Wave Planner

The Wave Planner is responsible for sequencing and releasing customer and internal replenishment orders into efficient “waves” to support UniFirst’s high-volume distribution operation. This role ensures orders are prioritized to meet carrier cut-off times and customer service commitments while maximizing labor, equipment, and space utilization. The Wave Planner is a key partner in Owensboro’s initiatives, balancing staffing levels, temporary workforce inputs, and business needs.

Responsibilities:

• Analyze daily order pool data in the Warehouse Management System (WMS) to determine optimal wave groupings based on shipping method, carrier cutoff times, and customer priority.
• Coordinate with Inventory Control to resolve product shortages prior to wave release.
• Balance workload across picking zones and shifts to maximize throughput and reduce bottlenecks, factoring in UKG staffing templates and FCE skill levels.
• Create, schedule, and release waves using the new WMS platform, ensuring accuracy of cartonization logic, route codes, and pick path optimization.
• Monitor real-time dashboards for wave progress and proactively escalate issues that could impact on-time shipment.
• Generate daily operational reports for Operations, HR, and Payroll (e.g., order status, wave completion, labor utilization).
• Communicate wave schedules to department Supervisors, Team Leads, and Shipping/Receiving staff.
• Adjust plans to accommodate rush orders, equipment downtime, staffing fluctuations, or temporary labor additions (including 323 and ISS agencies).
• Monitor and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to ensure on-time shipment targets are consistently achieved.
• Provide daily and weekly KPI performance reports to leadership, highlighting trends, variances, and areas requiring corrective action
• Support testing and end-user training initiatives, including participation in Warehouse Management System (WMS) upgrades and certification of functional end users to ensure operational readiness.

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• 2+ years of experience in a distribution, warehouse, or logistics planning role; WMS experience strongly preferred (Manhattan or similar)
• Prior experience in a high-volume apparel or industrial supply environment is a plus
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with keen attention to detail
• Proficiency in WMS platforms and MS Excel/Office; ability to learn UniFirst’s new WMS quickly
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills across Operations, HR, and temporary staffing partners
• Ability to perform in a fast-paced environment with frequent priority changes

Benefits & Perks:

401K with Company Match, Profit Sharing, Health Insurance, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Paid Time Off, Tuition Reimbursement, 30% Employee Discount, Employee Referral Bonuses.

UniFirst is an international leader in garment & Uniform services industry. We currently employ over 14,000 team partners who serve 300,000 business customer locations throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe.

We were included in the top 10 of Selling Power magazine’s “Best Companies to Sell For” list and recognized on Forbes magazine’s “Platinum 400 – Best Big Companies” list. As an 80-year old company focused on annual growth, there’s never been a better time to join our team. 

UniFirst is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in hiring or employment against any individual on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ancestry, religion, physical or mental disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, citizenship, or any other factor protected by anti-discrimination laws