Warehouse Manager

Job Description:

Company Overview

Celeste was founded in 1946 in Wilton, Connecticut, as a perfume manufacturer and has since evolved into a global chemical company. Through decades of innovation and diversification, the company expanded into cleaning and odor control solutions, serving industries such as healthcare, aviation, and rail.

Celeste offers a broad portfolio including surface cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing, water treatment, MRO, and hand care products. The company is recognized as a trusted partner and leading innovator, serving commercial airlines and rail customers worldwide with high-quality solutions and strong customer service.

Our Values:

Simplicity : focusing on the essential core of each business opportunity, guided by the “80/20” rule to streamline processes, systems and structures.

Shared Risk : collaborating as a team, taking joint responsibility, and learning from trial and error to drive innovation.

Integrity : honesty, transparency, and doing the right thing in all business dealings, regardless of brand and location.

Respect : valuing diversity in cultural backgrounds and fostering an open environment where innovation can thrive.

Trust : relying on employees to uphold the highest professional standards and act in the company’s best interests.

What We Offer:

Celeste’s benefits package is designed to provide comprehensive support for physical, mental, and financial well-being including healthcare, retirement planning, paid leave, wellness programs, and opportunities for charitable involvement.

Position Summary :

The Warehouse Manager is responsible for leading the day-to-day shipping, receiving, warehousing, and inventory control operations within a fast-paced chemical manufacturing environment. This role ensures the safe, accurate, compliant, and timely movement of raw materials, packaging components, and finished goods while maintaining strong inventory accuracy, service levels, and operational efficiency.

The Warehouse Manager provides hands-on leadership to warehouse personnel, partners closely with Production and other site functions, and drives continuous improvement across material flow and warehouse processes.

Core Responsibilities

• Lead daily warehouse operations, including shipping, receiving, material movement, staging, storage, and inventory control, to support production schedules and customer requirements.
• Plan and coordinate inbound and outbound freight activities, ensuring customer orders and incoming materials are processed accurately, efficiently, and on schedule.
• Ensure compliance with hazardous materials transportation requirements across applicable modes, including DOT (ground), IATA (air), and IMDG (sea), and maintain required shipping documentation.
• Oversee safe operation and utilization of material handling equipment, including forklifts; ensure daily pre-use inspections are completed and documented and required operator training is maintained.
• Maintain accurate inventory records for raw materials, packaging supplies, and finished goods through cycle counts, physical inventories, transaction discipline, and timely resolution of discrepancies.
• Manage, train, coach, and schedule warehouse employees to meet business needs, maintain appropriate coverage, and support employee development and accountability.
• Establish and reinforce safe work practices, hazardous material handling requirements, housekeeping standards, and applicable site procedures in partnership with EHS and site leadership.
• Monitor warehouse workflow and material availability to identify and resolve bottlenecks that could impact production, shipping performance, or customer service.
• Partner with the Plant Manager, Production, Customer Service, Supply Chain, Quality, EHS, and other stakeholders to align priorities and execute shared operational goals.
• Drive continuous improvement using Lean manufacturing principles and tools, including Kanban and material replenishment processes, to improve flow, reduce waste, and increase warehouse efficiency.
• Track and communicate warehouse performance, inventory accuracy, shipping/receiving issues, safety concerns, and corrective actions; escalate risks as appropriate.
• Maintain warehouse organization, storage standards, and documentation to support audit readiness and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications / Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate or bachelor's degree in supply chain, logistics, operations, business, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience in warehouse operations, shipping/receiving, logistics, or inventory control, preferably within a manufacturing or chemical environment.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience leading or supervising warehouse or logistics employees.
• Current hazardous materials shipping certification or demonstrated working knowledge of hazardous materials transportation regulations, including DOT, IATA, and IMDG requirements.
• Strong knowledge of warehouse operations, inventory control practices, material handling equipment, shipping processes, and safe forklift operations.
• Experience using ERP/inventory management systems and shipping software; proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain inventory accuracy, investigate discrepancies, and implement corrective actions.
• Working knowledge of workplace safety requirements and experience leading teams in a safety-focused, regulated environment.
• Experience with Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement tools, including Kanban and material replenishment systems, preferred.
• Strong leadership, organization, problem-solving, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to prioritize competing demands and make sound decisions in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.