The posting
Shipping Supervisor
Department: Warehouse
FLSA Status: Exempt
Job Status: Full Time
Reports To: Warehouse Manager
Positions Supervised: Dispatcher, Shipping Specialists, CDL Drivers, Warehouse Drivers
Summary/Objective:
The Shipping Supervisor leads the shipping department, dispatch, and driver team to ensure customer orders are picked, staged, loaded, and delivered accurately, safely, on time, and at the lowest practical cost. This role is the primary point of accountability for all outbound shipments, will-calls, LTL freight, and company truck deliveries, and ensures all transportation activity complies with DOT/FMCSA regulations and company safety policies.
Duties/Responsibilities:
Leadership & Supervision
- Directly supervise the Dispatcher, Shipping Specialists, and Drivers; assign daily work, set priorities, and balance workload across the team.
- Build and manage work schedules, approve time off, and review and approve timecards.
- Train, coach, and hold team members accountable to SOPs, safety rules, and performance standards.
- Conduct performance evaluations and recommend hiring, corrective action, and termination decisions in partnership with Human Resources.
- Lead daily shift huddles and safety talks with shipping and driver teams.
Shipping Operations
- Oversee picking, staging, packaging, labeling, and loading of outbound orders and customer will-calls; spot-check orders for accuracy before release.
- Ensure all shipping documentation (pick lists, packing lists, bills of lading, labels, and delivery tickets) is complete, accurate, and properly filed.
- Manage LTL carrier relationships, including rate quotes, pickup scheduling, freight cost verification, and freight claims.
- Coordinate with Project Management, Sales, Purchasing, and the Steel, Ductile, and Paint shops on ready dates, ship schedules, and customer priorities.
- Resolve shipping exceptions including damaged, short, rejected, or mis-shipped material, RMAs, and customer delivery complaints.
- Support inventory accuracy through cycle counts, scanner compliance, and proper system transactions.
Dispatch & Fleet
- Oversee daily dispatch, reviewing route plans and load assignments to maximize truck capacity, minimize cost, and meet delivery commitments.
- Ensure driver compliance with DOT/FMCSA requirements, Hours of Service (HOS), pre-trip and post-trip inspections, and company driving policies.
- Maintain or support driver qualification files, licensing and medical card tracking, and drug and alcohol testing program requirements in coordination with HR.
- Review MyGeotab/GPS safety reports and trends; coach drivers on unsafe behaviors and escalate repeated violations.
- Investigate and document vehicle accidents, incidents, and near misses, and implement corrective actions.
- Coordinate fleet maintenance, repairs, inspections, and registrations, and track vehicle and equipment issues to resolution.
- Make final calls on route changes and schedule conflicts, with safety and regulatory compliance always taking priority over delivery schedules.
Safety & Continuous Improvement
- Enforce PPE, forklift certification, load securement, and safe material-handling standards.
- Develop and maintain shipping and dispatch SOPs.
- Track department KPIs and report results and issues to the Warehouse Manager on a regular basis.
- Identify and implement improvements to reduce freight costs, delivery delays, damage, and errors.
- Perform other duties reasonably assigned based on operational needs.
Key Performance Indicators:
- On-time shipment and delivery rate
- Order and shipping accuracy
- Preventable accidents/incidents and DOT violations
- Freight cost per shipment and truck utilization
- Damage, claim, and exception rate
- Documentation and vehicle inspection compliance
- Team attendance, safety, and turnover
Required Skills/Abilities:
- Proven ability to lead, motivate, and hold a team accountable in a fast-paced warehouse and transportation environment.
- Working knowledge of DOT/FMCSA regulations, Hours of Service, load securement, and basic hazardous materials requirements.
- Experience with LTL freight, carrier websites, freight quoting, and bills of lading.
- Experience with fleet telematics/GPS systems; MyGeotab preferred.
- Familiarity with Houston roads, highways, and traffic.
- Strong organizational, problem-solving, and prioritization skills; able to stay ahead of shifting ship dates and customer expectations.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, inventory/warehouse software, and handheld scanners.
- Knowledge of waterworks or industrial materials (pipe, fittings, fabricated steel and ductile products) preferred.
- Clear, professional communication with drivers, internal departments, carriers, and customers.
Education and Experience:
- High school diploma or GED required; associate or bachelor's degree in logistics, supply chain, or a related field preferred.
- 5+ years of shipping, warehouse, dispatch, or transportation experience, including at least 2 years in a supervisory or lead role.
- Forklift certification required or obtained within the first 30 days.
- Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record required; Class A or B CDL preferred.
General Expectations:
- Follow all company safety rules, SOPs, policies, and required PPE standards.
- Maintain accurate system transactions and immediately report operational or inventory exceptions.
- Work cooperatively across departments and communicate issues early.
- Maintain a clean, organized workplace and support 5S standards.
- Model the safety and accountability expected of the team.
Physical Requirements/Work Environment:
Work is performed in a combination of office and industrial warehouse/yard environments and may involve prolonged sitting at a computer as well as standing, walking, bending, climbing, working around forklifts and trucks, and handling industrial materials. Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds at times and work on the loading dock in a variety of weather conditions and temperatures. Some early, late, or weekend hours may be required to support shipping and delivery schedules.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
