Warehouse Manager

Warehouse Manager Job Description (Raw Materials & Packaging Materials - Cosmetics)

This Job Description (JD) outlines the role of a
Warehouse Manager
with a specific focus on handling
Raw Materials (RM)
and
Packaging Materials (PM)
within a
Cosmetics Manufacturing
environment. This role is critical for ensuring material integrity, adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and seamless supply to the production floor.

Position Overview

The Warehouse Manager will strategically plan, organize, and oversee all warehouse operations, specifically managing the receiving, storage, inventory control, and dispatch of
Raw Materials
(chemicals, active ingredients, bulk products) and
Packaging Materials
(bottles, tubes, labels, cartons) to support the cosmetics manufacturing process. The primary focus is on
inventory accuracy
,
compliance with GMP/safety standards
, and
optimizing material flow
to meet production schedules.

Key ResponsibilitiesI. Inventory & Stock Control

• Inventory Accuracy:
  Implement and manage robust
  cycle counting
  programs and periodic
  physical inventories
  to ensure a high level of
  stock accuracy
  for all RM and PM. Reconcile inventory discrepancies promptly.
• Material Flow:
  Control material movement from receiving to final staging for production, ensuring materials are issued based on
  FIFO (First-In, First-Out)
  or
  FEFO (First-Expired, First-Out)
  principles, especially for sensitive or date-controlled RM.
• WMS/ERP Management:
  Maintain accurate and real-time records in the Warehouse Management System (WMS) and/or Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system (e.g., SAP, Oracle).
• Stock Optimization:
  Monitor stock levels to prevent
  stock-outs
  that halt production and
  overstocking
  that leads to obsolescence (dead stock) and increased carrying costs.

II. Storage, Safety, and Compliance (GMP Focused)

• Specialized Storage:
  Ensure all materials, particularly temperature-sensitive
  Raw Materials
  and highly regulated items, are stored under the correct environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, humidity) as per
  GMP
  guidelines and supplier specifications.
• Regulatory Adherence:
  Develop, implement, and enforce warehouse operational procedures that comply with
  Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
  , ISO standards, and all local/federal health, safety, and material handling regulations (e.g., OSHA).
• Hazardous Material Handling:
  Oversee the safe and compliant receipt, storage, and disposal/usage of hazardous or flammable raw materials.
• Warehouse Organization & Layout:
  Strategically manage warehouse layout and space utilization to maximize storage capacity and optimize material flow efficiency (
  5S
  and
  Lean
  practices).

III. Receiving, Inspection, and Dispatch

• Inbound Logistics:
  Manage the efficient receiving and put-away process for all inbound RM and PM shipments.
• Quality Coordination:
  Coordinate closely with the
  Quality Assurance (QA)
  and
  Quality Control (QC)
  departments to stage materials requiring sampling/inspection, ensuring only
  QC-approved
  materials are moved to "available" stock for production use.
• Internal Distribution:
  Lead the timely and accurate staging and dispatch of RM and PM to the production lines based on the manufacturing schedule.

IV. Leadership and Cross-Functional Coordination

• Team Management:
  Recruit, train, motivate, and manage the warehouse team (supervisors, material handlers, inventory clerks) to achieve productivity, safety, and accuracy targets.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration:
  Act as the key liaison with
  Procurement
  (for material arrival planning),
  Planning
  (for production scheduling and material availability),
  Production
  (for material issuance), and
  Quality Assurance
  (for material release status).
• Budgeting & Reporting:
  Prepare, manage, and adhere to the warehouse operational budget. Generate regular performance reports on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) such as inventory accuracy, 'Dock-to-Stock' time, material issuance accuracy, and inventory turnover.

Required Qualifications & SkillsEducation and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).
• Minimum of
  5+ years
  of progressive experience in warehouse management, preferably in
  cosmetics, FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods), pharmaceutical, or chemical manufacturing
  environments.
• 3+ years
  of demonstrated experience managing
  Raw Materials (RM)
  and
  Packaging Materials (PM)
  inventory.
• Proven experience working under
  Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
  and managing a regulated warehouse environment.

Technical (Hard) Skills

• Inventory Management Systems:
  High proficiency with ERP/WMS platforms (e.g., SAP, Oracle, MS Dynamics, specialized WMS).
• Regulatory Knowledge:
  Deep understanding of
  GMP
  requirements for material handling and storage, including requirements for documentation, batch traceability, and quarantine procedures.
• Material Handling Equipment:
  Certified ability (or supervisory knowledge) to safely operate and maintain material handling equipment (e.g., forklifts, pallet jacks).
• Process Improvement:
  Familiarity with lean warehousing principles, 5S methodology, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Leadership (Soft) Skills

• Leadership & Delegation:
  Strong ability to lead, mentor, and effectively delegate tasks to a diverse team.
• Analytical & Problem-Solving:
  Excellent skills in analyzing inventory data, identifying root causes for discrepancies, and making data-driven decisions.
• Communication:
  Exceptional written and verbal communication skills for liaising with cross-functional teams, suppliers, and senior management.
• Detail Orientation:
  Meticulous attention to detail is crucial for maintaining accurate inventory records and ensuring compliance in a highly regulated industry.