As an aspiring or lucky warehouse manager who is probably stranded and is in need of knowing the exact roles he or she should be playing in his or her new organization, asking to understand what and what are the duties of warehouse manager may not seem a bad question after all.
This article will be focusing on enlightening you more on the nitty-gritty of the duties, responsibilities and roles of the warehouse manager. Anyone occupying this position is expected to be someone with a very fast thinking abilities and potentials that will keep his supervision role above board.
Meaning of a Warehouse Manager
A warehouse is a building for storing goods. Warehouses are used by manufacturers, importers, exporters, wholesalers, transport businesses, customs, etc.
Practically, a warehouse Manager oversees operations at a warehouse or storage facility to ensure that all incoming and outgoing inventory is processed according to schedule. This skilled multitasker will manage the receiving, handling, storing, picking, and packing activities of the warehouse, ensuring that quality standards are met or exceeded.
The warehouse manager must achieve inventory accuracy, coordinate order fulfillment, and track shipping times for millions of product orders every year. The ideal candidate is exceptionally detail-oriented and able to manage multiple facets of warehouse operations simultaneously.
General Overview of the Importance of the Office of the Warehouse Manager
Warehouse managers lead their team by setting productivity goals, placing inventory orders, setting up logical organization systems and creating communication systems within the warehouse.
They direct shipments and resolve logistical challenges by communicating with clients, transportation providers, manufacturers and suppliers. Warehouse managers determine standards for quality control and inspect inventory and packaging before sending orders to the next location.
They strategize about inventory volumes and warehouse capacity to maximize productivity, rearranging containers for improved efficiency while allowing warehouse workers to easily navigate between aisles. Warehouse managers track the supply chain to dispatch employees according to the company timeline.
Basic Objectives of the Warehouse Manager Role
- Ensure that the warehouse operates at peak efficiency — with customer satisfaction the primary goal — by supervising, organizing, and training warehouse employees and establishing, monitoring, and managing operational goals
- Develop warehouse operations systems by determining product handling and storage requirements, equipment utilization, inventory, gate processes, and shipping methods
- Train and manage the warehouse team to solve day-to-day operational issues and reach short- and long-term performance goals
- Oversee daily operations while controlling and managing inventory and logistics
- Review and prepare workflows, staffing requirements, space allocations, equipment layouts, and action plans that meet company standards for productivity, quality, and customer service
- Maintain a safe and healthy work environment by establishing and enforcing standards and procedures and by complying with legal regulations
Responsibilities of the Warehouse Manager
- Supervise daily warehouse activities, including quality assurance, inventory control, space management, logistics, floor productivity, shipping, and customer service
- Schedule and oversee warehouse team, and manage the flow and quality of work to maximize efficiency and minimize overtime
- Inspect equipment, tools, and machinery regularly, and oversee general maintenance when necessary
- Meet regularly with warehouse leads to analyze productivity and develop actionable plans for loss prevention
- Oversee and manage logistics for transporting products to customers and company facilities, communicating with drivers and air partners to ensure efficient delivery of packages
Required Experience from a Warehouse Manager
As a managerial role, candidates are likely to have previous experience working in a warehouse, typically in the same industry in which they’re applying:
- He or She must have begun as a warehouse associate and then work their way up to a management position
- Training underneath a more experienced warehouse manager. Some warehouse managers may come to the position with previous experience in management in another, related industry.
Average Skills and Qualifications of a Warehouse Manager
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Familiarity with bookkeeping, inventory control practices and logistics
- Three or more years of experience in a warehouse role managing hourly employees
- Proficiency with warehouse procedures and policies
- Excellent problem-solving skills and leadership qualities
- Ability to work collaboratively with all levels of company staff
- Comfortable using inventory management software and other organizational computer applications
- Physical strength, stamina and the ability to walk or stand for long periods of time
- Ability to deliver effective feedback, both written and verbal
- Excellent abilities to set goals, motivate and manage conflict
- Effective communication skills, including writing, speaking and active listening
- Great interpersonal skills
- Exceptional time management and organization skills
- In-depth understanding of industry and company best practices for the warehouse
