PM Shift Warehouse Lead — Operations & Leadership in Wakefield

Wakefield Canada is a privately owned, entrepreneurial company focused exclusively on servicing the Canadian Automotive, Commercial Heavy Duty and Industrial markets. With an employee base of over 200 people, Wakefield provides sales, marketing and distribution solutions to over 5000 customers in all segments, including retailers, warehouse distributors, automotive and heavy duty jobbers, franchised and independent installers, quick lubes, fleet companies, new car dealers and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM).

Wakefield was founded in June 2005 out of a strategic partnership with BP Lubricants to assume stewardship of the Castrol brand, and all customer facing operations, exclusively, in Canada. Wakefield's Brand portfolio includes Castrol as its cornerstone brand and business, along with SuperClean, a line of cleaners and degreasers, for which Wakefield is the exclusive trading partner in Canada.

With a large and experienced sales force, in-house team of marketing professionals, and a comprehensive, coast to coast, distribution network, Wakefield provides premium automotive brands, dedicated customer service and technical support, and industry leading marketing programs to help drive growth for both our customers and the brands we represent.

ROLE

Position Title: Lead Hand (PM Shift)
Department: Supply Chain – Distribution & Warehouse
Reporting Manager: Warehouse Supervisor
Submit resume to HR@wakefieldcanada.ca before May 15, 2026

Job Summary: The Working Lead Hand will manage workflow on the team to ensure an efficient and operational Warehouse. They will provide direction and support to all Warehouse personnel to enable them to complete assigned tasks to attain goals and objectives in a manner that is aligned with departmental and organizational objectives and policies.

Key Accountabilities:

• Organize the work force at the start of shift / provide directions to warehouse personnel and communicate to Warehouse Supervisor during the shift.
• Provide direction and support to all Warehouse personnel to enable them to complete assigned tasks in a manner that is aligned with company objectives and policies (HSSE, customer service, Quality/ISO, efficiency, etc.).
• Champion Operational Improvement initiatives and work closely with all stakeholders.
• Partner with various Wakefield teams (Manufacturing, Distribution, Maintenance, etc.) to support improved performance.
• React to issues impacting daily operations quickly and efficiently communicate and implement effective solutions in a timely manner.
• Support rollout of special projects as applicable facilitate implementation, support/train Warehouse personnel, etc. (ex. AX/NEXT)
• Process Warehouse transactions in WMS.
• Train and help the WHS team with WMS when necessary.
• In the absence of Warehouse Supervisor, Working Lead Hand attend production meetings and communicate any relevant information to Warehouse personnel.
• Contribute to local departmental quality improvement programs by working closely with Warehouse Supervisor and Wakefield QC Team for technical support.
• Ensure non-conforming product issues are properly identified, and notification is provided to the Wakefield QC Team.
• Assist with the repack, quarantine, & decanting process to ensure accurate inventory levels and follow up on paperwork requirements.
• Depending on STIHL / BP Push stock orders requirement, co-ordinate with Customer Care and ensure orders will be picked and shipped on time.
• Review and maintain FIFO.
• Follow up on shipment discrepancies.
• Assist in coordinating cycle count and inventory control.
• Co-ordinate all stock transfers and ensure that documentation is processed.
• Develop and implement Good Warehousing Practices (GWP) and cleanliness.
• Co-ordinate repairs with maintenance staff using work order process and issuing work permits.
• Ensure Warehouse SOP guidelines are adhered to.
• As this is a Working Lead Hand position, the incumbent will be required to engage in normal warehouse duties as deemed necessary.

Health & Safety:

• Model desire HSSE behaviors and activities and ensures that team members understand and comply with HSSE objectives and programs.
• Act as technical subject matter expert for operations for HSSE initiatives.
• Work with Engineering/Maintenance and HSSE to direct contractors/vendors while on site (risk assessment/management) - ensuring contractors/vendors are aligned and compliant to HSSE standards and that work is completed in accordance with Wakefield’s safety standards.
• Participate in and champion HSSE initiatives and projects as required.

KEY COMPETENCIES:

• Leadership experience with the ability to mentor, train, coach, and develop others.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills with the ability to clearly communicate complex concepts or information.
• Extremely organized with the ability to manage various tasks and quickly adapt as needed.
• Detail oriented and displays a high degree of accuracy.
• Professional attitude together with a drive to get things done through collaboration and teamwork.
• High aptitude for learning new concepts and staying current in an ever-changing environment.
• Flexible and able to make independent decisions quickly.
• Ability to understand business operations and demonstrate value through partnerships within the organization.
• Ability to anticipate problems and proactively resolve situations before they become larger scale issues.
• Strong orientation to innovate and continuously investigate emerging technologies to potentially leverage within Wakefield operations.
• Strong Risk Management and HSSE skills and work ethics.

Specific Technical Competencies:

• Strong competency and mechanical aptitude around picking products and shipping various different loads.
• Fundamental knowledge of all aspects of Warehousing.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access asset.
• Willingness and capacity to gain the required competency in AX/NEXT.

DIRECT MANAGERIAL / SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

• As per CBA operational/workflow accountability for work team. Unionized position with workflow coordination and training responsibility rather than full.
• Ability to lead by influence and direct workflow.
• Positive leadership examples include excellent team and communication skills, and the ability to collaborate, impact and influence in areas where no direct authority exists.
• Provide direction, coaching, mentoring, training and workflow supervision to warehouse personnel and where necessary to contractors/vendors.
• Work collaboratively with Warehouse Supervisor to coordinate/facilitate appropriate training/skill building of the workforce to support operational needs.
• Collaborative partnering with various groups within Supply Chain.

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE:

• A minimum of 5 years of related work experience.
• Excellent working knowledge of current HSSE procedures such as Lock-Out/Tag-Out, Spill Containment, WHMIS, Work Permits and Incident / Accident Investigations.
• Excellent analytical skills in problem solving opportunities.
• Strong knowledge of warehouse equipment and warehouse processes and understanding of loading / unloading trailers and containers processes.
• The Lead Hand will require strong understanding in the following areas and have the ability to perform effectively in the following:
• Order Picking and Shipping
• Loading stock transfers for all regions
• Loading BP Push Stock / STIHL Orders
• Unloading trailers from Plant and US
• Loading various carriers daily for orders shipping out
• Sorting and reworking damage / leakers product in Repack Area
• Product Segregation / Pallet Control
• Internal handling and storage of dangerous goods
• Cousineau Stretch Wrapper
• Basic First Aid Training
• Forklift License
• Drums to Totes decanting including taking samples to lab when required.
• Highly proficient using Microsoft platforms with the ability to learn new computer competencies as required.

Working Conditions:

• Warehousing environment.
• All required PPE must be worn while performing tasks.
• Hours of work may vary according to operational requirements such as shipping /receiving demands, fluctuating work volumes, vacations, and absences.

Training:

• Training Period consistent with Article 10.06 of the Collective Agreement.

Rate of Pay: Lead Hand Premium (as per collective agreement)

***Note: MANAGEMENT retains the right to regularly review and assess capability to perform tasks. Any refusal to perform the tasks associated with the higher rated role would result in INABILITY TO APPLY FOR SAME POSITION FOR TWO YEAR PERIOD***

TRAINING PERIOD UP TO SIX MONTHS FROM HIRE DATE