Torchora
Back to Home

Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Goods Supervisor

💰 $55,000 - $75,000

LogisticsSupply ChainWarehouse Management

🎯 Role Definition

The Goods Supervisor is the operational cornerstone of our distribution center, responsible for overseeing the entire lifecycle of goods from receipt to dispatch. This hands-on leadership role involves managing a dedicated team of warehouse associates, optimizing processes, and ensuring that all operations meet our high standards for safety, quality, and efficiency. You will be the driving force behind daily operational success, acting as the key liaison between the warehouse floor and senior management to achieve critical supply chain objectives.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Warehouse Team Leader
  • Senior Warehouse Associate
  • Inventory Controller

Advancement To:

  • Warehouse Manager
  • Logistics Manager
  • Operations Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Supply Chain Planner
  • Distribution Supervisor

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Direct and supervise the daily activities of the warehouse team, including goods-in, put-away, picking, packing, and dispatch operations, ensuring all tasks are completed accurately and on schedule.
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a team of warehouse associates, providing regular coaching, conducting performance reviews, and fostering a culture of teamwork and continuous improvement.
  • Uphold and enforce all health and safety regulations (H&S/OSHA) within the warehouse, conducting regular safety audits and promoting a proactive safety-first mindset.
  • Manage and maintain precise inventory integrity by overseeing regular cycle counts, physical stock-takes, and investigating any stock discrepancies to ensure system accuracy.
  • Plan and allocate labor resources effectively across different shifts and departments to meet fluctuating operational demands and service level agreements (SLAs).
  • Act as the primary point of contact for resolving operational issues, including shipment errors, damaged goods, and carrier delays, ensuring minimal disruption to the supply chain.
  • Monitor, analyze, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) such as on-time dispatch, order accuracy, and team productivity, implementing corrective actions as needed.
  • Champion continuous improvement initiatives by identifying and eliminating operational bottlenecks, optimizing warehouse layout, and refining standard operating procedures (SOPs).
  • Ensure all material handling equipment (MHE), such as forklifts and pallet jacks, is operated safely and maintained according to schedule.
  • Manage the goods return (reverse logistics) process, ensuring returned products are inspected, processed, and restocked or disposed of efficiently.
  • Conduct daily team briefings to communicate targets, operational priorities, and safety announcements, ensuring the team is aligned and motivated.
  • Train new and existing employees on warehouse procedures, system usage (WMS/ERP), and safe work practices to maintain a highly skilled workforce.
  • Liaise effectively with transport partners, couriers, and freight forwarders to coordinate inbound deliveries and outbound collections, ensuring timely transit.
  • Investigate and formally document all workplace incidents, accidents, or near-misses, participating in root cause analysis and implementing preventative measures.
  • Maintain a high standard of cleanliness and organization throughout the warehouse, championing 5S or similar lean methodologies.

Secondary Functions

  • Support cross-departmental projects aimed at enhancing overall supply chain efficiency and customer satisfaction.
  • Contribute to the development and refinement of warehouse standard operating procedures (SOPs) and best practices.
  • Collaborate with procurement and planning teams to manage inbound scheduling and resolve supplier-related issues.
  • Participate in budget planning and actively manage operational costs, including labor, supplies, and equipment maintenance.
  • Generate ad-hoc reports and perform data analysis to support operational decision-making and strategic planning.
  • Manage staff scheduling, including shift patterns, holiday approvals, and overtime allocation to ensure adequate coverage.
  • Handle escalated inquiries from customer service or sales teams regarding order status and stock availability.
  • Ensure compliance with all company policies, industry regulations, and legal requirements related to warehousing and transportation.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Warehouse Management Systems (WMS): Proven proficiency in using and managing WMS platforms (e.g., SAP EWM, Manhattan, JDA, or similar).
  • ERP Systems: Experience with enterprise resource planning systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite) for inventory and order management.
  • Inventory Control: Deep understanding of inventory management principles, including cycle counting, stock-taking, and discrepancy resolution.
  • Health & Safety Compliance: In-depth knowledge of H&S/OSHA regulations and best practices within a warehouse environment.
    -KPI Reporting & Analysis: Ability to track, analyze, and report on key operational metrics to drive performance.
  • Microsoft Office Suite: Strong skills in MS Excel for data analysis and reporting, as well as Word and Outlook for communication.
  • Material Handling Equipment (MHE): Familiarity with the safe operation and basic maintenance of warehouse equipment; forklift certification is a strong plus.

Soft Skills

  • Leadership & Team Management: Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, and develop a diverse team in a fast-paced setting.
  • Problem-Solving: Proactive and resourceful in identifying issues, evaluating solutions, and making decisive, effective decisions.
  • Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for clear interaction with team members, management, and external partners.
  • Organizational & Time Management: Superior ability to prioritize tasks, manage time effectively, and orchestrate complex workflows under pressure.
  • Attention to Detail: Meticulous and thorough, ensuring accuracy in all aspects of inventory, shipping, and receiving.
  • Adaptability: Flexible and able to pivot quickly in response to changing priorities and operational challenges.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate's or Bachelor's Degree.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Supply Chain Management
  • Logistics
  • Business Administration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-5 years of experience in a warehouse, logistics, or distribution environment, with at least 1-2 years in a supervisory or team lead capacity.

Preferred:

  • Experience in a high-volume, fast-paced environment such as e-commerce, retail distribution, or 3PL.
  • A proven track record of successfully leading teams to meet or exceed performance targets.
  • Demonstrable experience in driving process improvement projects (e.g., lean, Six Sigma, 5S).
Explore More Careers