Operations Leader Jobs in Illinois

About Base

Base is America’s next-generation power company. We’re rebuilding the foundation of modern civilization–electricity–by deploying a vast network of distributed batteries that is transforming today’s fragile, centralized grid into a resilient and abundant system. We are engineers, operators, and creatives solving some of the most complex, interdisciplinary challenges of our time.

About the Role

We’re hiring the first Warehouse Supervisor in our first major market outside of Texas.

This isn’t a role where you inherit a mature operation with perfectly documented processes and years of history. You’ll help build the warehouse operation that powers Base’s expansion into Chicagoland — setting the standard for how materials move, how inventory is managed, and how the floor operates as we scale.

You’ll lead hourly warehouse personnel and own day-to-day material flow in a fast-moving manufacturing environment. From receiving and storage to kitting, line-side delivery, and shipping, your team keeps production moving and prevents small problems from becoming big ones.

We’re looking for someone who thrives in environments where speed matters, priorities shift quickly, and problems are solved in real time. Someone who’s just as comfortable jumping onto the floor to unblock an issue as they are reviewing KPIs and improving processes behind the scenes.

The right person cares deeply about safety, urgency, precision, accountability, and building systems that actually work at scale.

People Leadership:

• Supervise, coach, and develop an hourly workforce, including performance feedback, conflict resolution, corrective actions, and performance improvement plans
• Lead by example with a strong floor presence and clear expectations for safety, quality, and productivity
• Lead by setting an example, taking feedback from all levels of the organization, and motivating your organization to achieve the highest level of results
• Monitor staffing levels, timekeeping, attendance, and shift coverage
• Build a culture of accountability, continuous learning, and operational excellence

Warehouse & Materials Operations:

• Oversee receiving, inspection handoff, material board review disposition decisions, put-away, storage, picking, kitting, line-side delivery, and shipping operations
• Ensure material availability to production at agreed service levels while minimizing excess inventory and handling
• Maintain accurate inventory through disciplined execution of transactions, cycle counts, and audits
• Find opportunity for creative solution to unblock bottle necks along the process
• Enforce FIFO, shelf-life controls, and material segregation requirements
• Supervise internal logistics, milk runs, and material replenishment routes

Safety, Quality & Equipment Compliance:

• Ensure compliance with company procedures, quality standard
• Verify proper environmental controls for stored materials (temperature, humidity, ESD, hazardous materials)
• Ensure proper operation, state of charge and maintenance of material handling equipment (forklifts, pallet jacks, ladders)

Continuous Improvement & Cost Control:

• Identify and lead process improvements to increase throughput, accuracy, and labor efficiency
• Drive waste reduction initiatives across space, motion, handling, and inventory
• Support Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen initiatives
• Analyze operational metrics and implement corrective actions where targets are not met

Systems & Reporting:

• Ensure accurate and timely transactions in ERP/WMS systems
• Track and report KPIs such as inventory accuracy, on-time delivery, productivity, safety, and quality
• Collaborate cross-functionally with manufacturing, quality, supply chain, engineering, and logistics teams

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree or 5+ years of experience in warehouse, materials, manufacturing, or supply chain operations
• 1+ year of experience leading or supervising hourly teams in an operational environment
• Strong understanding of inventory control, material flow, and production support
• Experience with ERP/WMS systems (Odoo, SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, or similar)
• Ability to operate material handling equipment
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, lift, and carry materials for extended periods
• Ability to lift up to 75 lbs with or without accommodation
• Ability to operate forklifts and work at heights using ladders or elevated platforms

Willingness to work extended hours, weekends, or alternate shifts as required

About The Team

The Warehouse & Materials team exists to make sure every part is exactly where it needs to be, at the right time, in the right quantity, and in the right condition - so production never stops moving.

At Base, warehouse operations aren’t an afterthought. They’re a critical part of how we build and deploy reliable energy infrastructure at scale. Every pallet received, every kit delivered, and every inventory decision directly impacts our ability to power homes and grow the company.

This team solves real operational problems every day: preventing line stoppages, improving material flow, maintaining inventory accuracy, and building systems that can scale quickly without breaking.

As the first Warehouse Supervisor in Chicago, you won’t just run the operation, you’ll help define it. You’ll shape the culture on the floor, build structure where it’s needed most, and play a major role in launching Base’s next market successfully.

Please note: Base is a startup, which means priorities shift and evolve quickly. Your role may expand or change based on the needs of the business at any given time, so the responsibilities listed may not be exhaustive.

Our Values

• First Principles Thinking: Question assumptions. Principles > rules.
• Operate at Base Pace: Focus on what matters, act quickly, and learn by doing.
• Give & Get Feedback: Be direct, be humble, and maintain a growth mindset.
• Everyone’s an Owner: Follow through on commitments and own results.
• Strong Opinions, Loosely Held: Drive clarity and make calls with imperfect information.
• Committed to the Mission: Rebuilding the grid is a big challenge. We work hard because we care deeply about the impact we’re creating. We work in-person. It’s not a 9-to-5. We are all-in.
• Fun & Optimism Coexist with Grit: Collaboration and celebration coincide with the intensity of building real things.

Do the best work of your life at Base.