
- Putaway Time: Average time taken to store items in their designated locations after receipt
- Lead the receiving team in decreasing put-away time by 10% for the year by implementing quality gates at every element of our putaway process partnering with the engineering department on continuous improvement projects.
- On-Time Receipt: percentage of shipments received on or before the scheduled time
- Lead our receiving team in maintaining a target of 24 hours or less by conducting weekly audits
- Safety Compliance: Adherence to safety standards without incidents.
- Lead our team in maintaining zero incidents in the receiving areas over the next 12 months by ensuring full compliance with safety standards. This includes being involved with monthly safety audits, mandatory training sessions and being an active leader for our monthly safety meetings.
Requirements and Preferences:
- High school diploma or equivalent required; bachelor’s degree in logistics, supply chain management, or a related field preferred.
- 3+ years of experience in warehouse or logistics operations, with at least 1 year in supervisory role.
- Familiarity with warehouse management systems (WMS) and inventory software
- Proven track record of managing teams and improving processes.
- Certifications like OSHA, Lean Six Sigma, or related training (a plus).
- Physical Abilities:
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
- Comfortable working in a warehouse environment with long periods of standing, bending, and stooping.
** The role may require you to be flexible to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed based on business demands.
We are a drug-free workplace and an EEO employer.
Please note: This role will be filled by our internal recruitment team, so no assistance is needed from any outside staffing agency at this time.
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