Are you thinking about transitioning into a career in warehouse management? Or you may already work as a warehouse manager and want to make sure you have the right skills for a successful career. Either way, knowing which are the top skills of a warehouse manager is essential as it sets top performers apart from those just getting by.
A warehouse manager is responsible for overseeing warehouse operations, ensuring the safety of warehouse personnel, and efficient warehouse functioning. Warehouse managers must have a combination of hard and soft skills and extensive warehouse management experience. This article will cover the top warehouse manager skills needed for success. Keep on reading!
In this Article:
Qualifications and training required
While holding a degree in logistics, supply chain management, or warehouse management is beneficial, experience and knowledge in warehouse operations can be just as valuable to prospective warehouse managers. A foundation degree at the minimum is a must for warehouse managers, and many hold advanced degrees or certifications.
Furthermore, warehouse manager training courses are available to help warehouse managers understand warehouse operations and best practices. These courses cover warehouse safety, layout, logistics management, inventory control, and warehouse management systems.
If you want to become a warehouse manager, having an undergraduate degree may give you the edge over other applicants. Plus, many logistics-specific graduate programs offered by companies like Royal Mail and DHL can provide the necessary experience in managing warehouses – they are more than just reserved for those with degrees related to business or logistics. Moreover, these opportunities are available across all degree subjects so don’t let that discourage your chances of success.
What are the key skills of a warehouse manager?
Soft skills
It’s good to have an excellent employee who has excellent soft skills. This includes communicating, making decisions, and detail. Let’s analyze why each skill is so essential.
Exceptional customer service skills
Warehouse managers are the true face of bulk warehouse operations. They must be able to handle customer inquiries and complaints with professionalism and provide exceptional customer service. To do this, warehouse managers must have excellent communication and problem-solving skills to provide customers with the best possible solutions.
Outstanding leadership skills
Warehouse managers must possess outstanding leadership skills. They should be able to lead warehouse workers effectively, provide feedback in a timely and professional fashion, and coach employees on how to handle warehouse operations. Additionally, warehouse managers should develop an effective team by motivating warehouse personnel and fostering a safe work environment.
Critical thinking
Warehouse management requires workers to be comfortable with making decisions quickly. They must be able to anticipate problems and come up with effective and efficient solutions. Furthermore, warehouse managers must be able to think critically and creatively to solve complex problems. Therefore, warehouse managers must have strong problem-solving skills, multitasking, and strong communication skills to manage warehouse operations effectively.
Decision-making skills
Your candidates should have the capability to manage their resources effectively. To do this, warehouse managers must have solid decision-making skills. This means being able to assess the warehouse environment and personnel in order to come up with the most efficient warehouse management strategies. Hence, warehouse managers must have a well-rounded knowledge of warehouse operations and be able to use this knowledge in the warehouse setting.
Communication skills
The ability to communicate is crucial in effectively managing teams. Warehouse managers must be able to explain warehouse operations meticulously, provide instructions clearly, and lead warehouse workers in the warehouse environment. Furthermore, warehouse managers must understand how to communicate effectively with warehouse personnel, other departments, and customers to ensure a safe warehouse environment.
Technical skills
Warehouse managers must have a good understanding of warehouse operations and warehouse management systems.
A good understanding of the industry’s leading software systems
Modern operations have no choice but to build their digital infrastructure on the cutting edge of technology. Warehouse managers, in particular, are greatly aided by Warehouse Management Software Systems (WMSs). It is paramount for those holding management positions to be conversant with both WMSs and more comprehensive systems such as WESs so that they can quickly deploy them and make sure everything runs optimally.
Ability to research and invest in automation
To compete with the massive e-commerce giants, warehouses must invest in automation. Thankfully, picking-related automation is easy to integrate and relatively inexpensive– making it an ideal solution for any warehouse manager that keeps up with current technology trends. By having a well-informed understanding of both established and emerging technologies, they will have a great foundation from which they can start automating their processes.
A keen understanding of the importance of warehouse layout
Crafting the design of a warehouse plays an integral role in its success. Although a manager may be experienced in this art, they must also be able to alter it as needed for unforeseen circumstances. A well-constructed layout shouldn’t only incorporate all physical parts and have enough flexibility to facilitate changes when necessary due to seasonal or other disruptions. After all, creating and running a successful warehouse doesn’t stop with installation – it requires continual consideration and optimization of resources. Once a warehouse manager has mastered warehouse layout and design, they can ensure the warehouse is running at its fullest capacity.
A head for safety and first aid
Warehouse managers must be vigilant in ensuring warehouse safety standards are met. In particular, they must ensure warehouse workers have the right protective gear and that dangerous materials stick to both the legal and common sense guidelines attached to warehouse safety. Bonus point, a good warehouse manager has comprehensive first aid training in case a harmful situation occurs.
