Shipping Manager

Key Deliverables

• Key Responsibilities
• Plan, coordinate, and manage daily shipping operations for finished beverage products.
• Ensure on-time, accurate order fulfillment in accordance with customer, distributor, and retailer requirements.
• Supervise shipping personnel, including loaders, forklift operators, and shipping coordinators; provide training and performance management.
• Schedule and manage outbound transportation, including LTL, FTL, refrigerated, and dedicated carriers.
• Collaborate with production and inventory teams to align shipping schedules with manufacturing output and inventory availability.
• Ensure compliance with food safety standards (e.g., GMPs, HACCP), DOT regulations, and company quality policies.
• Maintain accurate shipping documentation, bills of lading, export paperwork (if applicable), and carrier records.
• Monitor freight costs, negotiate with carriers, and identify opportunities for cost savings and efficiency improvements.
• Oversee proper handling, storage, and loading of beverage products to prevent damage, spoilage, or temperature excursions.
• Manage warehouse space utilization and dock scheduling to optimize throughput.
• Investigate and resolve shipping discrepancies, delays, damages, or customer complaints.
• Track and report key performance indicators (KPIs) such as on-time delivery, order accuracy, freight cost per case, and labor productivity.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives, including process optimization, safety programs, and system enhancements (WMS/ERP).
Enforce workplace safety standards and promote a culture of safety and accountability.

Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations Management, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• 12+ years of shipping/logistics experience in a manufacturing or distribution environment, preferably within the beverage or food industry.
• 5+ years of supervisory or management experience.
• Strong knowledge of transportation logistics, warehouse operations, and inventory flow.
• Familiarity with beverage-specific requirements such as temperature control, shelf life, lot tracking, and distributor compliance.
• Working knowledge of DOT regulations, food safety standards, and OSHA requirements.
• Proficiency with WMS, ERP systems, and Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook).
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-volume environment with changing priorities.

Preferred Experience

• Experience with alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, spirits) and related regulatory requirements.
• Experience managing union or hourly warehouse staff.

Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement training.