Warehouse Manager

at Illinois Tollway in Downers Grove, Illinois, United States

Job Description

The Illinois Tollway is dedicated to providing and promoting a safe and efficient system of highways while ensuring the highest possible level of service for our customers. Whether it's I-PASS, the Move Illinois Program, open road tolling or keeping you safe with our H.E.L.P. trucks, we are committed to delivering great benefits and services to customers.

The Tollway is a user-fee system – no state or federal tax dollars are used to support maintenance and operations. Operations are funded by toll and concession revenues.

Under the leadership of the Board of Directors and Executive Staff, the Tollway is committed to achieving the following goals: increase collaboration with regional transportation and planning agencies, promote the regional economy, maintain financial integrity, foster environmental responsibility and sustainability, maintain the safety and efficiency of the Tollway system, further transparency and accountability, enhance customer service, and maintain public trust.

In support of this vision, the Warehouse Manager is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and strategic direction of the Tollway’s Central Warehouse Operations.  This role ensures efficient inventory and asset management, timely order fulfillment and delivery, effective facility operation, and compliance with agency policies and goals.  The Warehouse Manager works collaboratively across departments and external vendors to support operational efficiency and service excellence throughout the agency.

The Warehouse Manager reports to the Deputy Chief of Facilities & Fleet and the General Manager of Quality Control and Oversight. The following positions report directly to the Warehouse Manager: Warehouse & Materials Distribution Supervisor, Inventory Control Auditor, Messenger Services Supervisor, Warehouse Asset Manager, Inventory Planner, Clothing Room Supervisor, and the Property Control Manager.  The Warehouse Manager will manage eight (8) direct reports and indirectly supervise a staff of approximately sixteen (16).

The Warehouse Manager provides the Tollway with Central Warehouse operations support including inventory and asset management, audits, order and delivery expeditions, a delivery route system, and facility management. The Warehouse Manager will interact with every department within the agency as well as outside vendors.

• Train and develop inventory management and warehouse staff to operate efficiently in a customer service-oriented environment.
• Provide leadership and direction to the Tollway’s Central Warehouse Operations team on inventory control, asset management, audits, order processing, delivery logistics, and facility management.
• Develop, implement, and maintain warehouse policies, procedures, and operational standards aligned with Tollway’s goals and requirements.
• Oversee inventory planning, asset tracking, property control, and materials distribution to ensure accuracy, accountability and regulatory compliance.
• Manage and optimize delivery routes and distribution systems to ensure timely and cost-effective service.
• Coordinate with external vendors and suppliers to support procurement, deliveries, and inventory needs.
• Conduct regular meetings with supervisory staff to review performance, address challenges, and ensure coordination across all warehouse functions.
• Monitor operational performance, identify opportunities for process improvements, and implement efficiencies to enhance service delivery.
• Ensure compliance with applicable policies, safety standards and regulatory requirements.
• Manages department requests utilizing Central Warehouse materials, supplies, and services to meet the operational needs of the Tollway.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures for inventory and asset management providing control and accountability for purchases made by the Tollway.
• Develop and administer procedures for use by the Central Warehouse when responding to vendor problems and inquiries as to improving relationships and providing better service to the Tollway.
• Evaluates and analyzes the materials and inventory levels supported by Central Warehouse operations for determining stock performance and customer satisfaction.
• Coordinate and manage service interruptions associated with the annual physical inventory audit including unscheduled internal and external audits.  Results of these audits are evaluated in determination of the Warehouse Manager’s ability to master effective inventory control management. 
• Prepare bid analyses and award recommendations for commodities and services.
• Administer and coordinate the performance of annual physical inventory counts and asset audits at all Tollway remote locations.   The Warehouse Manager is responsible for improving accountability as it pertains to inventory control and documentation.
•  Demonstrates the ability to effectively respond to daily disruptions within normal operations including reallocation of manpower resources as needed.
• Manage all mechanical, electrical, and janitorial requirements within the Central Warehouse facility ensuring all vehicles are assigned, maintained, and operating safely.
• Maintain the physical condition of the Central Warehouse through mechanical equipment planning and design ensuring efficient space utilization, quality, and budgetary targets of environmental objectives are met. 
• Prepare and conduct annual performance evaluations of direct reports.
• Complete other duties or tasks as required or assigned.

Education (Required)

A high school diploma or equivalent is required.  

Education (Preferred)

Skills and Qualifications (required)

• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Word, SAP, Excel, and Outlook. 
• Attention to detail is required. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 
• Ability to interact effectively with various levels of management and to communicate well with staff and vendors. 
• Ability to compose memos and reports.
• Ability to handle advanced tasks, experience in Vendor Managed Inventory warehousing planning.
• Five (5) years or more experience in warehouse inventory security, control, and asset management. 
• Experience in managing warehouse operations from planning to acquisition to distribution and disposition of surplus equipment. 
• Five (5) years or more of demonstrable relevant experience of a high degree of skill in accounting for property at a central location. 
• Experience in managing logistics and distribution work. 
• Knowledge of modern warehouse design methodologies and processes.
• Experience managing inventory at satellite locations.
• A valid Illinois Driver’s license is required. 
• This position will be required to be on call for emergency situations and overtime. 
• Relevant experience in managing delivery personnel and operations, including experience administering labor-related contract obligations for several groups of union employees. 
• Relevant experience in supervision of warehouse staff on different shifts. 

The Illinois Tollway is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin or ancestry, disability, unfavorable discharge from military services, age, order of protection status, military status, sex or sexual orientation.