Warehouse Operations Manager Jobs in Illinois
Warehouse Operations Manager jobs in Illinois are among the most active in the Midwest, concentrated in logistics, food distribution, manufacturing, and e-commerce fulfillment at levels from first-line supervisor through senior director of operations. Chicago, Joliet, and Elgin anchor the hiring market, with established employers such as Amazon, Walmart, and U.S. Foods maintaining large distribution footprints across northeastern Illinois. Cold chain logistics, last-mile fulfillment, and lean manufacturing operations are the most in-demand specialties right now. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 4 of 40+ Warehouse Operations Manager jobs
- Full-time
- Pay Range: $100,000.00/Yr. - $120,000.00/Yr.
- Shift Days: M-F, Shift Time: 1:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Benefits on Day 1
- Health/Rx
- Dental
- Vision
- Flexible and health spending accounts (FSA/HSA)
- Supplemental life insurance
- 401(k)
- Paid time off
- Paid sick time
- Short term & long term disability coverage (STD/LTD)
- Employee stock ownership (ESOP)
- Holiday pay for company designated holidays
At KeHE, we’re obsessed with creating solutions, unboxing potential, and serving others – and it all starts with you. As an employee-owned distributor of natural and organic, specialty, and fresh products, we’re committed to making a positive impact and scaling our success together. With a culture that fosters development and opportunity, you’ll be embarking on a career that’s moving forward. When you join KeHE, you’re becoming part of a team that is a force for good.Primary Responsibilities:As the Warehouse Operations Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing multiple departments within a single distribution center (DC), ensuring that all operations meet or exceed performance targets.
Your leadership will drive operational excellence through a hands-on approach, fostering a high-performance culture, improving efficiency, and ensuring adherence to safety standards. You will lead your teams in achieving optimal performance across the warehouse, focusing on productivity, safety, accuracy, and cleanliness.
Essential Functions:Leading and Developing Team Members- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of warehouse supervisors and associates across multiple shifts, ensuring they have the resources, tools, and training to meet performance goals and succeed in their roles
- Set clear expectations and foster a culture of collaboration, performance excellence, and accountability, inspiring a team mentality and commitment to team goals
- Provide real-time coaching, feedback, and mentorship to develop leadership skills within the team and promote career progression for all associates
- Champion workforce development and retention strategies, ensuring a positive and respectful work environment that motivates associates to continually improve and perform at their best
Safety & Compliance Management- Lead and manage safety programs, ensuring compliance with safety regulations and company policies, and instilling a safety-first mindset across all teams
- Conduct regular safety audits, inspections, and training, actively addressing safety concerns to ensure a zero-injury work environment
- Promote safety and civility, making sure all associates are held accountable for maintaining a safe, clean, and compliant work environment where safety is a top priority for everyone
Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement- Oversee multiple warehouse functions to ensure smooth and efficient operations across all shifts, balancing productivity and operational quality
- Lead and champion LEAN and continuous improvement initiatives across warehouse operations, identifying areas for improvement and implementing solutions to enhance efficiency and reduce waste
- Collaborate with leadership and cross-functional teams to develop and implement long-term strategies that drive operational efficiency, improve throughput, and reduce costs while maintaining a high standard of safety and accuracy
- Encourage feedback and ideas from associates to foster innovation and process improvement, ensuring that the warehouse operations evolve and adapt to meet changing demands
- Set performance goals, monitor KPIs, and work with teams to achieve high standards of safety, productivity, accuracy, and cleanliness
- Associates degree required; additional years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree
- 3-5 years of experience in warehouse operations, with at least 3 years in a leadership role
- Excellent problem solving, communication, and interpersonal skills, with a proven track record of successfully managing & motivating teams and driving operational excellence
- Experience with LEAN or other continuous improvement methodologies
- Strong proficiency with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and other operational software
Preferred Qualifications- Lean Six Sigma certification or similar continuous improvement qualification
- Bachelor’s Degree or higher
Physical RequirementsThe physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential warehouse functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Requisition ID: 2026-30253 Equal Employer Opportunity Statement: KeHE Distributors provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, religion or faith, sex, gender, age, ancestry, national origin, mental or physical disability or medical condition, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other category protected under federal, state, or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training as well as the administration of all Human Resources and Talent Acquisition processes.
