Warehouse Manager

Also known as:

Store/Warehouse Manager

Introduction

Warehouse managers are responsible for the day-to-day running of warehouses. They organise the scheduling of deliveries, record goods arriving and leaving, and arrange the effective storage of goods within the warehouse.

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Work Activities

Warehouse managers are responsible for the day-to-day running of warehouses. They organise the scheduling of deliveries to and from the warehouse and keep a record of goods that arrive and leave. They also organise the efficient storage of goods within the warehouse and the retrieval of goods ordered by customers or other departments.

In the stacking and storage of goods, managers have to make sure that any special requirements are met. For example, some goods are particularly fragile, others need to be maintained at certain temperatures, some are hazardous and others must be rotated in date order.

Managers have to ensure that warehouse space and equipment such as shelves, pallets, trolleys and fork-lift trucks are used and stored as efficiently as possible. They also organise repair and maintenance work, ensuring that it causes as little disruption as possible to the work of the warehouse.

Managers are responsible for the recruitment, supervision and training of all grades of warehouse staff. In some warehouses, managers may need to participate in activities such as loading and unloading lorries and signing delivery notes. However, some managers are responsible for very large warehouse departments or several warehouses, and rarely become involved in routine tasks.

Managers make sure that staff follow set procedures for safety and security in their warehouses, and that they are familiar with the fire precautions covering buildings and the goods in store.

The nature of warehouse work has become increasingly sophisticated and technical, and managers use computer systems for stock control and the location of goods.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

You must have good communication skills and be able to give clear instructions. You must be be able to motivate staff to work precisely and consistently. You need a cheerful, firm and confident manner.

You need to be able to work within agreed budgets and to plan and prioritise work. You must be good at figure, telephone and paperwork and be able to use computer systems. You must also be able to remain calm under pressure.

Managers need to understand the policies and priorities of their company. They also need to be able to understand and adhere to relevant government and European Union (EU) regulations.

Warehouse managers involved in routine tasks need to be physically fit.

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Pay and Opportunities

Salaries for warehouse managers vary depending on the size and location of the operation.

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Warehouse managers earn in the range of £17,000 - £20,500 a year, rising to £26,000 - £30,500. Higher earners can make around £40,000 a year.

Warehouse managers usually work a basic 40 hour week. However, depending on the operation, they may be required to work evenings, at weekends or be on call.

Employment opportunities throughout the UK are with major retail companies, warehousing and distribution firms, central and local government departments, the National Health Service (NHS) and the armed forces.

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Adult Opportunities

It is now illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Adults can enter warehouse management if they have experience of general management or logistics/distribution/transport management.

Working as a warehouse assistant/supervisor can lead to entry into trainee management-level positions.

If you don't have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree or HND course, a college or university Access course could be the way in.

These courses are designed for people who have not followed the usual routes into higher education. No formal qualifications are usually needed, but you should check this with individual colleges.

• 2% work part-time.
• 3% have flexible hours.

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