What Does a Warehouse Manager Do?
A warehouse manager is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of a storage or distribution facility. This role ensures that goods are received, stored, and shipped efficiently and accurately while maintaining high standards for safety, organization, and team productivity. Warehouse managers play a critical role in supply chain operations by ensuring inventory is well-managed and orders are fulfilled on time.
These professionals coordinate staff scheduling, equipment use, and warehouse layout to maximize operational efficiency. They are also responsible for enforcing safety protocols, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and managing warehouse technology systems. Strong leadership and attention to detail are essential, as warehouse managers have a direct impact on customer satisfaction and cost control.
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Warehouse Manager Core Responsibilities
- Oversee all warehouse operations including receiving, storage, inventory control, and shipping
- Supervise and schedule warehouse staff, including training and performance management
- Ensure compliance with safety standards and OSHA regulations
- Monitor and maintain inventory accuracy through audits and cycle counts
- Manage warehouse layout and optimize storage space for operational efficiency
- Utilize WMS and ERP systems to track inventory and process orders
- Coordinate with transportation teams to schedule inbound and outbound shipments
- Maintain equipment and coordinate repairs or service as needed
- Enforce company policies, procedures, and safety guidelines
- Prepare operational reports, track KPIs, and implement process improvements
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- Proficiency in warehouse management systems (WMS), barcode scanners, and inventory software
- Knowledge of logistics, shipping, receiving, and freight coordination
- Familiarity with OSHA safety standards and material handling protocols
- Ability to conduct inventory analysis and generate operational reports
- Experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite)
Soft skills
- Strong leadership and team management capabilities
- Excellent organizational and time management skills
- Problem-solving abilities and decision-making under pressure
- Clear and effective communication with cross-functional teams
- High attention to detail and accuracy
Educational requirements
- High school diploma or GED required
- Associate or bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, logistics, or business preferred
Certifications
- OSHA 30 certification preferred
- Forklift certification may be required depending on facility
- APICS or CSCMP certification is a plus but not mandatory
Warehouse Manager Preferred Qualifications
- 3+ years of experience in warehouse supervision or logistics leadership
- Experience with automated warehouse systems or robotics
- Bilingual communication skills (e.g., English and Spanish)
- Familiarity with lean warehousing or Six Sigma principles
National Average Salary
Warehouse manager salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a Position is:
$123,456
Warehouse Manager Job Descriptions
The first step when hiring a great warehouse manager is a well-crafted job description. Below are real-world examples to help give you the best chance of success on your recruiting journey.
Example 1: Distribution Warehouse Manager
Position Overview
A distribution warehouse manager oversees the movement of goods through a large-scale facility responsible for storing and dispatching products to retail locations, wholesalers, or end consumers. This role ensures that all operations—from receiving to order fulfillment—run efficiently, safely, and on schedule. Coordination with logistics, transportation, and inventory teams is key to success in this position.
Responsibilities
- Manage daily distribution operations including receiving, picking, packing, staging, and shipping
- Supervise warehouse teams and assign resources to meet shipping deadlines
- Ensure accuracy of outbound shipments and minimize inventory discrepancies
- Optimize layout and material flow to support high-volume order processing
- Monitor WMS performance and troubleshoot issues affecting order fulfillment
- Collaborate with transportation providers to ensure timely outbound delivery
- Enforce OSHA safety compliance and facility cleanliness
- Track KPIs such as order accuracy, fulfillment speed, and dock turnaround times
Requirements
Hard skills
- Deep understanding of distribution center workflows and logistics
- Proficiency with WMS and transportation management systems (TMS)
- Experience with pallet racking, dock equipment, and material handling systems
- Knowledge of inventory auditing, load planning, and freight consolidation
Soft skills
- High-pressure decision-making and multitasking ability
- Strong communication with cross-departmental teams and vendors
- Leadership in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments
- Conflict resolution and shift scheduling expertise
Educational requirements
- High school diploma or GED required
- Associate or bachelor’s degree in logistics, supply chain, or business preferred
Certifications
- OSHA 30 and forklift certification required
- APICS or CLTD (Certified in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution) preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience managing high-volume regional or national distribution hubs
- Lean warehousing or Six Sigma experience
- Familiarity with parcel and LTL carrier systems like FedEx, UPS, or XPO
Example 2: Cold Storage Warehouse Manager
Position Overview
A cold storage warehouse manager is responsible for the safe and efficient handling of perishable goods within temperature-controlled environments. This role involves overseeing cold chain compliance, staff management, equipment maintenance, and regulatory reporting. Facilities typically store products such as pharmaceuticals, produce, or frozen foods.
