Warehouse Shift Lead- Central Hub in Birmingham

Buffalo Rock is an award‑winning Pepsi and Keurig Dr Pepper bottler founded in Birmingham, AL more than 123 years ago. Buffalo Rock manages the best beverage portfolio in the country, which includes several beloved global and regional brands.

The Warehouse Shift Lead is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the automated case picking system, ensuring continuous flow of product, and dispatching orders to customers in a timely manner. The Shift Lead must coordinate resources to maintain the operation’s efficiency with minimal to no disruption and follow safety and quality standards.

• Regular and timely attendance is an essential function of this position.
• Position is required to work all the hours necessary to ensure operations function is fulfilled, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• May be required to work varying shifts, weekends and/or overtime if needed to meet customer demand.
• Train new and current EPs in each position according to the established standard operational procedures (SOPs) and work instructions.
• Ensure that all the team members are up to date with the assigned training program.
• Enforce the compliance of cleaning, GMPs, and housekeeping standards to maintain cleanliness throughout the Central Hub operational areas.
• Adhere to the standard operating procedures (SOP) and work instructions.
• Lead the Vertique System Operations and load team Employee-Partners.
• Provide guidance, direction, and support during the automated case picking system operations, including but not limited to, picking, replenishing, loading, offline products, manual stacking and recycling activities.
• Assign tasks, set priorities, and monitor performance to ensure efficiency and effectiveness of the operations.
• Oversee and coordinate loading activities during assigned shifts and ensure adherence to loading schedules and efficiency standards.
• Ensure accuracy of loading processes.
• Verify route and trailer number, product load, and documentation.
• Assist in inventory control ensuring the loading and shipment of products are according to customer orders.
• Troubleshoot issues that may arise during the loading process.
• Implement solutions to minimize disruptions.
• Manage strategies during the dock operations and make necessary adjustments during day-to-day activities.
• Monitor the execution of the layer line picks and the progress of the full pallet regarding the bulk pick up line, to maintain a timely dispatch.
• Manage the daily dispatch of outbound loads with Penske Logistics.
• Oversee the trailer availability using YardView and deliver the loads documentation.
• Understand the automated case picking system (Vertique) operations and lead the team to successfully complete daily targets.
• Utilize menu driven software such as VertiView, Vertique Picking Software (VPS) and warehouse management system (VIP), troubleshoot systems issue, and interface with the Vertique support team as required.
• Record any system events that affect the picking process and send out descriptive e-mails to the management team and Maintenance Supervisor identifying issues.
• Respond to sequence check alarms, or any other system stoppage, and ensure that sequencing is accurately maintained as product flows through the pallet conveyor system.
• Ensure the daily record of damage logs is completed by the team.
• Submit the damaged logs to the Inventory Supervisor at the end of each shift.
• Monitor replenishment operations, adjust inventory levels as needed and maintain the product flow to the Towers.
• Oversee and coordinate palletizer and manual stacking activities.
• Operate palletizers, troubleshoot robots, address any issues regarding formation, pallet configuration or defective product.
• Troubleshoot issues that may arise during the pallet formation and manual stack process.
• Implement solutions to minimize disruptions.
• Oversee the pallet chain conveyors and pallets dispensers (PPDs) operation, ensuring continuous flow of product.
• Identify opportunities to optimize warehouse processes, streamline workflows, and enhance efficiency.
• Communicate to the management team any challenge, need or issue that compromises the accomplishment of the daily targets.
• Must be hand‑on with the team completing daily activities including and not limited to picking, replenishing, recycling, loading, offloading, manual stacking, product moves, dunnage, among others.
• Coordinate with Shift Lead partners and collaborate with cross‑functional teams regarding resources and needs to meet the daily goals and address any operational issues, equipment malfunction or unsafe conditions.
• Assist Operations Manager during the daily start up meeting with all team members to communicate relevant information, discuss safety, and motivate the team for the day’s shift.
• Assist in maintaining department KPI and metrics that drive performance of department.
• Improve the run’s efficiency and ensure accuracy during the picking process.
• Assist inventory team in research and analysis of inventory discrepancies and root causes.
• Ensure all forklift operators complete Infolink pre‑trip inspections and leave the forklift properly charging at the end of the shift.
• Enforce proper handling of the product and quality checks ensuring products meet packaging specifications.
• Prepare and submit reports on daily operations with detailed information of the results and any incidents or issues encountered during the shift.
• Promote a culture of safety awareness and adherence to safety guidelines.
• Conduct safety huddles with the team, identify and mitigate potential safety hazards, and enforce safety guidelines to prevent accidents and injuries.
• Make sound decisions and multitask simultaneously without constant supervision.
• Required to follow the Good Manufacturing Program GMPs as listed in Code of Federal Regulations CFR 21 section 110.
• Requires participation in various Food Safety related training that Buffalo Rock utilizes.
• Required to report potential issues related to Food Safety.
• Perform other duties and shifts assigned.

