Stephen Smith

Accomplished warehouse & operations professional with over 25 years of experience in inventory management, fleet safety and team leadership. Certified forklift trainer with a proven track record of reducing labor costs (8%) and ensuring 100% USDA safety compliance. Expert in streamlining logistics, optimizing storage par levels and fostering a culture of safety and high productivity.

Routing Manager / Forklift Operator - Primo Brands (Formerly Nestlé Waters N.A.) - Lakewood, NJ

(2019-01)

• Manage real-time inventory adjustments to support changing sales demands and warehouse needs.
• Streamline delivery schedules for a fleet of 32 trucks by reducing redundant runs, improving efficiency and customer service.
• Lead pre-shift huddles to ensure consistent communication, safety protocols, and daily order overviews.
• Prioritize service routes to maximize delivery staff productivity while enhancing overall service quality.

Facilities & Fleet Manager / Inventory & Purchasing Manager - Watchung Spring Water - Lakewood, NJ

(2001-01 - 2018-12)

• Instituted staggered driver arrival times, eliminating 2 hours of daily downtime and reducing labor costs by 8%.
• Established a preventative maintenance (PM) program for trucks and forklifts; negotiated cost-effective vendor contracts.
• Developed efficient forecasting methods by collaborating with sales and finance teams to align inventory with consumer trends.
• Implemented daily priority lists for warehouse departments to synchronize workflow and eliminate scheduling confusion.
• Improved weekly and monthly inventory counts, significantly reducing product shortages and overages.

Operations & Warehouse Manager / Distribution & Routing Supervisor - Aqua Cool, Inc. - Union, NJ

(1999-01 - 2001-12)

• Applied "leadership by example" to increase productivity, profitability, and team morale.
• Conducted weekly warehouse and equipment safety reviews to ensure compliance and accident prevention.
• Reviewed and optimized warehouse storage par levels, reducing back orders and improving fulfillment.

Distribution, Inventory & Production Supervisor - Magnolia Beef Company - Elizabeth, NJ

(1989-01 - 1999-12)

• Developed and implemented a sanitation removal system that enabled the plant to meet 100% of USDA requirements.
• Cross-trained employees across multiple departments, improving workforce flexibility and employee confidence.
• Supervised high-volume distribution and inventory accuracy within a fast-paced production environment.

BFA - 3-Dimensional Design - University of South Florida