Receiving Lead

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary

The Receiving Lead supports Detroit Axle’s Ontario distribution operation by leading the day-to-day receipt, verification, scanning, staging, and handoff of inbound automotive parts. The role is responsible for accurate system receipts, controlled exception handling, safe dock activity, clear employee direction, and timely escalation to the Warehouse Supervisor.

Reporting Structure & Role Boundaries

·        Reports directly to the Warehouse Supervisor and provides day-to-day direction to employees assigned to the department.

·        Escalates material staffing, safety, inventory, performance, employee-relations, equipment, or workflow issues to the Warehouse Supervisor.

·        May assign and redirect work, stop unsafe work, reinforce established procedures, and provide factual coaching within Detroit Axle procedures.

·        Does not independently change compensation, approve termination, issue final disciplinary decisions, enter contracts, commit Company funds, or change Company policy unless specifically authorized.

Receiving Operations

·        Lead daily inbound receiving activities and assign dock/receiving workloads based on scheduled arrivals, staffing, space, and operational priorities.

·        Coordinate dock readiness and safe unloading; verify the correct shipment, supplier/carrier information, quantities, part numbers/SKUs, packaging condition, and supporting documentation before product is accepted.

·        Ensure products are scanned, labeled, recorded, and routed to the correct staging or put-away location in Deposco or other Detroit Axle-designated systems.

·        Identify and segregate damaged, questionable, unidentified, overage, shortage, or incorrect product so it is not released into available inventory before disposition.

·        Investigate receiving discrepancies, missing inventory, incorrect shipments, duplicate receipts, and system exceptions; document findings and escalate unresolved issues.

·        Coordinate with Inventory Control, Purchasing, Logistics, and the Warehouse Supervisor regarding receiving variances, urgent inbound material, transfer receipts, and inventory availability.

·        Monitor receiving backlog, dock congestion, put-away delays, and space constraints; rebalance work and escalate material risks before they affect downstream operations.

Inventory, Put-Away & Documentation

·        Ensure received inventory is accurately identified, traceable, and directed to the correct storage location.

·        Confirm required scans and system transactions are completed before product moves from receiving to storage or another department.

·        Maintain receiving records, discrepancy documentation, photographs when required, checklists, and supporting documents in Detroit Axle-designated systems or SharePoint locations.

·        Support cycle counts, inventory investigations, and reconciliation when receiving activity contributes to a variance.

·        Maintain orderly receiving, staging, dock, and pedestrian areas using Detroit Axle 5S and housekeeping expectations.

Employee Leadership

·        Conduct shift start-up communication covering inbound priorities, dock assignments, hazards, equipment status, incomplete work, and exceptions.

·        Train and coach assigned employees on receiving procedures, scanning, product handling, damage identification, equipment restrictions, safety, and Company expectations.

·        Monitor attendance, punctuality, productivity, accuracy, quality, and adherence to assigned work and break schedules; document concerns factually and escalate recurring or significant matters.

·        Provide end-of-shift status to the Warehouse Supervisor, including receipts completed, backlog, discrepancies, damaged product, safety issues, and work carried forward.

Ontario Health & Safety Responsibilities

·        Because this position has authority over workers, perform the applicable duties of a supervisor under Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), including ensuring workers follow required measures and procedures and use required protective equipment.

·        Advise workers of known actual or potential workplace hazards and take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for worker protection.

·        Stop or correct unsafe work within the role’s authority and promptly escalate serious hazards, injuries, near misses, equipment defects, spills, blocked emergency access, damaged racking, or other material safety concerns.

·        Ensure only appropriately trained, competent, and authorized employees use powered material-handling equipment or other restricted equipment.

·        Support workplace inspections, hazard assessments, incident investigations, corrective actions, emergency procedures, and required safety documentation.

·        Complete Ontario supervisor health and safety awareness training within the required timeframe unless a verified regulatory exemption applies, and complete Detroit Axle-required role-specific training.

Employment Standards, Respectful Workplace & Accommodation

·        Plan work and shift coverage in accordance with Detroit Axle scheduling practices and applicable Ontario employment standards, including required eating periods, hours-of-work rules, rest requirements, and overtime requirements where applicable.

·        Do not independently deny statutory leaves, accommodation requests, or other protected employment rights; promptly refer such matters to the Warehouse Supervisor and Human Resources.

·        Support a workplace free from discrimination, harassment, and violence and promptly report concerns through Detroit Axle procedures.

·        Follow approved accommodation restrictions and modified-work instructions and maintain confidentiality of employee information.

Performance Expectations / KPIs

·        Receiving accuracy and timely completion of scheduled receipts.

·        Required scanning and system-transaction compliance.

·        Timely identification and documented resolution/escalation of shortages, overages, damage, and receiving discrepancies.

·        Safe dock operation, housekeeping, and 5S compliance.

·        Reduction of avoidable receiving errors and put-away delays.

Required Qualifications

·        Secondary school diploma or equivalent combination of relevant education, training, and experience.

·        At least 2 years of warehouse/distribution experience, including at least 1 year in a lead or supervisory capacity.

·        Ability to use warehouse management systems, handheld scanners, and standard Microsoft applications used by Detroit Axle.

·        Knowledge, training, and experience sufficient to organize assigned work safely and effectively.

·        Strong leadership, communication, organization, problem-solving, follow-through, and documentation skills.

·        Ability to communicate effectively in English for the requirements of the position; additional language skills are an asset.

·        Hands-on experience with receiving, inventory handling, inbound documentation, and put-away workflows.

Preferred Qualifications

·        Automotive parts distribution experience.

·        Experience with Deposco or a comparable WMS.

·        Experience coordinating dock activity and inbound carrier appointments.

Physical & Scheduling Requirements

The position involves active warehouse-floor leadership, including regular walking and standing and work around moving equipment, warehouse noise, and varying temperatures. Where material handling is an essential duty, safe lifting methods, suitable equipment, and assistance must be used as required. Evening, weekend, overtime, or adjusted hours may be required based on operational needs, subject to applicable Ontario law and approved accommodation obligations.

General

This job description summarizes the principal duties of the position and is not intended to list every task. Responsibilities may be adjusted based on operational needs, business requirements, employee capability, and management direction. All duties must be performed in accordance with Detroit Axle policies, procedures, safety requirements, and Principles of Ethical Business Conduct.