A warehouse supervisor is in charge of the day-to-day operations of a warehouse and usually supervises a team of workers. Inventory control is a critical part of a warehouse supervisor’s job because warehouses serve as storage facilities for goods moving to and from various locations. Warehouse supervisors don’t need any special education, but they do need experience working in warehouses and storerooms, as well as the ability to drive forklifts and commercial trucks.
Warehouse supervisors are responsible for ensuring a smooth flow of goods in and out of the warehouse as daily operations supervisors. They oversee inventory management, ensuring that it is organized logically and efficiently, and instructing employees on how to process incoming and outgoing goods. Outgoing goods must be properly packaged and accompanied by their own bills of lading, while incoming shipments must be checked against bills of lading and entered into inventory.
A warehouse supervisor’s main concern is safety. A busy warehouse can be a dangerous place, with injuries from improperly stacked boxes, hazardous materials, and heavy machinery among the dangers. A warehouse supervisor is responsible for keeping employees safe, which includes providing proper safety training and equipment, ensuring that the workplace meets safety standards, and personally inspecting the warehouse for any potential safety issues.
Warehouse supervisors are also in charge of interviewing job applicants, evaluating current employees, giving raises and promotions where appropriate, and letting employees go when they are no longer needed. Employee records, such as proof of legal employment, employment records, and other information that must be securely stored to maintain employee confidentiality, are also kept by the warehouse supervisor.
Because inventory is increasingly managed by computer, a warehouse supervisor is often required to have computer experience. Warehouse supervisors need specific training in the programs used at their warehouses, which can include automated ordering systems and inventory management systems, in addition to general computer skills.
Employers may promote warehouse supervisors from within their own ranks, capitalizing on their employees’ prior experience. Companies can also hire from the outside, in which case candidates will be evaluated to see if they have the necessary experience and skills to be successful warehouse supervisors. Many warehouse supervisors have assistants, and working as an assistant warehouse supervisor can be a great way to gain experience before moving up to the top job.