What It Takes to Work as a Warehouse Supervisor - Our Guide
In many businesses, having a warehouse is paramount for product storage and maintenance before being transported and delivered right at the customers' doorsteps. If you're in an entry-level position, you may probably be working as a warehouse packer, worker, clerk, material handler, machine operator, driver, or delivery worker. However, the story changes when you're promoted to a warehouse supervisor. This is when your roles and responsibilities in a warehouse setting have leveled up, which have become more crucial than ever.
In this article, we'll share with you what it takes to work as a warehouse supervisor and whether or not it is the right job for you:
What is a warehouse supervisor?
Simply put, a warehouse supervisor is generally responsible for overseeing inventory and maintaining supplies. This means that you're the one managing the warehouse inventory level and ensuring that goods are properly received, stored, and delivered. You will also need to work with various people, from material handlers to packers to delivery personnel. Your ultimate goal is to ensure the highest quality of work and increasing productivity in the warehouse!
What is the role of a warehouse supervisor?
From the definition alone, you'll realize that there's more to a warehouse supervisor’s tasks than you might expect. You must be multi-faceted, meaning that you know the workflow processes in the warehouse. On top of these is to have the necessary attributes required to be successful, such as communication, leadership, and public relation skills. Likewise, you must know and be well-acquainted with inventory management, logistics, and workforce supervision.
However, what exactly does a warehouse supervisor do? As a supervisor, individuals must:
- Supervise daily activities of their subordinates in a warehouse.
- Manage loading and unloading operations.
- Supervise forklift and pallet jack operations.
- Prepare shipping documents and other vital paperwork.
- Ensure the flow of ordering, receiving, and storing equipment, materials, and tools.
- Supervise the counting, weighing, and identifying of materials for shipment.
- Inspect materials against customer orders, picking lists, and billings.
- Check and verify materials in the warehouse regularly.
- Maintain records of equipment, materials, and products.
- Develop annual department budgets.
What does it take to become a warehouse supervisor?
If you've been in the warehouse industry for some time, it's a good idea to level up by getting promoted as a warehouse supervisor or applying for this position. If you're interested in becoming one, keep in mind that there are some criteria that you must meet.
On top of this is education, where most warehouse supervisors are required to have a bachelor's degree. The next consideration is the track record of experience in the field. The longer you've been working in a warehouse, the better your chance of getting promoted or hired.
Another consideration is the possession of a supervisor’s skills and attributes, including leadership, management, communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills. Ultimately, the level of familiarity with the workflow processes and operations in a warehouse setting can make all the difference in your efforts!
Conclusion
At this point, you now know what it takes to work as a warehouse supervisor. Whether you want to get promoted or apply for this position, be sure to consider all the valuable insights discussed above, particularly the roles and responsibilities. Ultimately, it's time to take your career in the warehouse industry to the next level!
Are you looking to work as a warehouse supervisor? You've come to the right place, as we're the #1 online job search platform for job seekers and companies to connect in the transportation industry. You can create your resume profile, or use our job search tools to find driving jobs, delivery jobs, and other job openings. If you're specifically looking for warehouse jobs in the US, get in touch with us today to see how we can help!