Warehouse manager

Warehouse manager job description: Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills | Useful links | Find jobs and courses

Typical responsibilities of the job include:

• processing orders
• operating mechanical and IT systems
• liaising with customers and other departments
• training, supervising and appraising staff
• maintaining statistical and financial records
• planning
• ensuring that quality objectives and delivery deadlines are met
• managing budgets
• administering stock control
• ensuring compliance with health and safety legislation.

There are many similarities with the work of logistics and distribution managers.

Typical employers of warehouse managers

• specialist logistics, distribution and haulage companies
• consultancies
• manufacturers
• the armed forces
• major commercial organisations
• retailers.

Vacancies are advertised by careers services and recruitment agencies and in national newspapers and specialist publications such as Logistics and Transport Focus. Early applications are advisable for logistic and distribution training scheme vacancies - especially for those with major employers. General warehouse work within smaller organisations may ultimately lead to managerial positions.

Qualifications and training required

Although any degree discipline is acceptable for entry into the profession, employers may prefer graduates with a qualification in distribution, logistics, transportation, management, business studies or retail management. Relevant experience can be useful, particularly any teamwork experience.

Key skills for warehouse managers

• good teamwork
• managerial skills
• interpersonal skills
• verbal and written communication skills
• logical reasoning
• numerical skills
• technical skills
• IT skills.