Warehouse - Supervisor
Position Summary
The Warehouse Supervisor is accountable for the safe, efficient, and cost-effective execution of all warehouse operations on their assigned shift. This role owns shift performance across safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people engagement, ensuring operational targets are consistently achieved while fostering a high-performance, continuous improvement culture.
The Supervisor leads, coaches, and develops the warehouse team, ensures disciplined execution of processes and systems, and drives operational excellence aligned with Polytainers’ business objectives.
Key Responsibilities
1. Safety, Compliance & Food Safety
Act as the designated "Competent Person" on shift, ensuring full compliance with Health & Safety, HACCP, cGMP, and 5S standards
Lead incident/accident investigations, ensuring timely reporting, root cause analysis, and corrective actions
Proactively identify hazards and implement preventative measures
Conduct regular safety audits and ensure proper documentation
Ensure proper product handling, storage, and traceability to meet food safety and quality standards
2. Operational Performance & KPIs
Own and deliver shift performance against key metrics including:
Safety (TRIR, near misses)
On-Time In-Full (OTIF) shipping
Inventory accuracy
Picking/shipping accuracy
Labour productivity and cost
Monitor real-time performance and take immediate action to address gaps
Ensure effective shift handovers with clear communication of issues and priorities
Escalate operational risks and issues as required
3. Inventory Control & Systems Execution
Ensure accurate and timely execution of all warehouse transactions in WMS/ERP systems
Lead cycle count activities and resolve inventory discrepancies through root cause analysis
Maintain high levels of inventory accuracy and system integrity
Drive discipline in scanning, tracking, and material flow processes
4. Labour Planning & Workforce Management
Develop and execute daily labour plans aligned with volume and operational priorities
Monitor productivity and optimize workforce utilization across functions
Manage staffing levels, including overtime and temporary labour, to meet business needs
Maintain attendance, vacation, and scheduling in Dayforce
5. People Leadership & Development
Lead, coach, and develop team members to build a high-performing and engaged workforce
Ensure fair and consistent application of company policies and standards
Manage performance through regular feedback, coaching, and formal performance improvement processes
Maintain accurate documentation of performance and disciplinary actions
Identify training needs and maintain an up-to-date training matrix
Develop team capability through cross-training and succession planning
6. Quality & Problem Solving
Ensure timely response to NCRs and quality issues
Lead structured root cause analysis (e.g., 5 Whys) and implement sustainable corrective actions
Prevent recurrence of issues through process improvements and team education
7. Continuous Improvement
Identify and implement opportunities to improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, and space utilization
Lead or participate in Kaizen events and CI initiatives
Track and report measurable improvements and sustain gains
Promote a culture of continuous improvement and accountability
8. Communication & Cross-Functional Collaboration
Lead daily and weekly team communication meetings
Communicate performance results, priorities, and expectations clearly to the team
Collaborate with Planning, Customer Service, Production, and Quality to ensure alignment and service excellence
Support urgent customer requirements and operational escalations
9. Operational Excellence & Housekeeping
Ensure warehouse organization, cleanliness, and visual management standards are maintained
Conduct daily audits to ensure compliance with operational standards
Support layout optimization and efficient material flow
Qualifications & Experience
Education
Post-secondary education in Business, Supply Chain, or related field, or equivalent experience
Experience
Minimum 5 years of warehouse experience in a fast-paced, high-volume manufacturing environment
Minimum 2 years of supervisory experience preferred
Experience in plastics and/or food packaging industry is an asset
Technical Skills
Strong knowledge of warehouse operations, inventory control, and material flow
Experience with WMS/ERP systems (SAP preferred)
Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel required)
Certifications
Forklift and Reach Truck certification preferred
Core Competencies
Strong leadership and people development skills
Results-oriented with a bias for action and accountability
Excellent problem-solving and decision-making capabilities
Effective communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to influence and build trust across teams
High sense of urgency and ownership
Strong organizational and time management skills