If you have excellent communication and management skills, are very organized, and have exceptional leadership qualities, a warehouse manager might be the perfect fit for you.
A warehouse manager is responsible for running a warehouse. They oversee all shipping and receiving activities and inventory, manage warehouse staff, and ensure compliance with all safety measures. These individuals must be good at managing people and should have a keen understanding of warehousing and its logistics. Warehouse managers need the ability to multitask and must have solid organizational skills.
As a manager, you will train new employees as well as handle the security, maintenance, and administrative functions of the warehouse. You’ll enforce policies and procedures and ensure all warehouse equipment is operational and meets safety standards. Warehouse managers need to have a high level of attention to detail, as they must also document warehouse activities and keep records of the goods coming in and out. Proficiency in using computers and strong problem-solving abilities are also necessary skills to succeed as a warehouse manager.
Sample job description
A warehouse manager is needed for urgent hire at [Your Company Name]. As a manager, your responsibilities will largely vary. First and foremost, you must uphold your company standards in every aspect of the warehouse, attempting to achieve and help the completion of their vision. The layout of the warehouse may be upon your decision, so you will need to analyze this space in an attempt to create simpler, more efficient systems. Whether it be the company or legal standards, you must ensure that policies and procedures put in the warehouse are fulfilled. If there is a legal procedure/policy that outperforms the ones prior, you must immediately install them, as well as search for new ones. While it may be difficult working in a warehouse, you will be responsible for protecting and ensuring the health, hygiene, safety, and security of the warehouse. This not only applies to employees you oversee but the machinery as well. Inputting data for tax reasons and accounting is also an essential part of the job. Your company will most likely provide a budget, and it will be your responsibility to work within it to guarantee that deadlines and tasks are completed without overspending. To successfully fulfill this role, you must speak with and handle clients, suppliers, and/or transport companies. As the overseer of the employees, it will be your duty to assign tasks while also encouraging them. If you’re interested, apply today!
Typical duties and responsibilities
- Oversee warehouse and shipping department
- Ensure accurate inventory tracking and accounting
- Manage the efficient flow of products and materials through a warehouse environment
- Recruit, train, and coach warehouse staff
- Create warehouse metrics reports as needed
- Follow all applicable safety standards
Education and experience
- Bachelor’s degree in business management, logistics, or other related fields required
Required skills and qualifications
- Organizational and communication skills
- Aptitude for counting and inventory management
- Managerial and business expertise
- Excellent leadership skills
Preferred qualifications
- Experience in warehouse management procedures and best practices
- Proven ability to implement process improvement initiatives
- Hands-on experience with warehouse management software and databases
- Leadership skills and ability to manage staff
Typical work environment
Because you are an essential role in the warehouse, you will most likely have slightly longer hours than the other employees in the warehouse. As a warehouse manager, you can expect to spend extended periods of time working in an office setting dealing with reports, data, recruitment, etc., and the rest of your time spent on the floor with the others. While some warehouse managers may work outdoors, the vast majority of jobs in this role will be indoors. Depending on the warehouse, air conditions may vary from cold to hot, dusty to humid, etc. Large portions of your time may take place on the phone, as talking with clients, suppliers, and transportation companies are inevitable. You may be prone to distracting noises, as most warehouses rely on heavy equipment for operation.
Typical hours
The typical work hours for a warehouse manager are from 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday, in a warehouse setting. With materials often shipping around the clock, overtime or weekend hours may be necessary.
Available certifications
A warehouse manager may benefit from certificates in both the managerial and safety fields. Because of this, here are two common certifications to benefit those in this role:
- OSHA Safety Certificate – Because of the field of work, this certificate will be impressive to employers, if they don’t already require it. The OSHA Safety certification shows you have an understanding of safety, which is a top priority while working in warehouses.
- CSS – The Certified Security Supervision and Management exam allows you to flaunt your proven management skills. Obtaining this certification will reassure your boss that they are receiving the quality they are paying for. This certificate requires two years of experience, guaranteeing only the best will acquire it.
Career path
This position requires a bachelor’s degree in business management, logistics, or other related fields. Fairly often, a candidate needs several years of experience before being considered for a management position in this field. Also, earning certifications like Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) can help boost advancement opportunities.
US, Bureau of Labor Statistics’ job outlook
SOC Code: 11-3051
| 2020 Employment | 189,300 |
| Projected Employment in 2030 | 199,300 |
| Projected 2020-2030 Percentage Shift | 5% increase |
| Projected 2020-2030 Numeric Shift | 10,000 increase |
Position trends
The increased use of technology means fewer warehouse and logistics workers are needed. Examples of this new technology include radio frequency identification (RFID) tags and hand-held devices that read barcodes automatically. That being said, the need for effective warehousing and logistics remains, as does the need for qualified professionals to manage those areas.