Home » News & Press » 7 Attributes of a Successful Warehouse Manager
By Mike Nelson, Posted in News & Press, Warehouse
Warehouse managers are essential personnel for any business with inventory, therefore many companies live and die on the strengths and weaknesses of those managers. Finding the right person for the job may not be easy, but it is crucial to do so, in order to ensure smooth, efficient warehouse operations.
Managing a warehouse is a complicated, multifaceted role that requires one to be proficient in numerous areas in order to be effective.
The top 7 attributes of truly exceptional warehouse managers include:
- Organizational Ability
Beyond just basic administrative organizational skill, great warehouse managers know how to utilize all the various tools at their disposal in order to run operations as efficiently as possible. They also have a keen sense for how to best manage people and processes in order to achieve high levels of organization and productivity. Read 5 Warehouse Organization Tips - Precision
Due to the importance of the job and its many aspects, being a good warehouse manager requires a high level of precision when overseeing the warehouse. This includes staying on top of the details and utilizing technology whenever possible, and using that technology effectively. If the warehouse and inventory side of a business fails, then major problems ensue, hence the need for a high level of precision. - Tech-Savviness
These days, technology is the best friend of every great warehouse manager. The starting point is using a warehouse management system, which should be the core of the warehouse manager’s organization. From there, one can explore numerous upgrades that help to increase operations efficiency, like handheld barcode scanners for employees to use. - Safety-Mindedness
Warehouse safety needs to be a number-one priority, so an effective warehouse manager always keeps this at the forefront of their mind and in the processes that are employed. The end goal is to keep injuries as infrequent as possible, which leads to happier employees, greater productivity and all-round operational improvement. - Leadership
Managing a warehouse requires people skills, namely the ability to lead and motivate employees. A great warehouse manager leads by example, including treating coworkers with respect, welcoming and listening to the ideas of others, remaining fair at all times and empathizing with subordinates. Leaders also possess a core competency that allows them to delegate, yet also understand the tasks being assigned to others. - Integrity
When there is a large amount of inventory at hand worth a significant amount of dollars, the last thing a business wants is an untrustworthy warehouse manager. Thus honesty, integrity, ethics, etc., are all key qualities of a successful warehouse manager. Theft and inventory “shrinkage” are a common issue in business, but you want to be able to rest assured that your manager isn’t the culprit. - A Sense of Calm
In warehouse, things can sometimes go wrong, and when you consider the importance of inventory/supply chain management to a business, things in the warehouse can go very wrong. So the last thing anyone wants is a warehouse manager who cracks under pressure. The best warehouse managers know this, and don’t fold when times get tough. Instead, they calmly dig in and work, until the situation is resolved.
If you are in charge of managing a warehouse, be sure to check out all the safety products that we carry to make your job easier and safer for your employees. Koke Inc. has been ensuring the safety of warehouses all across the country since 1972. If you’re interested in speaking with one of our knowledgeable reps about any of our products, please call us at 800-535-5303.
