Senior Warehouse Specialist

Role Summary

The Senior Warehouse Specialist plays a crucial lead role in managing complex warehouse operations, including domestic and international shipments, inventory control, and interdepartmental coordination. This position ensures end-to-end supply chain execution with internal and external stakeholders while promoting accuracy, compliance, and continuous improvement. It involves direct communication and coordination with Anika customers and 3PL providers. The Senior Specialist will act as a subject matter expert in SAP inventory management and lead efforts to optimize space, process flow, and service levels following lean and Six Sigma principles.

Responsibilities

• Shipping & Logistics: Coordinate and execute domestic and international shipments, including documentation, customs clearance, Incoterms, and carrier selection.
• Shipping & Logistics: Engage with customers directly and coordinate effectively, demonstrating professionalism and clarity as a representative of Anika’s core values and image.
• Shipping & Logistics: Collaborate with Customer Service to align shipping schedules and ensure on-time customer delivery.
• Shipping & Logistics: Arrange transportation with freight carriers and 3PLs, monitoring performance and ensuring cost-effectiveness.
• Returns & Product Disposition: Receive and process customer returns; route items to Quality and Inspection teams.
• Returns & Product Disposition: Collaborate with Quality, Sales, and Marketing to determine disposition (restock, scrap, or sample).
• Returns & Product Disposition: Manage logistics and documentation for marketing sample distribution.
• Inventory Control & SAP Management: Lead and execute cycle counts/year end and month-end inventory reconciliations to ensure high inventory accuracy.
• Inventory Control & SAP Management: Monitor and maintain real-time inventory visibility in SAP, including inter-site transfers, lot control, and stock status.
• Inventory Control & SAP Management: Balance inventory levels between on-site and off-site (3PL) warehouses, initiating replenishment as needed.
• Inventory Control & SAP Management: Excel data management to log and track daily metrics.
• Material Flow & Warehouse Operations: Support daily material flow for manufacturing and packaging teams, prioritizing internal customer service.
• Material Flow & Warehouse Operations: Coordinate incoming raw material deliveries, labeling, and indirect material requests to end users.
• Material Flow & Warehouse Operations: Ship and receive materials to/from off-site sterilizers ensuring chain of custody and documentation accuracy.
• Process Optimization & Leadership: Optimize warehouse layout and racking capacity using 5S and lean warehousing practices.
• Process Optimization & Leadership: Identify improvement opportunities and implement process enhancements in alignment with Six Sigma methodology.
• Process Optimization & Leadership: Support training of new warehouse staff and contribute to SOP and work instruction development.
• Systems & Documentation: Act as an advanced SAP user, capable of handling complex transactions and resolving inventory discrepancies.
• Systems & Documentation: Ensure all warehouse and distribution activities are performed in compliance with QSR, cGMP, and internal SOPs.
• Job Complexity: This role involves managing a high degree of operational complexity, including multiple concurrent shipments, return flows, and interdepartmental requests. The Senior Warehouse Specialist must exercise sound judgment, autonomy, and decision-making in a fast-paced environment. Leadership in continuous improvement, process ownership, and cross-functional alignment is critical.
• Supervisory Responsibilities: While this position has no direct reports, it involves informal leadership of warehouse operations and support in training and mentoring peers.

Qualifications

• Required: High School Diploma or GED
• Preferred: Associate or Bachelor’s degree in logistics or related field
• Required: 3 years of experience in warehousing, logistics, or inventory control in a manufacturing or life sciences environment
• Required: Demonstrated expertise with SAP or equivalent ERP system (SAP required)
• Required: Experience with freight coordination, international shipments, and customs documentation
• Required: Knowledge of warehouse equipment, including forklifts and pallet jacks
• Required: Ability to lift up to 50 lbs

Skills

• Preferred: Ability to communicate professionally and clearly with customers and key stakeholders.
• Preferred: Advanced SAP user—deep familiarity with inventory modules, goods movement, and reporting.
• Preferred: Strong understanding of global shipping logistics, including 3PL and sterilization partners.
• Preferred: Proven ability to multitask and prioritize complex shipment and material handling schedules.
• Preferred: Familiarity with lean warehouse principles, space optimization, and 5S/Kaizen initiatives.
• Preferred: Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Preferred: Ability to document and implement improved warehouse processes.
• Preferred: Novice Excel skills