Responsibilities
- Supervise receiving, storage, and dispatch of temperature-sensitive products
- Monitor refrigeration systems and ensure compliance with cold chain requirements
- Maintain inventory accuracy and prevent spoilage or contamination
- Enforce food safety regulations including HACCP, FDA, and USDA standards
- Coordinate routine maintenance of HVAC and refrigeration units
- Train staff in safe handling practices for perishable or hazardous goods
- Conduct audits and prepare reports for regulatory inspections
- Collaborate with logistics teams to optimize cold-chain delivery
Requirements
Hard skills
- Experience managing refrigerated or frozen warehouse operations
- Proficiency in WMS and temperature tracking systems
- Knowledge of HACCP, GMP, and industry-specific safety regulations
- Ability to calibrate and monitor cooling systems and air flow sensors
Soft skills
- Strong organizational skills under tight regulatory constraints
- Ability to lead under extreme environmental conditions
- Clear communicator with both staff and external auditors
- Proactive mindset for maintenance and operational risk prevention
Educational requirements
- High school diploma or GED required
- Certification or coursework in food safety or refrigeration preferred
Certifications
- OSHA 30 and food safety certification (e.g., HACCP) required
- EPA 608 certification for refrigerant handling preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with pharmaceutical or food distribution warehouses
- Knowledge of electronic temperature validation systems
- Bilingual capabilities to support diverse workforces
Example 3: Manufacturing Warehouse Manager
Position Overview
A manufacturing warehouse manager coordinates the storage, staging, and movement of raw materials, components, and finished goods in support of production operations. This role works closely with planning, procurement, and quality control teams to ensure continuous production flow and adherence to inventory plans.
Responsibilities
- Manage material handling, staging, and replenishment for production lines
- Coordinate receiving and put-away of raw materials and components
- Maintain real-time visibility of stock levels using ERP and WMS systems
- Oversee finished goods storage and outbound logistics to distribution centers
- Enforce inventory accuracy through cycle counts and BOM tracking
- Collaborate with production and planning teams to minimize downtime
- Ensure compliance with workplace safety, lean practices, and ISO standards
- Supervise warehouse team and assign tasks aligned with daily production goals
Requirements
Hard skills
- Familiarity with BOMs, Kanban, and manufacturing resource planning
- Proficiency in ERP and WMS platforms (e.g., SAP, Oracle)
- Experience managing inventory staging and kitting operations
- Understanding of lean warehousing, JIT inventory, and production flow
Soft skills
- Cross-functional collaboration with production and planning departments
- Attention to inventory traceability and supply chain timing
- Ability to multitask in a deadline-driven environment
- Leadership in continuous improvement and safety culture
Educational requirements
- High school diploma or GED required
- Degree in industrial engineering, logistics, or supply chain preferred
Certifications
- OSHA 30 certification required
- APICS or CPIM certification preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- Background in electronics, automotive, or consumer goods manufacturing
- Experience with ISO 9001 and 14001 environments
- ERP implementation or warehouse layout redesign experience
Example 4: E-commerce Fulfillment Manager
Position Overview
An e-commerce fulfillment manager leads the operations of a warehouse dedicated to processing online orders. This role emphasizes speed, accuracy, and customer satisfaction. Managers are responsible for optimizing pick/pack/ship processes, managing order volumes, and integrating automation tools to scale operations efficiently.
Responsibilities
- Oversee pick, pack, and ship operations for all online customer orders
- Maintain real-time inventory accuracy using barcode scanners and WMS tools
- Implement automation technologies such as conveyor systems or robotic picking
- Set daily order volume goals and monitor team performance
- Collaborate with customer service and IT for order-related issues
- Handle reverse logistics and returns processing efficiently
- Monitor last-mile carrier performance and resolve delivery exceptions
- Ensure proper packaging standards and brand compliance
Requirements
Hard skills
- Expertise in e-commerce fulfillment systems and order processing workflows
- Familiarity with WMS, barcode systems, and shipping API integrations
- Understanding of omnichannel logistics, returns, and customer SLAs
- Experience with warehouse automation and pick-to-light systems
Soft skills
- Tech-savvy and detail-oriented with high urgency
- Strong leadership in high-growth, dynamic environments
- Excellent time management and escalation handling
- Clear communicator with fulfillment, tech, and service teams
Educational requirements
- High school diploma or GED required
- Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, e-commerce operations, or related field preferred
Certifications
- OSHA 30 certification preferred
- Certifications in logistics or fulfillment systems (e.g., Shopify, ShipStation) are a plus
Preferred Qualifications
- Background in 3PL or direct-to-consumer operations
- Experience scaling fulfillment during seasonal demand spikes
- Knowledge of API integrations for Shopify, Amazon, or WooCommerce