If you are looking to become a warehouse supervisor, you can’t miss today’s post. In this article, we explain the basic tasks of a warehouse supervisor along with the three main things you need to do if you want to become a warehouse supervisor.
What Does a Warehouse Supervisor Do?
As the name suggests, a warehouse supervisor is a professional who oversees and evaluates warehouse activities, usually on a shift basis.
Some activities commonly performed by a warehouse supervisor include:
- Receive and dispatch goods.
- Supervise the warehouse team.
- Keep track of inventory levels.
- Suggest ways to improve productivity.
- Train and evaluate warehouse workers.
- Assess and report the effectiveness of the warehouse.
- Ensuring the quality of the goods in the warehouse.
- Make sure that procedures adhere to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards.
How To Become a Warehouse Supervisor
Becoming a warehouse supervisor takes hard work and a specific combination of skills, knowledge, and experience. Here’s what you need to know.
1. Meet the Education/Experience Requirements
As with any other supervisory position, there are certain education and experience requirements to be met if you want to become a warehouse supervisor.
Most companies will want you to have either:
- A degree in business or logistics
- A high school diploma/GED + a few years of warehouse experience
The second alternative is probably the most common, and lots of people become warehouse supervisors by accumulating experience as they work their way up the ranks.
In addition to having relevant experience, a good way to improve your prospects of becoming a supervisor is by having some Industry-specific certifications such as a commercial driver’s license or a forklift operation certificate.
2. Learn More About the Industry
Staying up to date with the most recent trends in warehousing and logistics demonstrates two important things.
First, it shows that you are passionate about the job, which is a trait most employers appreciate.
On the other hand, the fact that you take the time to read industry news means that you are aware of the most innovative solutions to improve the efficiency of a warehouse.
Luckily, staying current with the warehouse industry is easier than ever thanks to the internet.
For example, here are some terms you can Google to get started:
- Warehouse industry news
- Logistics news
- Warehousing blog
- Distribution industry news
- Supply chain blog
3. Work on Your Soft Skills
Finally, you should always remember that while warehouse work is about storing goods, everything is made possible thanks to people.
Knowing how to lead with both firmness and flexibility goes a long way toward succeeding in any supervisor job.
This means that in addition to meeting the education/experience requirements and learning about the industry, any person aspiring to become a warehouse supervisor must also work on their soft skills, including
- Time management
- Organization
- Delegation
- Communication
- Interpersonal skills
- Assertiveness
Looking for Warehouse Jobs? Driven Talent Is Here To Help
Whether you are an employer looking for the ideal candidate to fill a position or a job seeker trying to take the next step in your career in warehousing, Driven Talent can help.
Contact us today by telephone (657-533-2980), through our social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram), or fill out the contact form to learn more about our services.