Shipping Dock Manager

Frantz Wholesale Nursery, LLC is a leading grower of container grown trees and shrubs. From our farms in Hickman, CA, we supply landscapers, chain stores, and independent garden centers with a wide range of trees, native grasses, fruit and Citrus, roses and groundcovers. Frantz Nursery’s team of nearly 400 wonderful people work to ensure our products are some of the finest in the industry. Frantz Wholesale Nursery LLC takes excellent care of its employees, customers, and the communities it serves while delivering plant material that positively impacts our customers and the environment. Department: Shipping Reports To: Logistics Manager FLSA Status: Exempt Location: Hickman, CA Schedule: Full-time, includes swing shift oversight and occasional weekends during peak season Position Summary: The Shipping Dock Manager is responsible for the efficient, accurate, and high-quality execution of all outbound shipping operations at our plant wholesale nursery. This role manages multiple operational teams including order pullers, forklift drivers, swing shift loaders, and quality control personnel. The Shipping Dock Manager is expected to lead with a strong focus on planning, process execution, efficiency, and team training. The ideal candidate will understand how each piece of the shipping process—pulling, staging, shuffling, labeling, and loading—works together, and will be accountable for ensuring these processes are well-integrated and free of bottlenecks. Key Responsibilities: Operational Leadership Lead day-to-day shipping operations, ensuring accurate order fulfillment and efficient dock flow. Develop and execute daily shipping plans that align with customer order volume, delivery schedules, and labor availability. Direct the pulling team to retrieve plants from the field accurately based on pick lists and ensure timeliness and product quality. Oversee forklift drivers to ensure correct and safe staging of plant material on the dock. Manage swing shift loading crews to guarantee correct, secure, and timely truck loading. Quality Control & Process Oversight Supervise a dedicated quality control team responsible for final checks before loading. Implement and enforce standards for plant health, labeling accuracy, order completeness, and loading integrity. Ensure that all plant material shipped meets internal and customer-specific quality expectations. Conduct root cause analysis when quality issues occur and implement corrective actions. Training & Knowledge Development Ensure all dock staff are thoroughly trained on plant identification, order handling, pulling procedures, staging priorities, labeling protocols, and loading best practices. Create and maintain training documentation and conduct routine hands-on refreshers and cross-training. Foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement by ensuring team members understand the full lifecycle of the order-to-shipping process. Efficiency & Continuous Improvement Monitor dock flow and proactively eliminate bottlenecks caused by staging delays, miscommunication, or staff misalignment. Evaluate and refine staging and shuffling strategies to maximize throughput and dock organization. Identify process inefficiencies and recommend/implement improvements in coordination with operations leadership. Utilize metrics (e.g., staging times, loading rates, order accuracy, error rates) to guide decisions and track performance. People Management Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate shipping dock personnel across multiple functions and shifts. Build clear work schedules and staffing plans for both regular hours and swing shift crews. Provide clear direction, performance feedback, and hands-on leadership to keep the team aligned and motivated. Maintain a respectful, professional work environment that supports teamwork and safety. Safety & Compliance Enforce proper use of PPE and safe operation of forklifts and other equipment. Ensure all employees follow safety protoco…

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