The posting
About Shepherd Electric Supply
Since 1892, Shepherd Electric Supply has been the first call when complex, time-critical electrical challenges need to be solved, and reliability truly matters. We move materials accurately and on time, so contractors stay on schedule, projects stay on track, and customers never have to wonder if we will come through.
Our success comes from people who take pride in doing things the right way — safely, accurately, and with care for teammates and customers alike. If you want to do work that matters at a company that notices, this is the place.
Why This Role Matters
Every order Shepherd promises to a customer has to leave this building correctly. The Warehouse Lead – Shipping Department owns that moment — the pull, the pack, the verify, the load. When this function runs clean, customers get what they ordered, drivers leave on time, and the branch keeps its word. When it does not, everyone downstream feels it.
This is not a role where close enough is acceptable. Shipments that go out wrong cost time, trust, and money — and they put other people’s work at risk. You are the last line of quality control before product leaves the building, and the person who sets the standard for how the shipping crew shows up every shift.
The Richmond branch is growing. The shipping function needs to grow with it without losing accuracy or pace. That starts here.
How This Role Connects to Our Compass
We Keep Our Promises: Every outbound order is a commitment made to a customer. You are responsible for making sure that commitment is fulfilled accurately — right product, right quantity, right documentation — every time. If a shipment leaves wrong, it did not meet the standard.
We Stay Hungry: You are always looking for where the process can be tighter, faster, or less error-prone. You surface patterns — recurring pick errors, documentation gaps, staging bottlenecks — and bring them to your manager with ideas, not just observations.
We Grow Together: You bring your crew along. New team members learn how shipping works by working alongside you, not by reading a document. When the team is trained well and held to a consistent standard, the function covers itself and the branch gets stronger.
We Own It: You do not release an order you are not confident in. You do not leave a problem for the next shift. When something is off — a count discrepancy, a missing document, a damaged item — you resolve it or escalate it before the truck leaves. Ownership in shipping is visible on every outbound manifest.
We Go Above & Beyond: Priority orders are flagged and staged before they are asked for. Will-call customers do not wait. You anticipate what sales and dispatch need and coordinate proactively instead of reactively. The bar is not getting orders out — it is getting them out right, on time, every day.
Key Outcomes
Organized by what matters, not just what you do.
Outbound Fulfillment & Order Accuracy
- Pull, stage, and verify outbound orders before they leave the building — right product, right quantity, every time
- Confirm shipping documentation is complete and accurate on every outbound shipment
- Identify and resolve discrepancies between the order and the pick before the order is loaded
- Prioritize time-sensitive and flagged orders with urgency and direct communication to dispatch and sales
- Ensure will-call orders are staged and ready before the customer arrives
Shipping Documentation & Compliance
- Ensure bills of lading, packing slips, and delivery documentation are completed accurately for every shipment
- Maintain organized records of outbound activity, exceptions, and carrier interactions
- Flag recurring documentation errors or carrier issues to the Warehouse Manager for systemic review
Carrier & Dispatch Coordination
- Coordinate with dispatch on daily truck schedules, load sequencing, and route priorities
- Communicate proactively with carriers on timing, exceptions, and special handling requirements
- Resolve outbound exceptions in real time — do not hold up a truck waiting for someone else to decide
Team Leadership & Daily Execution
- Set the pace, accuracy standards, and safety expectations for the shipping crew each shift
- Delegate picking, packing, staging, and loading tasks clearly and follow up on completion
- Support onboarding and on-the-floor training for new shipping team members
- Escalate performance or conduct concerns to the Warehouse Manager promptly and directly
Equipment & Facility
- Operate forklifts, pallet jacks, and dock equipment safely and in compliance with Shepherd standards
- Conduct pre-shift equipment inspections and report maintenance needs before they become failures
- Keep the shipping area and dock organized — staged orders clearly marked, aisles clear, hazards addressed
- Support safety compliance at the team level — you are the first layer of accountability on the dock
Continuous Improvement
- Surface pick errors, staging bottlenecks, documentation gaps, and workflow friction to the Warehouse Manager
- Recommend and test process changes that improve accuracy, throughput, or team capacity
- Cross-train on adjacent functions — receiving, inventory control — to increase team flexibility
What Success Looks Like
After 90 days, you and your Manager should both be able to point to these markers:
- Outbound orders leave clean — right product, right quantity, right documentation — on every shift
- Priority and time-sensitive orders are staged and ready before they are asked for
- Will-call customers do not wait for their orders
- Shipping documentation is complete and accurate; exceptions are resolved before the truck leaves
- The shipping crew knows what is expected and executes without being managed by the hour
- Equipment is inspected, maintained, and operated safely every shift
- The Warehouse Manager trusts that the dock runs correctly when they are not watching
- You have identified and acted on at least one meaningful process improvement in your first 90 days
Who Thrives Here
This role is a strong fit if:
- You own the outcome, not just the task — you do not release an order you are not confident in
- You hold your team to a standard without making it adversarial
- You move with urgency and stay accurate under pressure — speed and precision are not trade-offs here
- You communicate directly with your crew, with dispatch, with sales, and with leadership
- You catch the error before it leaves the building instead of explaining it after
- You stay organized when the dock is busy and the plan needs to flex
- You want to build a shipping operation the rest of the branch can rely on
Qualifications & Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent required
- Experience in outbound shipping, fulfillment, or distribution preferred
- Forklift and pallet jack certification required or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire
- Familiarity with shipping documentation — bills of lading, packing slips, carrier requirements
- Proficiency with warehouse management systems and standard computer tools (Excel, email)
- Ability to lift up to 60 lbs. regularly and stand for extended periods
- Valid driver’s license required
- Ability to successfully complete pre-employment screening requirements
Why Join Shepherd Electric Supply
- Competitive hourly pay with opportunity for growth
- Medical, dental, and life insurance
- Prescription drug coverage
- Paid vacation and personal time
- 401(k) with employer match
- Stable organization with over 130 years of industry leadership
- A culture where reliability is noticed, ownership is rewarded, and people come first
- A company scaling into new markets — with real paths to grow with it
Work Shift and Hours: Monday - Friday, 10:00am - 7:00am
Compensation Details: The expected pay rate for this position is starting at $23.00 - $24.00 per hour depending on experience.
Additional Information:
- Steel toed boots required.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Shepherd Electric Supply is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.
Why should you join Shepherd Electrical Supply?
At Shepherd Electric Supply, excellence in service, pricing, and products has been our mission since 1892. As the oldest wholesale electrical distributor in the Baltimore/Washington area, we take pride in our exceptional customer service and extensive inventory.
We have a rich history of partnering with industry leaders like Siemens and Eaton, and our commitment to quality and innovation has made us a trusted name in the industry. Join our team and be a part of our legacy!
Apply now and find out what’s next for you.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Vet/Disabled
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