Warehouse Lead

WAREHOUSE LEAD

Madhappy is a Los Angeles-based clothing brand made for a community of optimists, born in 2017. Madhappy uses apparel, events, and experimental retail spaces - including its permanent flagship in West Hollywood - to explore a personal expression as a means to an improved state of mind. Its own seasonal stores - with past and present locations including New York City (Soho), Aspen, Miami, East Hampton, and Tokyo - are each designed to reflect their site, while still sharing the brand’s DNA. The brand currently produces a selection of ever-evolving, evergreen classic styles, seasonally available collections and collaborations. Madhappy supports research and awareness in mental health through The Madhappy Foundation (a 501c(3) non-profit) and writes Local Optimist, a print magazine. Each to celebrate us as works-in-progress, and the personal and collective expression that is a part of that.

About the job

We are seeking a Warehouse Lead to serve as second-in-command to the Warehouse Manager. This is a working lead position: you will perform receiving, picking, and packing alongside the team while directing daily operations, assigning labor, resolving exceptions, and holding the floor to accuracy and throughput standards. You will act as site lead in the Warehouse Manager's absence and own second shift during peak season and major product launches.

You must be based in or willing to move to Los Angeles to be considered for this position.

Responsibilities

• Shift Leadership & Supervision

  • Direct a team of 8-12 warehouse associates across receiving, picking, packing, and shipping

  • Set daily priorities against the open order queue - direct-to-consumer, retail transfer, and wholesale - and reallocate labor as volume shifts throughout the day

  • Serve as acting site lead when the Warehouse Manager is off-site, on PTO, or covering an alternate shift

  • Own second shift end-to-end during peak periods, including holiday, product drops, and collaboration launches

  • Communicate daily status, blockers, and staffing needs to the Warehouse Manager

  Receiving & Inventory Control

  • Verify inbound vendor cartons against purchase orders and packing lists; identify and resolve count and SKU discrepancies before product is putaway

  • Direct putaway to correct bin locations and maintain location accuracy

  • Execute recurring cycle counts, investigate variances, and drive root-cause correction

  • Process inbound customer returns, inspect for resale condition, and restock

  Order Fulfillment & Shipping

  • Maintain pick accuracy and pack quality standards appropriate to a premium apparel brand

  • Ensure daily carrier cutoffs are met and orders ship within stated service levels

  • Build and ship retail transfer orders to store locations on schedule

  • Troubleshoot fulfillment exceptions, including short-picks, backorders, and address failures

  Team Development & Compliance

  • Train new associates on process, systems, and safety standards

  • Coach existing associates toward improved accuracy, speed, and cross-functional capability

  • Schedule and enforce California meal and rest breaks without exception, ensuring coverage never causes a missed or late break

  • Escalate attendance and performance concerns to the Warehouse Manager promptly and with documentation

  Safety & Facility Standards

  • Enforce safety protocols governing material handling, ladders, and warehouse equipment

  • Maintain organized aisles, accurate bin labeling, and clean pack stations

  • Report all incidents and near-misses immediately

About you

Qualifications

• • 5+ years of warehouse experience

  • 2+ years in a warehouse lead, shift lead, or supervisor role with direct responsibility for the daily output of 5 or more associates

  • Hands-on proficiency with a warehouse management system (WMS), including receiving, picking, packing, cycle counting, and inventory adjustments

  • Availability to work second shift and extended hours during peak season

  • Clear written and verbal communication

  • High school diploma or equivalent

Characteristics

• Strong sense of ownership and accountability

• Highly organized with excellent attention to detail

• Positive attitude and willingness to support the team wherever needed

• Adaptable and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment

• Motivated to learn and continuously improve processes

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct ShipHero experience - this is our WMS and materially shortens ramp time

• Experience launching a new warehouse, absorbing volume from a 3PL, or building fulfillment process where little existed

• Apparel, footwear, or soft-goods background, including size and color SKU complexity and garment handling standards

• Direct-to-consumer ecommerce fulfillment experience with same-day or next-day ship cutoffs

• Bilingual English/Spanish

• Working knowledge of parcel carriers (USPS, UPS) and shipping software

• Experience supporting retail replenishment or inter-location transfers

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs unassisted

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and reach for the duration of an 8-hour shift

• Ability to work in a warehouse environment subject to seasonal temperature variation

• Ability to safely operate ladders and standard material handling equipment

Compensation & Benefits

• $26.00-$30.00 per hour, commensurate with experience

• Shift differential for second shift

• Overtime paid in accordance with California law

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage

• Paid time off and paid sick leave

• Employee discount

• Advancement path into warehouse management as the operation scales