Warehouse Manager

Warehouse Manager

Location: Lincolnwood, IL
Compensation: $70,000–$85,000 annually

About the Role

We’re looking for a Warehouse Manager who doesn’t just maintain the status quo — but moves the department forward. At Food For Thought, we’re a hospitality company that thrives on precision, service, and growth. The right candidate will be a strategic operator who can elevate warehouse systems, inspire people, and deliver the efficiency, consistency, and quality our business demands.

You’ll oversee all aspects of warehouse operations — from procurement and fleet logistics to beverage management, inventory systems, and team leadership. Beyond managing day-to-day functions, you’ll identify process improvements, implement standards that drive efficiency, and build a team culture focused on accountability, communication, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, train, and mentor a warehouse team that is aligned, capable, and accountable.
• Strengthen operational systems — ensuring consistency in inventory management, fleet use, and distribution.
• Develop forward-thinking procurement strategies that reduce waste, control costs, and eliminate last-minute purchases.
• Partner with the Purchasing Manager to analyze market pricing and drive down beverage and supply costs.
• Maintain high standards of organization, cleanliness, and safety across all warehouse spaces.
• Conduct regular safety audits and ensure compliance with regulations.
• Protect company assets by enforcing tracking and check-in/out procedures for all props, equipment, and vehicles.
• Identify technology and process improvements that modernize the department and improve speed, accuracy, and reliability.
• Participate in planning and cross-department collaboration to support seamless execution across Events, Workspace, and Dining Services divisions.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of warehouse or logistics management experience, preferably in hospitality, foodservice, or event production.
• Proven record of improving efficiency, systems, or culture within an operations team.
• Strong leadership, communication, and coaching skills.
• Hands-on and strategic — equally comfortable on the floor and in planning meetings.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to pass pre-employment and DOT screening.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills; thrives in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of foodservice distribution, purchasing systems, and beverage management.
• Familiarity with fleet operations, logistics software, or warehouse management systems.
• Demonstrated success leading change and improving team engagement.

Why Join Food For Thought

We’re a leader in Chicago’s hospitality industry — and we’re growing. Joining FFT means being part of a culture built on care, excellence, and forward motion. You’ll have the tools and support to build your team, shape your department, and make a lasting impact.

We Offer:

• Competitive pay and growth potential
• Career development through FFT University (70+ professional courses)
• Medical + Dental + Vision Insurance (spouse/domestic partner coverage included)
• Paid Time Off and Paid Parental Leave (equal for mothers and fathers)
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid Life, AD&D, and Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Flexible Spending & Health Savings Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program (Mental Health, Family, Financial & Legal Support)
• Employee Meal Plan & Discounts (travel, entertainment, pet insurance, and more)
• Anniversary Milestone Incentives

Grow with us! - at Food For Thought, instruction, advice, and assistance are always readily available, which is why our average tenure is 5 years. The U.S. average is 4.3 years, while the Hospitality industry average is only 2 years!

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to lift and carry items of 50+ pounds for a moderate distance.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is almost always exposed to outside weather conditions.

While performing the duties of this job, is continuously exposed to heavy equipment such as delivery vehicles or fork trucks.

EEO Statement

Food For Thought provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all applicants and employees, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations.

E-Verify Participation

Food For Thought participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9. For more information on E-Verify, or if you believe that your employer has violated its E-Verify responsibilities, please contact DHS.