Logistics & Warehouse Operations Manager

Job Summary The Logistics & Warehouse Operations Manager is responsible for the daily execution of our shipping, handling, and warehouse departments across three primary sectors: trade show exhibits, retail fixture rollouts, and live event activations. This role ensures that high-value, custom-built exhibits, retail millwork, AV equipment, and experiential staging goods are safely packed, crated, and transported. You will directly supervise a dedicated warehouse team and coordinate closely with logistics staff to manage freight, ensuring strict compliance with complex venue regulations (from convention centers to shopping malls and arenas), union rules, and highly targeted delivery schedules. Key Responsibilities Packing, Crating, and Quality Control Custom Crating & Packaging: Supervise the design and construction of custom, reusable wooden crates for fragile trade show exhibits, while also establishing packaging standards for retail fixtures, millwork, and live event AV/staging gear. Standardization: Ensure all outbound freight is properly palletized, banded, shrink-wrapped, and clearly labeled, adapting the prep method to the destination (e.g., blanket-wrapping for retail vs. heavy-duty crating for trade shows). Damage Prevention: Enforce rigorous packing standards to ensure zero transit damage and minimize wear-and-tear from repeated drayage (forklift handling) or multi-stop LTL transport. Freight & Transportation Strategy Logistics Coordination: Manage logistics staff and assist in booking diverse freight solutions, including FTL (Full Truckload), LTL (Less Than Truckload), padded-van lines for delicate retail items, and expedited air-freight services. Carrier Relations: Maintain relationships with specialized carriers (trade show freight forwarders, white-glove retail delivery services, and event tour trucking), track shipments, and ensure on-time delivery. Documentation: Review and ensure accuracy on all Bills of Lading (BOL), commercial invoices, and return shipping labels across all three sectors. Venue & Industry Compliance Multi-Venue Operations: Act as the internal point-of-contact for venue logistics. Understand the specific freight and marshaling protocols for convention centers (e.g., Javits, LVCC), the after-hours/liftgate delivery requirements for retail malls, and loading dock constraints for arenas and live event spaces. Target Dates: Ensure all freight is scheduled to hit strict target move-in windows mandated by General Service Contractors (GSCs) for trade shows, retail construction schedules, and live event show-calls. Union Navigation: Maintain working knowledge of union jurisdictions regarding freight handling, unloading, and drayage at major trade show and live event venues to prevent on-site delays. Warehouse & Team Management Labor Management: Schedule, train, and supervise a team of warehouse associates, forklift operators, and packing specialists. Multi-Sector Inventory Control: Track and store client-owned trade show assets, manage inventory for multi-store retail rollouts, and handle the turnaround/repair of live event rental gear before it is restocked. Safety & Compliance: Maintain a clean, organized, and OSHA-compliant warehouse environment, ensuring all staff are certified on material handling equipment. Qualifications & Requirements Experience: 5+ years of experience in warehouse management and logistics, specifically within the trade show, retail fixture, live events, or custom fabrication industries. Knowledge: Strong understanding of multi-modal logistics, drayage calculations (CWT), GSC manuals, advance warehouse vs. direct-to-site shipping, and white-glove/inside delivery requirements. Leadership: Experience supervising warehouse and administrative staff, with a hands-on approach to problem-solving. Technical Skills: Proficiency with ERP/WMS (Warehouse Management Systems) and freight tracking software. Forklift certification (or ability to train/certify others) is required. Flexibility:…

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