Distribution Center Supervisor

Company Overview

Firestone Airide, specializes in air spring manufacturing and technology with a history of more than 80 years of research and development on technologically advanced air springs for the global marketplace. Firestone engineers air springs and related products for commercial trucks and trailers, cars, sport utility vehicles, light trucks, mini vans, motor homes, buses, agricultural equipment, rail and industrial applications.

Job Category

Supply Chain & Procurement

Position Summary

The Distribution Center Supervisor leads day-to-day warehouse operations to achieve safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity (SQDCP) objectives. This role directs hourly teammates across receiving, put-away, picking, packing, labeling, staging, and shipping; ensures accurate SAP transactions and inventory integrity; and supports on-time, error-free delivery to aftermarket, commercial vehicle, and automotive OEM customers. The Supervisor serves as the primary floor leader, partners closely with the DC Manager and cross-functional teams, and drives a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

Safety and Environmental

• Promote and model a positive, accountable safety culture; ensure teammates follow all safety rules, PPE requirements, and safe work practices.
• Conduct and document safety observations, job safety analysis (JSA) reviews, and PPE assessments.
• Ensure powered industrial truck (forklift) operators are trained, certified, and complete pre-shift inspections.
• Investigate incidents, near misses, and unsafe conditions; implement and verify corrective actions.
• Maintain emergency preparedness, including evacuation routes, fire extinguisher access, and clear aisles, and support drills such as Disaster Day exercises.
• Support environmental management system requirements, including waste segregation, recycling, and ISO 14001 compliance.

Leadership and Teammate Development

• Supervise, schedule, and assign work to hourly teammates and Team Leads to meet daily shipping and receiving requirements.
• Lead daily start-up and tier meetings to communicate priorities, safety topics, performance results, and customer requirements.
• Train, coach, and cross-train teammates using standard work and point-of-use work instructions; maintain training records and skills matrices.
• Identify and develop high-potential teammates and Team Lead candidates, including use of available learning resources such as LinkedIn Learning.
• Administer attendance, timekeeping, and work rules fairly and consistently; address performance and conduct issues in partnership with Human Resources.
• Participate in hiring, onboarding, and individual improvement plan (IIP) reviews for direct reports.

Warehouse Operations

• Direct receiving, put-away, replenishment, picking, packing, billing, staging, loading, and shipping activities.
• Coordinate inbound and outbound shipments to meet customer schedules, carrier pickups, and automotive delivery windows.
• Ensure correct customer-specific packaging, returnable containers, pallet build, stacking, and load securement to prevent damage and pallet collapse.
• Verify accurate shipping labels, packing lists, bills of lading, and advance ship notices (ASN) before product leaves the dock.
• Manage dock and staging areas to maintain organization, traceability, and proper label placement.
• Balance labor and equipment to respond to volume peaks, expedites, specials, and OE, commercial vehicle, automotive, and international orders.
• Maintain warehouse equipment and facilities in good working condition and coordinate repairs with maintenance.

Inventory Control and SAP

• Ensure accurate and timely SAP transactions, including goods receipts, transfer orders, handling units, deliveries, and goods issues.
• Lead the cycle count program; research and resolve inventory discrepancies and process inventory adjustments according to financial controls.
• Maintain FIFO, bin location accuracy, and barcode labeling of storage locations.
• Track customer returnable packaging balances and ensure accurate reporting and follow-up.
• Support SAP and warehouse system improvements, including scan-based picking, delivery grouping, and validation enhancements.

Quality and Compliance

• Ensure compliance with the Quality Management System and customer-specific requirements, including automotive OEM labeling and packaging standards.
• Conduct order accuracy audits and verification checks to prevent pick, pack, label, and shipment quantity errors.
• Lead or support containment and root cause investigations for customer complaints and internal nonconformances using 5 Why, 8D, and Is/Is Not methods.
• Support PFMEA and control plan updates, corrective and preventive actions, and verification of effectiveness.
• Prepare for and participate in internal and external audits; maintain document control for work instructions and visual standards.

Performance Management and Continuous Improvement

• Monitor and report key performance indicators (KPIs) such as on-time shipment, order accuracy, inventory accuracy, productivity, and safety.
• Maintain the SQD board and visual management tools; communicate performance trends and action plans.
• Lead 5S, lean, and waste-reduction activities, including regular 5S audits.
• Identify and implement improvements to pick strategy, receiving and put-away flow, carton and packing material selection, and workplace layout.
• Lead or participate in cross-functional continuous improvement projects.

Communication and Collaboration

• Partner with Customer Service, manufacturing, supply chain, transportation, sales, and quality to resolve order, routing, and delivery issues.
• Communicate directly with carriers and customer contacts regarding shipment status, pickups, and adjustments.
• Escalate risks to on-time delivery, quality, or safety to the DC Manager promptly.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support distribution center objectives.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Associate or bachelor's degree in supply chain, logistics, business, or a related field preferred.
• 3-5 years of warehouse, distribution, or logistics experience, including at least 2 years in a supervisory or team lead role.
• Experience in an automotive, manufacturing, or OEM-supplier distribution environment preferred.
• Experience with SAP or a comparable ERP/WMS system required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong leadership, coaching, and conflict-resolution skills with the ability to motivate a diverse team.
• Working knowledge of inventory control, cycle counting, FIFO, and shipping and receiving processes.
• Understanding of customer-specific labeling, packaging, and ASN requirements for automotive OEMs.
• Knowledge of OSHA requirements, powered industrial truck safety, and warehouse safe work practices.
• Familiarity with ISO 9001/IATF 16949 and ISO 14001 management systems.
• Proficiency with structured problem-solving tools (5 Why, 8D, PFMEA, control plans) and lean/5S principles.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and Teams; ability to analyze data and prepare reports.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills at all levels of the organization.

Key Performance Measures

• Safety: recordable injuries, near-miss reporting, and completion of safety observations and audits.
• Quality: order accuracy, customer complaints, and label and shipment errors.
• Delivery: on-time shipment and missed or expedited shipments.
• Inventory: cycle count accuracy and inventory adjustments.
• People: attendance, training completion, cross-training coverage, and retention.
• Cost and productivity: labor efficiency, overtime, and premium freight.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Work is performed primarily on the warehouse floor with exposure to forklifts, moving equipment, noise, and seasonal temperature changes.
• Must be able to stand, walk, bend, and climb stairs for extended periods and occasionally lift up to 50 pounds.
• Required personal protective equipment includes safety footwear, safety glasses, and high-visibility vests as required.
• Must be able to work extended hours, overtime, and flexible schedules, including weekends, to meet business needs.

What we offer

At Bridgestone, what really matters is to foster co-creation opportunities and empowering you to be creative and curious to make mobility safer, more efficient, and more sustainable for future generations. Whatever role you fill, when you represent Bridgestone, you are a valued teammate, and part of our larger mission to “Serve Society with Superior Quality”, for that, we offer you more than just a competitive compensation; we will provide you:

• A supportive and engaging onboarding experience to ensure a smooth transition into our team.
• The opportunity to develop and grow, through training and regular mentorship.
• Corporate Social Responsibility activities.
• A truly global, dynamic and challenging work environment.
• Agility and work/life effectiveness and your long-term well-being.
• An effective and inclusive team.

Bridgestone is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. It is our policy to consider all individuals for employment based on their unique merit and without regard to age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Employment Eligibility

If hired, a Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification must be completed at the start of employment. Temporary work authorization or the need for sponsorship may disqualify you from employment.