Must be able to lift, move, and carry 30-40 pounds repetitively upwards of 1,000 times per day. Must be able to lift, move, and carry larger items up to 75 pounds less frequently. The Warehouse Operations Manager is frequently required to stand, walk, climb and sit at times in the warehouse. While performing the duties of this position, the supervisor is subject to a warehouse environment where temperatures can vary from very cool to very warm. Freezer temperatures: (-20°F) | Refrigerator temperature (25-35°F). The manager is also exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise levels in the warehouse work environment are typically low to moderate.
- Full-time
- Pay Range: $100,000.00/Yr. - $120,000.00/Yr.
- Shift Days: M-F, Shift Time: 1:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Benefits on Day 1
- Health/Rx
- Dental
- Vision
- Flexible and health spending accounts (FSA/HSA)
- Supplemental life insurance
- 401(k)
- Paid time off
- Paid sick time
- Short term & long term disability coverage (STD/LTD)
- Employee stock ownership (ESOP)
- Holiday pay for company designated holidays
At KeHE, we’re obsessed with creating solutions, unboxing potential, and serving others – and it all starts with you. As an employee-owned distributor of natural and organic, specialty, and fresh products, we’re committed to making a positive impact and scaling our success together. With a culture that fosters development and opportunity, you’ll be embarking on a career that’s moving forward. When you join KeHE, you’re becoming part of a team that is a force for good.Primary Responsibilities:As the Warehouse Operations Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing multiple departments within a single distribution center (DC), ensuring that all operations meet or exceed performance targets.
Your leadership will drive operational excellence through a hands-on approach, fostering a high-performance culture, improving efficiency, and ensuring adherence to safety standards. You will lead your teams in achieving optimal performance across the warehouse, focusing on productivity, safety, accuracy, and cleanliness.
Essential Functions:Leading and Developing Team Members- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of warehouse supervisors and associates across multiple shifts, ensuring they have the resources, tools, and training to meet performance goals and succeed in their roles
- Set clear expectations and foster a culture of collaboration, performance excellence, and accountability, inspiring a team mentality and commitment to team goals
- Provide real-time coaching, feedback, and mentorship to develop leadership skills within the team and promote career progression for all associates
- Champion workforce development and retention strategies, ensuring a positive and respectful work environment that motivates associates to continually improve and perform at their best
Safety & Compliance Management- Lead and manage safety programs, ensuring compliance with safety regulations and company policies, and instilling a safety-first mindset across all teams
- Conduct regular safety audits, inspections, and training, actively addressing safety concerns to ensure a zero-injury work environment
- Promote safety and civility, making sure all associates are held accountable for maintaining a safe, clean, and compliant work environment where safety is a top priority for everyone
Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement- Oversee multiple warehouse functions to ensure smooth and efficient operations across all shifts, balancing productivity and operational quality
- Lead and champion LEAN and continuous improvement initiatives across warehouse operations, identifying areas for improvement and implementing solutions to enhance efficiency and reduce waste
- Collaborate with leadership and cross-functional teams to develop and implement long-term strategies that drive operational efficiency, improve throughput, and reduce costs while maintaining a high standard of safety and accuracy
- Encourage feedback and ideas from associates to foster innovation and process improvement, ensuring that the warehouse operations evolve and adapt to meet changing demands
- Set performance goals, monitor KPIs, and work with teams to achieve high standards of safety, productivity, accuracy, and cleanliness
- Associates degree required; additional years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree
- 3-5 years of experience in warehouse operations, with at least 3 years in a leadership role
- Excellent problem solving, communication, and interpersonal skills, with a proven track record of successfully managing & motivating teams and driving operational excellence
- Experience with LEAN or other continuous improvement methodologies
- Strong proficiency with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and other operational software
Preferred Qualifications- Lean Six Sigma certification or similar continuous improvement qualification
- Bachelor’s Degree or higher
Physical RequirementsThe physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential warehouse functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Requisition ID: 2026-30253 Equal Employer Opportunity Statement: KeHE Distributors provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, religion or faith, sex, gender, age, ancestry, national origin, mental or physical disability or medical condition, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other category protected under federal, state, or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training as well as the administration of all Human Resources and Talent Acquisition processes.
