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Tips for Working Your Way Up to Warehouse Supervisor

January 25, 2022 | Career Blog

If you have experience working in a warehouse or currently have a warehouse job and enjoy the environment, you may be interested in learning how to move up the ladder to become a supervisor.

Fortunately, we have some tips for how to become a warehouse supervisor, which will set you up nicely for the opportunity to earn more income and enjoy greater opportunities for advancement in the industry.

Are You On Track to Become a Warehouse Supervisor?

Consider what the career path looks like to become a warehouse supervisor.

Warehouse Supervisor Salary

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the category of Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers, including warehouse managers, earn a median salary of $96,390 per year. This represents a significant pay raise compared with entry-level warehouse jobs such as package handlers and clerks.

Not surprisingly, the combination of hard work, effort, education, training, and some determination is needed to take the next step to become a supervisor. Here’s what it looks like.

Warehouse Supervisor Job Description

Warehouse supervisors wear many hats during a typical workday. Typical responsibilities and duties include the following:

  • Oversee and coordinate all warehouse activities.
  • Order supplies and manage inventory levels.
  • Ensure the security of the warehouse.
  • Supervise, hire, train, and update staff.
  • Manage, evaluate, and report on warehouse productivity.
  • Track and coordinate the receipt, storage, and delivery of goods.
  • Check these items for accuracy: bills, orders, items received, inventory, and deliveries.
  • Ensure basic maintenance standards and compliance with health and safety regulations.
  • Inspect the grounds daily.
  • Meet with shipping carriers and sales representatives to place orders,
  • Complete detailed financial reports.
  • Design the layout of the warehouse and change as needed to maintain efficiency and maximize productivity.

Do you possess specific skills and experiences with a few items on this list? Perhaps you’re familiar with checking orders and inventory for accuracy. That’s a good starting point. Then, becoming proficient in multiple areas will help springboard you to greater responsibility. Consider the full skill set that is required on your roadmap to a supervisor position.

Warehouse Supervisor Skills

The best warehouse supervisors possess the following skills:

  • Dependability
  • Organizational skills
  • Time-management skills
  • Detail-oriented
  • Ability to delegate tasks
  • Leadership skills
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills
  • Knowledge of Microsoft Office software and data entry programs like Excel
  • Problem-solving skills

Where are you strong? Where do you need to improve? If you currently work in the warehouse, ask your supervisor to help you identify gaps so you can take steps to improve and grow in certain areas. This will help you become more qualified for a supervisor role.

Warehouse Supervisor Qualifications

A quick glance at any warehouse supervisor job description reveals that these professionals need to bring a lot to the table. If you aspire to become one, it helps to know what your current employer or a future employer is looking for in qualified candidates. The qualifications that are typically required of warehouse supervisors include the following:

  • High school diploma or GED.
  • Although not required, possessing a degree in business management, logistics, or a related subject may broaden your options for advancement and improve your salary.
  • At least five years of relevant work experience in a warehouse or similar environment.
  • Supervisory experience and demonstrable management abilities.
  • Strong working knowledge of warehouse procedures and operations
  • Firm grasp of software tools used to manage the warehouse.
  • Specialty certifications may be required, depending on the employer and industry.
  • Knowledge of state and federal shipping regulations.
  • Knowledge of state and federal health and safety regulations.
  • Understanding of basic inventory procedures.
  • Working knowledge of budgets and basic finance.
  • Understanding of warehouse layouts and how to maximize efficiency and productivity.

Steps for Working Your Way Up to Warehouse Supervisor Jobs

Now that you understand the roadmap for success, let’s examine the steps that you need to follow on the path to becoming a supervisor.

1. Earn a High School Diploma or GED. If you don’t have your diploma, obtain your GED. This is the minimum requirement for the vast majority of warehouse jobs.

2. Gain Relevant Work Experience. Find entry-level work in a warehouse setting if you currently are not employed. (We can help through temporary staffing!)

3. Cultivate Your Skills. While working entry-level positions in a warehouse, take every opportunity you can to hone your skills so that you can become a more attractive candidate for managerial positions.  For example, educate yourself about supply chains, shipping logistics, and other warehouse-related processes and procedures. Register for any training sessions offered by your employer. Ask for more responsibilities, and request to oversee or manage projects to hone and demonstrate your leadership abilities.

4. Complete Management Training. Most employers seeking warehouse supervisors prefer candidates with demonstratable management skills. The best way to show that you have such skills is by completing management training of some kind. Many employers offer it, so there may be opportunities at your current job. Otherwise, many community colleges, universities, and trade schools offer management programs.

5. Apply for Warehouse Management Positions. With the above steps under your belt, you should feel free to apply for jobs as a warehouse manager. You will undoubtedly have the credentials and qualifications that hiring managers look for when hiring for such positions and will be on your way to a successful, rewarding, and lucrative career.

Let’s Get Started on Becoming a Warehouse Supervisor

If you have aspirations to become a warehouse supervisor, but you’re not sure if you’re on the right track, don’t worry. We can help you take the right steps to position yourself for this type of career, especially with access to our resources.

We have helped many individuals in your position find the right warehouse job to set them up for future success. It starts with having the right team in your corner to help you out. Contact us today to discuss being placed in a job that puts you on the right track. Allegiance Staffing is here to help!