Shipping Manager
The Shipping Manager is responsible for overseeing day-to-day distribution center operations for a book publishing organization. This role ensures the efficient, accurate, and cost-effective receipt, storage, picking, packing, and shipment of finished books and related products. The Shipping Manager leads frontline supervisors and staff, drives continuous improvement, and ensures service level commitments to customers, retailers, and internal stakeholders are met—especially during peak publishing seasons.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Leadership
Manage daily warehouse and fulfillment operations, including inbound receiving, put-away, inventory control, order fulfillment, shipping, and returns processing
Ensure operational readiness to support new title releases, seasonal surges, and promotional campaigns
Monitor productivity, throughput, and accuracy to meet service level agreements (SLAs)
People Management
Lead, coach, and develop supervisors and hourly staff in a fast-paced distribution environment
Oversee staffing plans, scheduling, training, and performance management
Promote a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement
Process & Continuous Improvement
Identify and implement process improvements to increase efficiency, reduce errors, and control costs
Leverage Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies where applicable
Partner with IT and Supply Chain teams to optimize warehouse management systems (WMS) and reporting tools
Inventory & Quality Control
Ensure accurate inventory management, cycle counts, and reconciliation
Minimize shrink, damages, and mis-shipments
Maintain high standards for order accuracy and product quality
Safety & Compliance
Ensure compliance with all safety regulations, company policies, and labor standards
Lead safety initiatives and training to maintain a safe working environment
Support audits and ensure adherence to internal controls
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Collaborate with Publishing Operations, Sales, Customer Service, and Transportation teams to resolve issues and improve service
Communicate operational performance, risks, and improvement plans to leadership
Qualifications
Required
Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Supply Chain, Logistics, or a related field, or equivalent experience
5+ years of experience in distribution center or warehouse operations, with at least 2 years in a management role
Experience managing high-volume fulfillment operations, preferably in publishing, media, or consumer products
Strong people leadership and team-building skills
Proficiency with warehouse management systems (WMS) and operational reporting
Ability to work flexible hours, including peak seasons, evenings, or weekends as needed
Preferred
Experience in book publishing or returns-heavy distribution environments
Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement frameworks
Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate data into action
Key Competencies
Operational excellence and execution focus
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Problem-solving and decision-making
Change management and adaptability
Results-driven mindset with attention to detail