Warehouse managers are in charge of organising the safe and efficient receipt, storage and despatch of a wide range of warehoused goods. Typical day-to-day duties include monitoring the use of storage space, tracking stock levels, planning work rotas for warehouse employees, working closely with clients, transport companies and suppliers and organising staff training and recruitment.
Health and safety
Warehouses can be used to store anything from electrical goods and tools to fresh foods, pharmaceuticals or even hazardous materials. A warehouse manager is not only responsible for making sure such goods are correctly despatched and received but also for their security and for the health and safety of all those in the workplace. People and administration skills are therefore extremely valuable.
Although no specific qualifications are generally required, it can be helpful to have studied topics such as retail management, logistics, supply chain management and business information systems. Warehouse management remains a career in which it is possible to start at the bottom and work your way to the top on the basis of merit, but an increasing number of employers now prefer candidates with undergraduate or even postgraduate degrees.
Working hours vary according to the type of operation, but a shift work pattern that includes some weekends is common. Depending on the size of the operation, a manager may spend most of their time in the warehouse, in an office close to the warehouse, on the shop floor or dividing their time between multiple locations.
Efficient storage
The strong links between warehouse management and the transport and logistics industry mean additional knowledge in these areas can be extremely useful.The most senior managers will also be involved in maintaining or expanding the infrastructure of a warehouse, introducing new or used pallet racking systems, such as those available from www.rackzone.ie/pallet-racking to develop the most efficient ways of operating.
In recent years, the job of a warehouse manager has become increasingly sophisticated, chiefly due to the increased use of technology in many aspects of warehouse operations. The increase in online shopping means that efficient storage, warehousing and despatch of goods is becoming increasingly important. If you’re planning for a long-term career in warehouse management, taking accredited qualifications, short courses and professional development workshops can make you a more attractive candidate for promotion.
