Position Title:  Shipping Department Manager

Shipping Department - Manager - Owensboro, KY

Be a part of a revolutionary change! 

At Philip Morris International (PMI), we’ve chosen to do something incredible. We’re totally transforming our business and building our future on one clear purpose – to deliver a smoke-free future. 

With huge change, comes huge opportunity. So, if you join us, you’ll enjoy the freedom to dream up and deliver better, brighter solutions and the space to move your career forward in endlessly different directions. Our success depends on people who are committed to our purpose and have an appetite for progress.  

Our Shipping Department Manager oversees all shipping operations across all shifts, ensuring safety, quality, productivity, and compliance throughout the finished goods distribution process. The role leads all shift management teams, provides direction for hourly and contract personnel, and serves as a key liaison with the Superintendent, Senior Management, and Union leadership. This position also supports Receiving Department operations when needed, manages departmental activities outside regular work hours, and provides essential coverage for Superintendent duties during their absence.

This position sits with our Swedish Match affiliate.

Your ‘day to day’

Leadership & Safety

• Build, improve, and sustain a world‑class safety culture across all Shipping Department shifts.
• Maintain strong floor presence through walk‑throughs, process audits, and real‑time engagement with employees.
• Ensure contracted personnel follow all factory policies, procedures, and safety expectations.
• Serve as people manager for all shift management teams, providing leadership, coaching, and performance oversight.
• Maintain strong employee relations by promoting adherence to company policies and fostering morale, quality, and safety.

Training & Development

• Ensure training emphasizes safety, work quality, cost effectiveness, and on‑time delivery.
• Oversee performance, training, and disciplinary recommendations for all assigned staff.
• Participate in self‑development programs to enhance capabilities and support future growth.

Operations Management

• Oversee the performance and outcomes of all Shipping Department shifts.
• Optimize labor, materials, and equipment utilization to improve efficiency, productivity, and operating cost.
• Assist shift managers with assigning hourly duties to optimize labor usage.
• Provide coverage of Superintendent duties and Receiving Department management duties as needed.
• Support Superintendent with operational leadership, budgeting, variance analysis, and recommendations for improvement.

Continuous Improvement & Systems

• Lead and participate in ongoing continuous improvement initiatives.
• Evaluate and recommend process changes, new practices, tools, equipment, or staffing adjustments based on business needs.
• Test and validate updates related to WMS (Warehouse Management System) applications and workflows.
• Utilize data to analyze distribution needs and finished goods requirements for order fulfillment planning.

Quality, Compliance & Inventory

• Ensure finished goods comply with all quality standards and specifications.
• Ensure proper procedures for returned goods, hazardous materials handling and disposal, and compliance with TTB regulations.
• Maintain reliable systems for documenting changes in practices, procedures, and inventory management.
• Maintain oversight of finished goods inventory and order fulfillment activities.
• Support compliance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement and maintain awareness of Union relations impacts.
• Responsible for labor relations within assigned shifts, including Step #1 grievance handling and contract administration.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with cross‑functional partners to support factory goals and ensure smooth inter‑departmental workflow.
• Serve as a liaison between the Superintendent, senior management, and the Shipping Department.

Other

• Responsible for the department’s performance outside of personal work schedule as needed.
• Complete additional tasks or projects assigned by the people manager.

Who we’re looking for:

Education

• College degree preferred.

Experience

• 5–7 years of distribution/logistics management experience strongly preferred.
• Proven business success and continuous improvement leadership preferred.
• Six Sigma certification preferred.
• Extensive experience in shipping, receiving, and/or inventory management strongly preferred.
• 2–3 years of experience with automated inventory or warehouse management systems required.

Skills

• High initiative; ability to work independently and self‑direct.
• Strong interpersonal, analytical, decision‑making, and problem‑solving abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong computer proficiency (Microsoft Office required).
• Ability to build rapport across all levels of the organization.

Other Requirements

• Ability to perform effectively under pressure and manage department needs beyond standard working hours.
• Must understand skills and capabilities of subordinate employees.
• Must work effectively with Union leadership and maintain accurate knowledge of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Annual Base Salary Range: $ 104,000 - $130,000

What’s ‘nice to have’

Legally authorized to work in the U.S. (required)

What we offer 

• We offer a competitive base salary, annual bonus (applicable based on level of position), great medical, dental and vision coverage, 401k with a generous company match, incredible wellness benefits, and much more! 

• Seize the freedom to define your future and ours. We’ll empower you to take risks, experiment and explore. 

• Be part of an inclusive, diverse culture where everyone’s contribution is respected; Collaborate with some of the world’s best people and feel like you belong. 

• Pursue your ambitions and develop your skills with a global business – our staggering size and scale provides endless opportunities to progress. 

• Take pride in delivering our promise to society: To improve the lives of millions of smokers. 

PMI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.   

PMI is headquartered in Stamford, Conn., and its U.S. affiliates have more than 3,000 employees.    

PMI has been an entirely separate company from Altria and Philip Morris USA since 2008. PMI’s affiliates first entered the U.S. market following the company’s acquisition of Swedish Match in late 2022. Philip Morris International and its U.S. affiliates are working to deliver a smoke-free future. Since 2008, PMI has invested $12.5 billion globally to develop, scientifically substantiate and commercialize innovative smoke-free products for adults who would otherwise continue to smoke with the goal of transitioning legal-age consumers who smoke to better alternatives. In 2022, PMI acquired Swedish Match – a leader in oral nicotine delivery – creating a global smoke-free champion led by the IQOS and ZYN brands. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized versions of PMI’s IQOS electronically heated tobacco devices and Swedish Match’s General snus as Modified Risk Tobacco Products and renewal applications for these products are presently pending before the FDA. For more information, please visit www.pmi.com/us and www.pmiscience.com.  

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