Lean Warehouse Operations Manager
Location - South Seattle, WA
Type - Full-Time, Salary Exempt
Industry - Aviation Aftermarket
Experience - 7+ Years Required
Job Description
We are a well-established Aviation Aftermarket company headquartered in South Seattle with over 30 years of industry presence. As we continue to grow, we are seeking an experienced Warehouse Operations Manager to lead our warehouse team, modernize our processes, and build a high-performance culture rooted in continuous improvement.
This is a hands-on leadership role. The right candidate leads from the floor — someone who is equally comfortable building a KPI dashboard and jumping in alongside the team when volume demands it. You are a strategic operator who has built and scaled warehouse functions, implemented Lean/WMS systems, and can demonstrate measurable outcomes (cost reduction, fill rate, throughput). You will report directly to senior leadership and will have real authority to transform how our warehouse runs.
Primary Responsibilities – Included but not limited to:
- Drive operational excellence across receiving, storage, picking, packing, shipping, and returns — with measurable KPIs tied to cost, accuracy, and on-time delivery
- Be a visible, working presence on the floor — actively participating in daily operations, modeling best practices, and filling in where needed to keep the team moving
- Own the Lean transformation: design and implement 5S, Kaizen events, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) that stick
- Manage WMS configuration, utilization, and data integrity; champion adoption of technology to increase throughput and visibility
- Oversee inventory accuracy programs including cycle counting, root cause analysis on discrepancies, and space utilization planning
- Partner cross-functionally with Supply Chain, Quality, Procurement, and Customer Service to align warehouse operations with business goals
- Manage warehouse operating budget; identify and execute cost-saving initiatives without sacrificing service or safety
- Ensure full compliance with OSHA, company safety standards, and aviation regulatory requirements as applicable
- Build and present operational performance reports to senior leadership; turn data into decisions
Required Experience & Skills
- 7+ years of progressive warehouse or distribution center management experience, with at least 3 years managing managers/supervisors
- Demonstrated track record of improving warehouse KPIs — cite specific examples (e.g., reduced pick error rate by X%, improved on-time shipping from X% to Y%)
- Hands-on expertise with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS); experience with system implementations or upgrades is a strong plus
- Deep working knowledge of Lean principles and tools (5S, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, Standard Work)
- Strong people leader — experience building teams, managing performance, and developing talent in a warehouse environment
- Data-driven decision maker: comfortable building dashboards, analyzing operational metrics, and presenting findings to leadership
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to influence across functions and levels
- Experience managing or coordinating inbound/outbound freight and carrier relationships
Preferred Experience & Skills
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience)
- Experience in aviation, aerospace, or regulated parts/components environment
- Experience with high-SKU-count distribution, kitting operations, or serialized inventory tracking
- Familiarity with FAA traceability and documentation requirements
Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $85,000 – $110,000 DOE
Benefits: Competitive health, dental, vision and insurance options package
Retirement: 401(k) with 100% company match up to 4% vested immediately
Perks: On-site gym, complimentary beverages and snacks
Schedule: Full-time, on-site at our South Seattle facility
Physical Requirements
This role requires regular presence on the warehouse floor. The physical demands below are representative of those necessary to perform essential job functions:
- Ability to stand, walk, and move throughout the facility for extended periods
- Occasional lifting of items up to 25 lbs.
- Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, and reach overhead as needed
- Visual acuity required to review documents, screens, and warehouse environments
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $85,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- What is the largest team you have directly managed?
- What KPI's were you personally accountable for?
- How did performance change under your leadership?
Work Location: In person
