Warehouse manager : Job description

Warehouse managers are a vital part of the supply chain process. They oversee the efficient receipt, storage and dispatch of a wide range of goods including food, clothing, healthcare products, manufacturing parts and household items.

To achieve this, they manage people, processes and systems. They ensure productivity targets are met and maintain computerised administration and automated storage and retrieval systems. They ensure workplace health and safety requirements are met and take responsibility for the security of the building and stock.

In a large operation, they manage teams of workers and deal with personnel issues such as the recruitment, training and discipline of staff. Some managers also oversee picking, packing and distribution activity.

Typical work activities

Work activities depend on the size of the operation.

• In large storage operations, managers have a more strategic role and deal with planning, administration and general management issues, which include the day-to-day supervision of staff and overseeing work organised by team leaders (who then report to the manager).
• In a small operation, a manager does more practical, ‘hands-on’ work.

Typical work activities include:

• liaising with customers, suppliers and transport companies;
• planning and monitoring the storage, delivery and dispatch of orders;
• overseeing stock control and processing orders;
• ensuring quality, delivery budget and environmental objectives are met;
• fulfilling objectives and directions from the operation's headquarters;
• coordinating the use of automated and computerised systems;
• responding to and dealing with customer communication by email, fax and telephone;
• keeping stock control systems up to date;
• planning future capacity requirements;
• organising the recruitment and training of staff, as well as monitoring staff performance and progress;
• motivating, organising and encouraging teamwork within the workforce to ensure set productivity targets are met;
• producing regular reports and statistics on a daily, weekly and monthly basis;
• briefing team leaders on a daily basis;
• visiting customers to monitor the quality of service they are receiving;
• maintaining standards of health and safety, hygiene and security in the work environment, for example, ensuring that stock such as chemicals and food are stored safely;
• overseeing the planned maintenance of vehicles, machinery and equipment.