An ability to emphasize associate training
With the demand for products rapidly growing, companies must now find creative ways to keep their shifts staffed. Thankfully, with platforms like Wonolo and other on-demand hiring services, it has become simpler than ever before to secure top-notch assistance when required the most. Nevertheless, even highly competent warehouse associates need effective instruction to work efficiently in a specific warehouse. As such, all associates must be provided with accurate instructions by the Warehouse Manager – making sure everyone remains productive and safe whilst working there. Frequently, these professionals carry a wealth of related experience to the table; yet, without clear objectives and procedures shared before they start their workday, those talented staff members cannot reach their maximum potential.
Warehouse management systems proficiency
Warehouse Managers must also be comfortable working with warehouse management systems. These software platforms are commonly used to track inventory, create layouts, and monitor personnel. To be successful in this position they must have a comprehensive knowledge of the systems available to warehouse managers and be able to manage the warehouse environment efficiently.
How to use warehouse manager skills on your resume
Your warehouse manager’s resume must showcase your management skills and highlight your experience. This includes warehouse operations, technology, inventory control, safety procedures, shipping and receiving, and warehouse team building and leadership.
Here is an example;
Experienced warehouse manager with 10+ years of warehouse management experience. Proven track record in warehouse operations, warehouse technology, and warehouse personnel management. Skilled in warehouse safety regulations, warehouse operations, and warehouse processes. Expertise in warehouse shipping and receiving, inventory control, and warehouse team building. Exceptional customer service, communication, and leadership skills.
Warehouse Manager responsibilities include
Customer Service
Customer service experience enables Warehouse Managers to:
- Oversee the daily operations of a 6-person team involving customer service, product ordering, and delivery.
- Ensure quality standards are met in order to promote client satisfaction.
- Offer exceptional customer care while operating forklifts and machinery needed for warehouse success.
Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Logistics management, warehouse management, and supply chain management are essential to warehouse manager skills. This knowledge enables warehouse managers to:
- Implement warehouse management systems such as WMS, TMS, and inventory control systems.
- Develop effective warehouse layouts to maximize warehouse productivity.
- Coordinate with external transport companies to ensure smooth warehouse operations and timely delivery of warehouse products.
- Monitor supply chain performance and identify areas for process improvements.
- Work collaboratively with warehouse personnel, customers, and other departments to ensure customer satisfaction.
Inventory Control
Warehouse managers should be experts in:
- Establishing warehouse inventory goals and objectives.
- Ensuring accurate warehouse inventory tracking, storage, and shipping records.
- Utilizing warehouse technology such as warehouse management systems to manage warehouse inventory.
- Developing strategies to ensure cost-effective warehouse operations and warehouse personnel safety.
Safety Regulations
Warehouse managers should consider having a safe working environment a priority. To ensure warehouse safety they need to:
- Implement warehouse safety protocols and procedures for warehouse personnel to follow.
- Develop warehouse safety training programs for warehouse workers.
- Maintain warehouse safety compliance records.
- Monitor warehouse safety performance and identify areas for improvement.
- Oversee warehouse safety inspections, audits, and evaluations.
- Report warehouse safety issues to warehouse management in a timely manner.
Shipping Receiving
Any warehouse manager should have extensive warehouse shipping and receiving experience. This includes:
- Creating efficient warehouse shipping and receiving procedures to ensure warehouse accuracy.
- Training warehouse personnel in warehouse shipping and receiving.
- Managing warehouse shipping schedules to meet customer needs.
- Operating warehouse machinery to ensure warehouse accuracy and timely delivery of warehouse products.
- Developing warehouse shipping reports to track warehouse performance.
- Overseeing warehouse personnel to ensure warehouse shipping accuracy.
- Resolving warehouse shipping discrepancies in a timely manner.
Team Building and Leadership
Warehouse managers should have experience in warehouse team building and leadership. This includes:
- Leading warehouse personnel through a variety of warehouse tasks.
- Coaching warehouse personnel on warehouse safety procedures, warehouse operations, and warehouse processes.
- Motivating warehouse personnel to complete projects on time and within budget.
- Building warehouse teams and creating a positive warehouse environment.
- Training warehouse personnel in team building strategies, conflict resolution, and communication skills.
- Developing warehouse personnel into team leaders and providing ongoing support.
A word from SublimePeople
As you can see, a warehouse manager must wear many hats and be able to handle a variety of tasks simultaneously. They must also be proficient in several areas, including safety, organization, and communication. These are just a few of the skills that a successful warehouse manager needs to possess. Do you have what it takes to be a successful warehouse manager?
You might also be interested in 14 Reasons to Pursue a Career in Logistics and its Career Goals
