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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Fulfillment Team Lead

💰 $45,000 - $65,000

LogisticsSupply ChainWarehouse ManagementLeadershipE-commerce

🎯 Role Definition

The Fulfillment Team Lead is a hands-on leader responsible for the day-to-day supervision of a team of warehouse associates. This individual will direct and coordinate all activities within their designated area, including picking, packing, shipping, and inventory control. The ideal candidate acts as the central point of communication, ensuring that team goals align with broader company objectives for quality, speed, and customer satisfaction. You will be the engine that powers our daily operations, mentoring your team and championing a culture of continuous improvement.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Senior Fulfillment Associate
  • Experienced Warehouse Specialist
  • Inventory Control Coordinator

Advancement To:

  • Fulfillment Supervisor
  • Warehouse Operations Manager
  • Logistics Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Inventory Control Lead
  • Logistics Coordinator
  • Quality Assurance Lead

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Lead, mentor, and develop a team of fulfillment associates, providing daily guidance, training, and constructive feedback to foster a high-performance culture.
  • Oversee and coordinate the daily workflow of picking, packing, and shipping operations to ensure orders are processed accurately, efficiently, and within service-level agreement (SLA) timelines.
  • Monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) such as orders per hour, fill rate, and on-time shipping, implementing corrective actions to address any shortfalls.
  • Champion and enforce all safety and compliance protocols within the warehouse, conducting regular safety checks and ensuring a clean, organized, and secure work environment.
  • Act as the first point of contact for resolving operational issues, order discrepancies, and inventory inaccuracies, troubleshooting problems with a sense of urgency.
  • Train new and existing team members on standard operating procedures (SOPs), equipment usage, and warehouse management system (WMS) functionality.
  • Manage the floor presence to drive productivity and quality, dynamically allocating labor resources to different work areas based on volume and priority.
  • Conduct daily team huddles to communicate goals, share performance updates, and address any immediate concerns or announcements from management.
  • Collaborate closely with other departments, including Inventory Control, Customer Service, and Transportation, to ensure seamless end-to-end order fulfillment.
  • Participate in the performance review process for team members, providing documented observations and feedback to the Fulfillment Supervisor.
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives by identifying and suggesting enhancements to processes, workflows, and facility layout to boost efficiency and reduce costs.
  • Ensure all outbound shipments meet stringent quality control standards and are correctly packaged, labeled, and prepared for carrier pickup.
  • Manage and execute inventory control tasks, including cycle counts, stock consolidation, and assisting with full physical inventories to maintain data integrity.
  • Troubleshoot and resolve exceptions within the Warehouse Management System (WMS) to keep order flow moving smoothly.
  • Maintain and monitor inventory levels of shipping supplies (e.g., boxes, tape, dunnage) and communicate restocking needs to the appropriate personnel.
  • Uphold and communicate company policies and procedures, ensuring they are consistently applied across the team.
  • Handle escalated issues from associates and provide effective solutions to maintain morale and operational continuity.
  • Prepare and verify all necessary shipping documentation to ensure compliance with carrier and legal requirements.
  • Operate material handling equipment (MHE) such as forklifts, pallet jacks, and order pickers as needed, and ensure team members are properly certified.
  • Analyze daily performance data to identify trends, pinpoint bottlenecks, and develop strategies for operational improvement with the management team.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist in the planning and execution of special projects, such as facility reorganization or technology implementations.
  • Generate and analyze ad-hoc operational reports for management regarding productivity, error rates, or inventory levels.
  • Participate in cross-functional meetings to represent the fulfillment team and contribute to broader supply chain strategy discussions.
  • Support the onboarding process by acting as a mentor or "buddy" for new hires during their initial training period.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Warehouse Management Systems (WMS): Proficiency in using WMS software (e.g., NetSuite, Manhattan, ShipStation, Oracle) for order processing and inventory tracking.
  • Inventory Control: Strong knowledge of inventory management principles, including cycle counting, FIFO/LIFO, and discrepancy investigation.
  • Microsoft Office Suite: Competency in MS Excel for data tracking and reporting, as well as Outlook and Word for communication.
  • Shipping & Logistics Software: Experience with major carrier platforms (UPS WorldShip, FedEx Ship Manager, USPS) and logistics systems.
  • Material Handling Equipment (MHE): Certified or able to be certified to operate forklifts, pallet jacks, and other warehouse equipment.
  • Safety Standards: In-depth understanding of OSHA regulations and standard warehouse safety practices.
  • Performance Metrics (KPIs): Ability to track, analyze, and report on key operational metrics to drive performance.

Soft Skills

  • Leadership & Mentorship: Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop a diverse team in a fast-paced setting.
  • Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for interacting with team members, peers, and management.
  • Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills to identify issues and implement effective solutions quickly.
  • Time Management & Prioritization: Exceptional ability to manage multiple priorities and delegate tasks effectively under pressure.
  • Adaptability: Flexibility to adjust to changing volumes, priorities, and operational requirements.
  • Conflict Resolution: Skill in de-escalating conflicts and mediating disputes in a professional and constructive manner.
  • Attention to Detail: A meticulous approach to ensuring accuracy in order fulfillment, inventory counts, and documentation.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate's or Bachelor's Degree.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Supply Chain Management
  • Logistics
  • Business Administration
  • Operations Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3-5 years of experience in a warehouse, distribution, or fulfillment environment, with at least 1-2 years in a leadership, supervisory, or senior associate capacity.

Preferred: Direct experience leading a team in a high-volume, direct-to-consumer (D2C) e-commerce fulfillment center.

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