• Must exhibit a prominent level of ethical and moral conduct while at work or in attendance of any off‑site function during work hours or after work hours while representing the Buffalo Rock Company.
• Responsible for continuous self‑improvement through the knowledge and use of all Buffalo Rock provided training.
• Ensure that every reasonable precaution is taken to protect the Company from possible damage, theft, or other liabilities.
• Ensure that every reasonable precaution is taken to protect the safety of employee‑partners, self, customers, Buffalo Rock property, and customer property.
• Honor and follow through on all business commitments.
• Embody Buffalo Rock’s Purpose of “Building brands through legendary service and remarkable people.”
• Live Buffalo Rock’s Core Values: Committed to serving our communities, Customer success drives our success, Integrity matters, Obsessed with continuous improvement, We care for each other, Win the day.

• Accountability – Ability to accept responsibility and account for his/her actions.
• Communication, Oral – Ability to communicate effectively with others using the spoken word.
• Accuracy – Ability to perform work accurately and thoroughly.
• Dependability – Ability to behave consistently and predictably; responsible and dependable in fulfilling all the duties.
• Diversity Oriented – Ability to collaborate effectively with people regardless of their age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or job type.
• Energetic – Ability to work at a sustained pace and produce quality work.
• Motivation – Ability to inspire oneself and others to reach a goal and/or perform to the best of their ability.
• Organized – Possessing the trait of being organized or following a systematic method of performing a task.
• Safety Awareness – Ability to identify and correct conditions that affect employee safety.
• Teamwork – Ability to work with others toward the daily goals, participating actively, sharing responsibility and rewards.
• Working Under Pressure – Ability to complete assigned tasks in stressful situations.

Leads assigned hourly warehouse EPs and fulfilled lead responsibilities in accordance with the company’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; aid supervisor addressing and resolving problems.

Working conditions will require both inside warehouse needs and outside. Temperature conditions will vary from extreme heat to extreme cold.

All tasks within the warehouse are physically demanding and labor‑intensive. This includes moving and stacking pallets weighing up to 65 pounds, standing, walking, bending, reaching, climbing stairs, and working in a fast‑paced and warm environment especially during summer months. Vision, hearing, and the ability to wear personal protective equipment are required.

• High School Diploma or GED: Required.
• Additional education or training in distribution/logistics warehouse environment, or supply chain management: Preferred.
• Must have at least one (1) year of previous experience in a leadership or supervisory role within a distribution/warehouse environment: Preferred.
• Must have at least one (1) year of previous experience working with automated picking systems/process, shipping inbound/outbound process, inventory management, and safety regulations: Preferred.
• Must have at least two (2) years of Vertique Operations experience: Preferred.
• Must have at least one (1) year of forklift experience: Required.
• One (1) year of experience with a warehouse management system application: Preferred.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office products: Required.
• Strong leadership, interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability mentor team members, resolve conflicts, build positive relationships, and collaborate with cross‑functional teams.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and delegate responsibilities.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational with strong problem‑solving abilities and a commitment to quality and accuracy skills to maintain cleanliness standards and documentation accuracy.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, genetic makeup, status as a protected veteran, or any other factor prohibited by applicable law.

The company has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee’s ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and the company reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the company may deem appropriate.