Warehouse manager

Warehouse managers oversee the efficient receipt, storage and dispatch of a range of goods

As a warehouse manager, you are responsible for a vital part of the supply chain process. You'll manage people, processes and systems in order to ensure goods are received, stored and dispatched appropriately, and that productivity targets are met.

You'll also be responsible for workplace health and safety standards and for the security of the building and stock. Specialist warehouses may store temperature-controlled products, such as food and pharmaceuticals, and hazardous materials. Some warehouses also manage returns and recycling.

Types of warehouse manager

Roles vary depending on the sector, industry and the size of the warehouse facility. You may work as a general warehouse manager with responsibility for all warehouse operations, including staff, logistics and inventory management. However, you may work in a particular area of warehouse management, such:

• cold storage
• distribution
• order fulfilment
• inventory control
• operations.

According to the UKWA 2024 report on the size and make-up of the warehouse sector, warehouses are getting larger in size and scale.

Responsibilities

As a warehouse manager, you'll need to:

• coordinate and monitor the receipt, order, assembly and dispatch of stock, ensuring that goods and stock flow safely, smoothly and consistently in and out of the warehouse facility to customers
• ensure that quality, budgetary targets and environmental objectives are met
• liaise with customers, suppliers and transport companies, as well as other departments such as procurement and customer service, to ensure orders are fulfilled on time
• coordinate the use of automated and computerised systems to optimise efficiency
• respond to and deal with customer communication by email and telephone
• keep stock control systems up to date and make sure inventories are accurate
• optimise storage space and plan future capacity requirements
• organise the recruitment and training of warehouse staff
• supervise warehouse staff, assigning tasks and monitoring their performance and progress to ensure productivity and quality targets are met
• produce regular reports and statistics on a daily, weekly and monthly basis
• visit customers to monitor the quality of service they are receiving
• implement and maintain standards of health and safety, hygiene and security in the work environment, for example, ensuring that stock such as chemicals and food are stored safely
• oversee the planned maintenance of vehicles, machinery and equipment
• where appropriate, oversee the maintenance and operation of warehouse management systems and automated storage and retrieval systems
• have a clear understanding of the company's policies and vision and how the warehouse contributes to these.

Salary

• Salaries for warehouse assistants typically range from £21,000 to £28,000 depending on your experience and the type of role.
• Salaries for assistant warehouse managers can be in the region of £25,500 to £37,500.
• Warehouse managers typically earn between £28,000 and £50,000. Senior warehouse managers and operations directors can earn in excess of this amount.

Salaries can vary significantly depending on a range of factors such as your location, the size and type of company you work for, and the sector you work in (private, public or charity/not-for-profit).

Other factors that affect salary include your skills, experience, level of seniority and professional qualifications.

Salaries may be part of a package with a range of benefits including a company car, staff discount, pension, life insurance and private health insurance.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

Working hours typically include early starts, late finishes, weekends and shift work. Senior managers often work a more conventional week but may do longer hours when necessary.

Working hours for most managers are heavier in high seasons: planning for Christmas within the retail sector begins during the summer and rises to a peak in December.

What to expect

• Work is usually split between the shop floor, warehouse and the office, though this depends on the size of the operation.
• Opportunities are available throughout the UK, commonly located within easy reach of motorways and rail, sea and air terminals. Major cities tend to have more opportunities as they have better transportation infrastructure. The East Midlands is also home to a large number of warehousing facilities, due to its proximity to major motorways.
• This industry is fast moving, and work may be challenging due to tight schedules and deadlines. However, there are good career development prospects if you have the right combination of skills, experience and motivation.
• According to the Women in Transport Equity Index 2023, women make up only 23% of the transport sector and more than half of these women work in non-transport roles. Organisations such as Women in Transport aim to improve the employment, career advancement and retention of women within the transport industry.
• There may be occasional travel during the working day. Overnight absence from home and overseas work or travel is uncommon, although there is scope to undertake overseas placements with some multinational firms.

Qualifications

Although you don't need a specific degree to become a warehouse manager, the following subjects are particularly relevant:

• business information systems
• business, management or economics
• business with languages
• operational research
• retail management
• supply chain management
• transport, distribution or logistics.

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT(UK)) accredits a number of undergraduate and postgraduate logistics and supply chain management degrees. Search CILT(UK) accredited courses. These degrees also provide exemptions from some of the requirements for membership or chartered membership.

Some large companies offer graduate training schemes. You'll usually need a good first degree to get a place.

The Novus programme was created to help undergraduate students interested in supply chain, logistics, operations, transport and data analytics positively progress their future career. It provides students with access to summer and year-long placements, graduate roles, and both professional and peer mentors. Find out which universities offer the Novus programme.