Must be able to lift, move, and carry 30-40 pounds repetitively upwards of 1,000 times per day. Must be able to lift, move, and carry larger items up to 75 pounds less frequently. The Warehouse Operations Manager is frequently required to stand, walk, climb and sit at times in the warehouse. While performing the duties of this position, the supervisor is subject to a warehouse environment where temperatures can vary from very cool to very warm. Freezer temperatures: (-20°F) | Refrigerator temperature (25-35°F). The manager is also exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise levels in the warehouse work environment are typically low to moderate.
See All 40 Warehouse Operations Manager Jobs in Illinois
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Find JobsWarehouse Operations Manager Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Warehouse Operations Manager Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Transportation & Logistics
- Technology & Software
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in warehouse operations manager jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in supply chain, logistics, business, or a related field preferred
- Three or more years of supervisory experience in warehouse or distribution operations
- Demonstrated proficiency with warehouse management systems such as SAP or Manhattan
- OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification, or willingness to obtain upon hire
- Experience managing KPIs including order accuracy, labor productivity, and on-time shipping
- Forklift operator certification and familiarity with Illinois workplace safety regulations
Warehouse Operations Manager Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a warehouse operations manager in Illinois?
Most warehouse operations manager roles in Illinois require a combination of a bachelor's degree in supply chain, logistics, or business and several years of progressive warehouse experience. Illinois does not issue a state-specific license for this role, but employers consistently prefer candidates who hold OSHA certification and a recognized supply chain credential such as APICS CPIM or CSCP. Starting in a lead or shift supervisor role at a distribution center in the Chicago metro is the most common path to a management position.
How much do warehouse operations managers make in Illinois?
Warehouse operations managers in Illinois earn a median of about $120,250 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $68,310 for the lowest 10% to over $207,570 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire warehouse operations managers in Illinois?
Employers hiring warehouse operations managers in Illinois right now include TikTok, NFI Industries, and GEODIS, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Illinois's dense network of interstate highways and rail intermodals, particularly around the Chicagoland area, keeps large retailers, third-party logistics providers, and food distributors in continuous need of experienced operations management.
Which Illinois cities have the most warehouse operations manager jobs?
Joliet, Chicago, and Romeoville account for the largest share of warehouse operations manager openings in Illinois. Chicago leads due to its scale as a national logistics hub, while Joliet and Elgin anchor major distribution corridors along I-80 and I-90 respectively, where large fulfillment centers and third-party logistics campuses drive steady hiring volume.
Are there remote warehouse operations manager jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they are rare. Warehouse operations management is fundamentally an on-site role requiring direct oversight of facilities, staff, and physical inventory, so fully remote positions are uncommon. About 0% of warehouse operations manager openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those tend to be senior or multi-site roles where strategic planning and reporting can be handled off-site while a site lead handles floor-level supervision.
How can I get hired as a warehouse operations manager in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is starting as a warehouse associate, material handler, or inventory control specialist at a large Illinois distribution employer and moving into a team lead or shift supervisor role. Companies such as Amazon and U.S. Foods regularly hire entry-level operations associates in the Chicago metro and Joliet corridor and promote from within. Earning an OSHA 10 certification and completing an APICS fundamentals course before applying will give candidates a measurable edge over peers without formal credentials.
Where can I find and apply to warehouse operations manager jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to warehouse operations manager jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings updated regularly. Search for roles in the Chicago metro, Joliet, Elgin, and surrounding distribution corridors, then apply directly to the listings that match your experience and specialization.
See All 40 Warehouse Operations Manager Jobs in Illinois
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