Picking Lead

Position Summary

The Picking Lead provides day-to-day floor leadership for Detroit Axle's Ontario picking operation. The role assigns zones and workloads, coordinates with the Order Wave Release Lead and replenishment functions, monitors scanning and picking accuracy, addresses exceptions, and ensures orders move safely and efficiently to packing and shipping.

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.

Picking Operations

· Lead daily picking activities and assign zones, employees, and workloads based on released orders, staffing, replenishment status, order priority, and shipping deadlines.

· Coordinate continuously with the Order Wave Release Lead so released work matches picking capacity and priority orders are handled appropriately.

· Ensure employees pick product and location and that inventory movements are recorded accurately in Deposco or other Detroit Axle-designated systems.

· Monitor zone completion, productivity, accuracy, short picks, and aging work throughout the shift; rebalance employees as conditions change.

· Coordinate replenishment with Inventory Control/Receiving and promptly escalate empty pick faces, location discrepancies, missing inventory, or system quantity issues.

· Ensure picked products, quantities, and visible condition are verified before orders move to packing/staging; segregate questionable or damaged product.

· Investigate picking errors, wrong parts, quantity errors, location issues, repeated short picks, and workflow delays; document root causes and corrective actions.

· Ensure incomplete orders, backlogs, urgent orders, and exceptions are clearly identified and communicated through resolution.

Employee Leadership & Shift Control

· Conduct shift start-up communication covering safety, staffing, zone assignments, priorities, backlog, equipment status, and performance expectations.

· Train and coach employees on picking methods, scanning, product identification, safe material handling, equipment restrictions, quality requirements, and Company procedures.

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

· Provide clear shift handoff information to the Warehouse Supervisor and incoming lead, including incomplete zones, urgent work, inventory issues, safety concerns, and equipment/system problems.

· Maintain 5S standards, clear aisles and pedestrian routes, orderly carts/pallets, and safe product stacking within the picking areas.

Documentation & Continuous Improvement

· Maintain required picking reports, exception records, training records, photographs/checklists when applicable, and supporting documentation in Detroit Axle-designated systems or SharePoint.

· Review recurring errors and delays and recommend practical improvements to zone layout, replenishment, scanning, product location, work assignment, and employee methods.

· Work with the Warehouse Supervisor and other department leads to implement approved process changes and monitor results.

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

· Picking accuracy target: at least 99.7%.

· Zone completion target: at least 95% of assigned picking work within established timeframes.

· Required product/location scanning compliance.

· Timely escalation and resolution of short picks, inventory/location discrepancies, and replenishment delays.

· Safety, housekeeping, and 5S compliance.

· Performance targets must be pursued using safe work practices and assessed with consideration for approved accommodations, equipment availability, and operational conditions.

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 picking, replenishment, inventory handling, and order fulfillment.

Preferred Qualifications

· Automotive parts distribution experience.

· Experience with Deposco or a comparable WMS.

· Experience with zone-based picking, high-volume e-commerce fulfillment, and 5S.

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