Entry without a degree, HND or foundation degree is possible. You can work in an entry-level warehousing role straight from school or college, either by applying to an employer directly or through an apprenticeship, such as the Level 2 Supply chain warehouse operative or the Level 3 Transport and warehouse supervisors apprenticeship. Apprenticeships combine paid work with part-time study, meaning you can train on the job. Find an apprenticeship.

On-the-job experience linked to professional qualifications provides a common entry route for post A-level entrants who can work their way up to management level. Qualifications specifically in warehousing operations and management are available from entry level right through to senior strategic warehouse and inventory management level. For a list of diploma courses, see the Institute of Supply Chain Management.

Qualifications offered by CILT UK are also suitable for those entering the supply chain and operations profession through to strategic management level.

You don't need a postgraduate degree to become a warehouse manager. However, a Masters in logistics and supply chain management may help give you the edge with some employers, especially if the course provides placement opportunities to give you practical experience. Search postgraduate courses in logistics and supply chain management.

Skills

You'll need to have:

• excellent oral and written communication skills
• numeracy and an understanding of finance for stock management
• people management skills, including the ability to inspire, lead and motivate a team of people, delegate work and explain ideas
• teamworking skills
• planning and organising skills to effectively manage the flow of stock
• analytical ability
• accuracy and attention to detail
• initiative, resourcefulness and flexibility, with the ability to make quick decisions in a fast-paced environment
• technical and IT skills, particularly when it comes to database management and spreadsheets
• problem-solving skills and the ability to work on a tactical and strategic level
• the ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
• a flexible approach to work as many warehouses operate shift patterns
• knowledge of the legal requirements of operating a warehouse.

Work experience

Experience of working in a team and dealing with people in a warehouse setting will improve your chances. Getting a forklift licence will be helpful. Having retail experience and experience of working in a supervisory role is also advantageous.

Try to get some vacation work or an industrial placement in a warehouse to test your suitability for this area of work. Consider a general warehouse position when starting out, for example, as a trainee supervisor with a smaller organisation. Experience in these jobs can lead to line-management positions.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

Warehouse managers are employed within many industries in the private, public and charity/not-for-profit sectors. Typical employers include retail companies, aviation organisations, rail providers, the armed forces, local and national government, and manufacturing and engineering firms.

According to a 2024 report by the UK Warehousing Association (UKWA), warehouses are getting larger in size and scale. Warehouse facilities are typically used by:

• third-party logistics (3PL) companies
• transport companies
• high street retailers
• online retailers
• food retailers
• manufacturing companies
• automotive industry
• food services
• wholesalers
• parcels/mail.

Increasingly, a number of companies across all sectors contract out their logistics activities to firms of specialist logistics service providers (LSPs) to manage all or part of their supply chain. These companies provide storage premises, materials, handling equipment and vehicles.

There are some opportunities for freelance consultancy work with small practices. This gives you the chance to work with many different organisations, and at various levels, depending on the nature of the project. Consultants may specialise in areas such as:

• supply-chain modelling
• transport and distribution planning
• warehouse automation.

Look for job vacancies at:

• CILT(UK) Jobs Board
• Foodmanjobs
• Supply Chain Online

Specialist recruitment agencies such as Michael Page and TLP also advertise vacancies.

Professional development

Training varies from company to company. Some larger companies offer comprehensive graduate training schemes. These usually last up to two years, with periods spent on rotation in various departments and locations, learning on the job and often studying at the same time for relevant professional qualifications.

Warehouse management can be seen as a specialism within the wider context of logistics, transport and supply chain management. This means that training, especially with a large operator, is likely to include other areas, such as transport management and administration.

If you're not on a formal graduate training scheme, you'll typically learn on the job under the guidance of experienced supervisors and managers. You may also undertake NEBOSH or IOSH health and safety qualifications.

Many companies encourage their employees to take professional qualifications. Qualifications specifically in warehousing and inventory management are available from the Institute of Supply Chain Management.

The UKWA also offers an independently accredited Level 3 Warehouse Manager Certificate of Professional Competence qualification for warehouse managers and supervisors.

CILT UK offers a range of regulated and accredited qualifications in logistics, supply chain and operations management, as well as short courses, workshops and lectures, seminars and conferences. Membership also provides the opportunity to network with other managers.

It's also possible to take a Masters course in operations, supply chain and logistics management

Career prospects

You can progress through the industry by gaining relevant experience in a range of settings and operations of different sizes. There are opportunities to move into either third-party logistics (3PL) organisations, which provide outsourced logistics services, or in-house operations.

Gaining vocational and professional qualifications will help your career development.

With experience there are some opportunities to move into senior management posts, such as regional or national operations manager or director. You can also move into other management posts throughout the wider logistics/supply chain management sector.

There are also opportunities for experienced managers to work in Europe and other emerging global markets. Being able to speak a foreign language would be useful if you're looking for opportunities abroad.