Warehouse Operations Manager

Title: Warehouse Operations Manager

Location: Waukegan, Illinois (onsite 5 days/week)

Reports To: Senior Director of Global Fulfillment and Logistics

Compensation: $85,000 - 95,000 base salary, plus benefits and equity

About Brilliant

Brilliant is an innovative branded products and corporate gifting company. Built with our clients in mind and a focus on creativity and technology, Brilliant curates, produces, and helps companies distribute memorable branded merchandise and custom products. Whether it's newsworthy press kits, welcome gifts for new employees, merchandise sets to promote a product launch, or giveaways people love - our team of retail trend experts and designers work together to produce impactful products that bring brands to life.

As a full-service partner, we offer product concepting, sourcing, design, custom packaging, merch collections, company stores, touchpoint gifting, warehousing, fulfillment and distribution.

Technology is part of our DNA. Our proprietary systems give clients instantaneous access to important information and tools, including real-time inventory data, on-demand fulfillment services, and convenient 3rd party system integrations, such as Salesforce, Workday, and Zapier - reducing busy work and creating a seamless experience for gift givers and receivers.

What You'll Do

The Warehouse Operations Manager owns inventory at Brilliant's Waukegan warehouse. You'll ensure all items received are counted, stored, and tracked accurately so clients and staff can feel confident about our real-time inventory data.

You'll lead receiving, put-away, inventory control, storage, and returns. You'll work closely with warehouse leadership, sharing ownership of the floor on staffing, space, safety, and handoffs. This is a fully onsite, hands-on role.

Receiving & Put-Away

• Oversee inbound receiving, including checking shipments against purchase orders, inspecting incoming goods, labeling, and timely put-away.
• Resolve receiving discrepancies (shortages, overages, damage) with production, procurement, and vendors.
• Coordinate inbound schedules with production so the warehouse is ready for program launches and peak periods.

Inventory Control & Accuracy

• Own inventory accuracy for client-owned and Brilliant inventory, ensuring system data matches what's on our shelves.
• Run the cycle count program and physical inventory audits, and investigate and resolve variances.
• Maintain data integrity in our systems, including SKU setup, locations, and inventory adjustments.
• Prevent shrinkage and damage through clear handling, storage, and security procedures.

Storage & Space Management

• Plan warehouse layout, slotting, and space allocation to support a growing SKU count and multi-client inventory.
• Identify aged, slow-moving, and obsolete inventory, and work with account teams on consolidation and disposition.

Returns

• Oversee returns processing, including inspection, restocking, disposition, and accurate system updates.

Team Leadership

• Hire, train, schedule, coach, and evaluate the leads and hourly associates on the inventory team.
• Partner with warehouse leadership to share labor across the floor during peaks.
• Build a team culture focused on accuracy, safety, and accountability.

Performance & Continuous Improvement

• Track and report on inventory KPIs, including inventory accuracy, cycle count variance, dock-to-stock time, adjustments and shrink, and returns turnaround.
• Build and refine SOPs for receiving, put-away, counting, and returns, and cross-train the team on them.
• Turn learnings from inventory variances, mis-ships, and returns into process improvements, alongside the fulfillment team.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Serve as the go-to for inventory questions and reporting from account management, production, and support teams.
• Own the handoff of accurate, available inventory to kitting and fulfillment.
• Partner with our product and technology teams to improve the inventory tools and workflows in our proprietary systems.

Safety & Compliance

• Maintain a safe, clean, and organized facility, including regular racking and equipment inspections.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and OSHA regulations, and lead safety training for your team.
• Model and reinforce Brilliant's values and commitment to excellence on the warehouse floor.

What You'll Bring

• 3+ years of experience in warehouse operations or inventory control, including experience managing hourly employees.
• Strong working knowledge of receiving, cycle counting, physical inventories, and variance investigation.
• Experience in a high-SKU, multi-client, or project-based environment (3PL, eCommerce, or gifting experience a plus).
• Hands-on experience with WMS, ERP, or other inventory management systems, and comfort learning proprietary tools.
• Comfortable working with inventory data and reports (Excel or Google Sheets).
• A hands-on, floor-oriented leader who can coach, motivate, and hold team members accountable.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to prioritize, manage competing demands, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating closely with warehouse and corporate teams.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) strongly preferred.

EEOC Statement:

Brilliant is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, genetic information, or pregnancy, or any other characteristic protected by law. Our policy of equal employment opportunity applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training. We are committed to fostering a fair and merit-based workplace where every employee feels valued and respected.

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