Job Overview
The Wave Planner serves as the operational control tower for the Distribution Center and is responsible for managing the flow of work across all operational shifts. This role oversees the release and prioritization of customer orders, manages workflow across Inbound, Pick, Pack, and Shipping, and ensures orders move efficiently from receipt to shipment. The Wave Planner partners closely with Customer Service and Operations leadership to balance workload, maintain FIFO compliance, optimize labor utilization, and drive on-time customer service performance.
As part of this role, the Wave Planner provides support across first, second, and weekend shift operations to ensure a consistent and effective flow of work throughout the facility. Due to the broader scope of responsibility, operational decision-making, and support requirements across multiple shifts, this position is classified as salaried.
While the regular work schedule will align with normal business hours, there may be occasions when business needs require work outside of standard hours, including evenings and weekends. Examples may include month-end activities, quarter-end activities, critical customer service requirements, system issues, inventory events, or operational recovery efforts. Additional time worked will be compensated in accordance with company policy.
A Day In The Life
Start the Day with the Plan
- Review incoming order volume, customer priorities, backlog, and inventory availability.
- Develop the daily wave strategy based on service requirements, operational capacity, and carrier commitments.
- Partner with supervisors and Customer Service to align on priorities and potential risks.
- Review performance from previous shifts and communicate priorities across first, second, and weekend operations.
Control the Flow
- Release and sequence customer orders into the operation throughout the day.
- Monitor order progression from release through picking, packing, and shipping.
- Ensure work is flowing efficiently between Inbound, Pick, Pack, and Shipping.
- Quickly identify and resolve bottlenecks before they impact customer service.
- Coordinate workflow adjustments across shifts to maintain service levels and operational balance.
Manage Labor & Capacity
- Conduct regular pulse checks on department performance and workload.
- Determine when labor resources need to be reallocated to support operational priorities.
- Coordinate labor movement between departments to keep the facility balanced and productive.
- Escalate capacity concerns and recovery plans to leadership when needed.
- Support labor planning decisions that impact multiple shifts and weekend operations.
Drive FIFO Compliance
- Monitor order aging and ensure customer orders are processed in First-In, First-Out (FIFO) sequence.
- Validate that priority changes are aligned with business requirements.
- Ensure any exceptions to FIFO receive approval from the DC Manager or Director.
Communicate Performance
- Generate and distribute hourly operational reports.
- Provide visibility to leadership on order status, backlog, productivity, labor allocation, and service risks.
- Communicate changes in priorities, staffing needs, and recovery actions throughout the day.
- Partner with leaders across all shifts to ensure continuity of execution and communication.
Improve the Operation
- Analyze trends impacting flow, productivity, and service performance.
- Identify opportunities to improve wave planning, labor utilization, and overall throughput.
- Recommend process improvements that support customer service and operational efficiency.
- Assist in developing standardized processes that improve coordination across shifts and departments.
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What will help you thrive in this role?
- Five (5) years of experience in a high-volume warehouse or distribution environment required.
- Three (3) years of progressive experience with increasing operational responsibilities.
- Strong working knowledge of SAP and Warehouse Management Systems (WMS).
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
- Ability to effectively prioritize work and make operational decisions in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to collaborate across multiple departments and shifts.
- Flexibility to support business needs that may occasionally require work outside regular business hours, including evenings and weekends.
- Willingness to embrace Hubbell Values and Behaviors.
- Contribute to the team effort by accomplishing related results and participating in projects as needed.
- Ability to perform work for a maximum of nine hours per day.
- Ability to routinely walk throughout the distribution center and observe operational activities.
- Ability to sit, stand, and use a computer workstation for extended periods.
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Hubbell Incorporated
Hubbell creates critical infrastructure solutions that power our customers, communities, people and the planet. Our company is strategically aligned around enabling grid modernization and electrification. As more products plug in to an aging grid, Hubbell solutions enable the transition to a more reliable, resilient and efficient energy infrastructure. Founded in 1888 our innovation has made us a leading global manufacturer of high quality electrical and utility solutions enabling customers to operate critical infrastructure reliably and efficiently.
The company operates in two segments. Hubbell Utility Solutions (HUS) enable the grid to conduct, communicate and control energy across utility applications and Hubbell Electrical Solutions (HES) are essential to managing power across a wide range of industries and applications. Our vertical market solutions can be applied to markets including Data Centers, Renewables, Commercial Buildings, Industrial, Telecom and Transportation. Supporting both of our business segments is our corporate and Hubbell Unified Business Solutions teams that provide consistent process, tools technologies across our businesses.
We are committed to operating sustainably and ethically while promoting an inclusive and supportive culture for our people to grow and develop in their careers. Our employees proudly work and serve our communities from our headquarters in Shelton, CT, across the United States and around the globe.
Hubbell Electrical Solutions
Hubbell Electrical Solutions (HES) are essential to managing power across a wide range of industries and applications. HES provides the critical components that allow operators of buildings, factories and other industrial infrastructure to connect, protect, wire and manage power.
Hubbell Incorporated, its subsidiaries and affiliates, is an EO Employer AA: M/F/Veteran/Disability. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other protected class.
The above summary of position responsibilities and requirements is not intended, and should not be construed, to be an exhaustive list of duties, skills, efforts, physical requirements, or working conditions associated with the position. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of those principal position elements essential for making decisions related to position performance, employee development, and compensation.
