Warehouse and Transportation Manager

Location: Madison Heights, United States Keller Executive Search is partnering with a global manufacturer of specialist engineered products that serve customers across healthcare, custodial and other regulated environments worldwide. The business is in an active growth phase and is investing in its US operation to match the standards of a mature international group. To lead that operation on the ground, our client is seeking a hands-on Warehouse and Transportation Manager for its site in Madison Heights, Michigan. This is a rare opportunity to own an entire US warehouse and transportation function end-to-end, from receiving and put-away through picking, packing, dispatch and national delivery. Reporting to the Head of Operations and forming part of the Site Leadership Team, you will be the single accountable leader for how high-value national shipments move: safely, accurately, on time and at controlled cost. You will shape the team, embed the systems and standards, and bring the site up to global standard. Across the industry, inventory accuracy and coordinated transportation are the biggest levers for on-time-in-full performance, and here you will own both. It is a role for a working manager who is as comfortable on the dock as in front of a KPI dashboard. With total responsibility for the function and a direct line into global leadership, the right person will find genuine autonomy, visible impact and a clear path toward a wider operations remit as the US business scales. Key Responsibilities Lead daily warehouse operations across receiving, inspection, put-away, storage, picking, packing and dispatch Set clear operating standards and coach the team to improve pick accuracy, productivity and right-first-time performance Optimize warehouse layout, slotting and workflows to reduce travel time, handling and avoidable delays Develop, implement and maintain effective standard operating procedures across all warehouse activities Own inventory accuracy through disciplined transaction control, cycle counting, stock audits and reconciliation of physical to system stock Investigate discrepancies, lead root-cause corrective action and reduce shrinkage, write-offs and manual exceptions Plan and manage US inbound and outbound transportation, including route, multi-stop and network planning Optimize transportation cost through route planning, load consolidation, carrier selection and performance management Manage carrier and third-party logistics relationships to agreed service, safety and compliance standards Monitor and improve on-time-in-full delivery, responding quickly to service failures and recurring issues Maintain a safe, organized and compliant operation, including risk reviews, incident investigations and audit-ready records Build, motivate and develop a high-performing team with clear roles, goals, standards and accountability Run the operation through TMS/WMS and shipping platforms as the system of record, producing reliable KPI reporting to the Head of Operations and Site Leadership Team Additional Information Permanent full-time role Onsite in Madison Heights, Michigan, reporting to the Head of Operations Domestic travel to suppliers, carriers or company locations as required, with flexibility to support operational priorities outside normal hours when necessary Must be eligible to work in the United States; relocation assistance is not offered To apply, submit your resume through this posting. Keller Executive Search manages this search on behalf of our client. Requirements Essential At least five years' experience in warehouse and transportation management, including direct team leadership Demonstrated experience managing high-value national shipments with accountability for value, carrier performance, tracking and damage/claims risk Background operating within a shipping, dispatch, warehouse-outbound, distribution or transportation department Hands-on use and ownership of transport and shipping software and systems (TMS, WMS, ERP shipping modules or carrier platforms) Strong track record of improving pick accuracy, inventory accuracy, productivity and on-time-in-full performance Sound knowledge of cycle-counting, inventory control and warehouse operating best practice Experience of US transportation planning, route optimization and managing carrier or third-party logistics relationships Practical knowledge of applicable US warehouse safety and transportation compliance requirements Confident using warehouse, inventory and performance data to identify issues, make decisions and deliver measurable improvement A hands-on, can-do leadership style that sets expectations, addresses underperformance and builds and follows process Professional English proficiency, spoken and written, to direct the team, coordinate carriers and work with global leadership Eligible to work in the United States and able to work onsite in Madison Heights, Michigan Preferred Experience configuring, implementing or optimizing WMS/TMS/ERP systems, not just operating them Experience in a fast-paced manufacturing, multi-site or high-SKU distribution environment Experience as the senior operations leader on a small US site within a larger global group reporting to remote leadership Background in regulated, audited or customer-critical shipping (medical device, security or specialty manufacturing) SOP authoring and warehouse layout, slotting or 5S optimization experience Lean Six Sigma, APICS/ASCM, CSCMP or comparable operations or supply-chain qualification Degree in supply chain, logistics, business or a similar field (not required) Ideal Candidate Profile You are a hands-on, accountable operations leader who thrives running the whole show on a lean single site. You are as comfortable clearing a jam on the dock as defending a KPI report to leadership, you own your numbers rather than explaining them, and you build and follow process instead of improvising. You have carried real accountability for high-value freight and for inventory that downstream teams depend on, and you are motivated by autonomy, visible impact and the chance to bring an operation up to a global standard. Benefits Base salary in the range of $60,000 to $90,000, with flexibility up to $100,000 for an exceptional candidate Annual bonus of up to 10% of base salary 401(k) retirement plan Healthcare coverage Public holidays plus 10 days of paid leave Total ownership of the US warehouse and transport function, with scope to shape the team and progress into a wider operations role Keller is a recruitment agency that provides services to clients ranging from startups and non profits to multinational corporations. Keller emphasizes ethical search processes, attentive candidate care, and leadership placements that support long-term client outcomes. To learn more about the firm and about our candidate services - please visit our website Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy Equal Employment Opportunity: Keller Executive Search and our clients are Equal Opportunity Employers. Qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, skin color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected status. We are committed to a diverse, inclusive workplace and comply with all applicable federal, state, and local nondiscrimination laws governing recruiting, hiring, promotion, termination, compensation, training, and all other employment terms and conditions. Harassment Prohibited: Workplace harassment based on any protected characteristic listed above is expressly prohibited. Reasonable Accommodations: We provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities and pregnant individuals through an interactive process to identify effective accommodations. Compensation and Pay Equity: Compensation information for client roles is provided in the job post or, if not included there, during the interview process consistent with applicable law (including in Colorado, Nevada, New York City, California, and Washington). Actual salary depends on skills, experience, role, location, and internal comparisons. We conduct periodic pay equity analyses. Salary history is not requested in Rhode Island or New Jersey (unless voluntarily disclosed); Connecticut applicants receive wage range information upon request or before compensation discussions. Privacy: California residents may review our Privacy Policy at www.kellerexecutivesearch.com for details on personal information collected for recruiting and employment purposes. Veteran Status: We provide equal employment opportunities to veterans and comply with applicable state veteran preference laws. Veterans are encouraged to self-identify during the application process. E-Verify: Keller Executive Search and/or our clients may participate in E-Verify; details will be provided during the application process where applicable. Genetic Information: Consistent with federal and state law, we do not discriminate based on genetic information and do not request or require it except as permitted by law. Use of Artificial Intelligence in Recruitment: AI tools may be used to support, but never replace, human decision-making in reviewing candidate qualifications. AI is never used to automatically reject, disqualify, or make final hiring decisions. All AI-assisted evaluations are reviewed by qualified human recruiters, ensuring fairness, consistency, and compliance with our equal employment opportunity principles. Local Laws: We comply with all applicable local laws and ordinances governing employment practices in the jurisdictions where we operate. Note: This job posting may be for a position with Keller Executive Search or one of our clients. The specific employer will be identified during the application and interview process, and applicable employment laws may vary accordingly.