Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Warehouse and Logistics Manager

🎯 Role Definition

The Warehouse and Logistics Manager is responsible for overseeing daily warehouse operations, managing inbound and outbound transportation, driving inventory accuracy, enforcing safety and compliance, and leading continuous improvement initiatives across distribution and fulfillment functions. This role combines hands-on operations leadership with strategic planning for storage utilization, labor optimization, vendor and carrier relationships, and systems integration (WMS/ERP/TMS). The ideal candidate ensures on-time order fulfillment, cost-effective transportation, exceptional customer service, and scalable processes for peak seasons.

Key SEO/LLM keywords: Warehouse and Logistics Manager, distribution center manager, inventory control, WMS, TMS, carrier management, shipping and receiving, order fulfillment, supply chain optimization.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Assistant Warehouse Manager / Shift Supervisor
Logistics Coordinator / Transportation Planner
Inventory Control Analyst

Advancement To:

Director of Warehouse Operations
Head of Logistics / Distribution
VP of Supply Chain

Lateral Moves:

Operations Manager (Manufacturing)
Supply Chain Planner / Network Planner

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Lead end-to-end warehouse operations including receiving, put-away, storage, picking, packing, staging, and shipping to meet service-level agreements (SLAs) and maintain order accuracy above target thresholds (e.g., 99%+).
Manage daily inbound and outbound transportation activities by scheduling carriers, optimizing freight lanes, negotiating rates, and ensuring on-time delivery and dock appointment adherence.
Own inventory control and cycle count programs: design calendar, supervise count teams, investigate variances, implement corrective actions, and drive inventory accuracy improvements month over month.
Oversee Warehouse Management System (WMS) and integrations with ERP/TMS; define system requirements, lead testing and rollouts, and ensure ongoing system adoption, configuration, and data integrity.
Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as on-time shipments, orders per hour (OPH), dock-to-stock time, order cycle time, inventory accuracy, picking accuracy, and cost per order; prepare weekly/monthly performance reports for leadership.
Create and manage annual warehouse and transportation budgets, control operating expenses, monitor freight spend, and drive continuous cost reduction initiatives without sacrificing service quality.
Recruit, hire, train, coach, and develop frontline supervisors, leads, and hourly warehouse associates; manage workforce planning including labor forecasting for seasonal peaks and promotions.
Design and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all warehouse processes, document work instructions, enforce compliance, and ensure consistent execution across shifts/sites.
Drive continuous improvement programs (Lean, Kaizen, Six Sigma) to eliminate waste, optimize space utilization, increase throughput, and improve safety; sponsor cross-functional improvement projects with measurable ROI.
Ensure regulatory and corporate compliance with OSHA, DOT, hazmat handling, FDA/food safety (if applicable), and local environmental regulations; coordinate audits and corrective action plans.
Lead safety programs and cultural initiatives: conduct regular safety audits, toolbox talks, incident investigations, root-cause analysis, and near-miss reporting to maintain low incident rates and promote a safety-first workplace.
Manage vendor and carrier relationships: evaluate carrier performance, negotiate contracts, administer service-level agreements, and resolve claims, billing discrepancies, and service failures.
Plan and execute seasonal ramp-ups, promotional surges, and peak holiday fulfillment strategies including temporary labor plans, cross-training, and overtime management to meet forecasted demand.
Oversee returns processing and reverse logistics: establish disposition decisions, process returns quickly, recover value, and track return rates to inform merchandising and supplier conversations.
Coordinate cross-functional planning with procurement, sales, customer service, and production to align inventory positions, lead times, safety stock, and customer commitments.
Implement and monitor quality control checkpoints across inbound receiving, in-process handling, and final packing to reduce damages, errors, and customer complaints.
Lead change management for process redesigns, new technology deployments, and layout reconfigurations; communicate plans, train teams, and measure adoption to ensure business continuity.
Optimize warehouse layout and storage strategies including slotting analysis, racking design, mezzanine usage, and automation integration (conveyors, sortation, pick-to-light) to increase efficiency and reduce travel time.
Manage material handling equipment program: purchase, maintenance schedules, operator training, and utilization reporting to ensure safe and effective operations.
Prepare and present executive-level summaries, action plans, and risk assessments on operational performance, capital projects, and improvement roadmaps to senior leadership.
Develop KPIs and dashboards for real-time operations monitoring; leverage Power BI/Tableau/Excel for data-driven decision making and continuous process improvement.
Maintain product security and loss prevention programs including cycle reconciliation, CCTV procedures, shrink mitigation strategies, and employee awareness campaigns.
Supervise documentation and compliance for international shipments including Incoterms, customs documentation, export controls, and coordination with customs brokers when applicable.
Drive sustainability and packaging optimization initiatives to reduce freight costs, minimize waste, and support corporate sustainability goals.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc analytics and operational deep dives to identify bottlenecks and recommend tactical interventions.
Mentor and cross-train staff for career development and flexible workforce deployment during peak periods.
Participate in capital equipment selection and pilot programs for automation, robotics, and digital warehouse solutions.
Serve as liaison with IT on WMS/TMS enhancements, data integrity issues, and integration projects with third-party logistics (3PL) partners.
Support continuous learning by contributing to training material development, competency matrices, and certification programs for warehouse personnel.
Coordinate emergency response and business continuity planning for warehouse disruptions (weather events, supply interruptions, system outages).
Collaborate on customer-specific requirements, audit readiness, and SLA management for key accounts.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) configuration and operations — experience with systems such as Manhattan, Blue Yonder (JDA), HighJump, or Oracle WMS.
Transportation Management System (TMS) knowledge and carrier rate negotiation experience.
Inventory management techniques: cycle counting, ABC/XYZ analysis, safety stock optimization and demand variability mitigation.
Advanced Excel skills: pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, macros, and data visualization for KPI tracking and root-cause analysis.
ERP integration experience (SAP, Oracle, NetSuite) and understanding of EDI transaction sets (856, 850, 940, 945).
Lean/Six Sigma methodology and continuous improvement tools (Kaizen, 5S, value stream mapping).
Freight optimization and carrier performance management (LTL, TL, parcel, intermodal) and rate negotiation strategies.
Knowledge of OSHA regulations, DOT compliance, hazmat handling, and industry-specific regulatory standards (e.g., FDA for food/pharma).
Material handling systems familiarity: conveyors, sortation, ASRS, forklifts, pick-to-light/voice picking technology.
Performance management and labor planning tools — workforce management, scheduling, and labor standards development.
Reverse logistics and returns management best practices.
Basic project management skills for implementing process changes and capital projects.

Soft Skills

Strong leadership and people-management with demonstrated ability to hire, motivate, coach, and retain high-performing teams.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management: clear reporting to senior leadership and regular updates to cross-functional partners.
Problem-solving and analytical mindset with the ability to convert operational data into actionable recommendations.
Customer-focused orientation with the ability to manage internal and external customer expectations and SLA commitments.
Change management aptitude — able to lead teams through new system implementations and process redesigns.
Time management and prioritization skills to balance daily operations with strategic initiatives.
Negotiation and partnering skills to secure favorable carrier rates and vendor terms.
Resilience and adaptability in fast-paced, high-volume environments.
Attention to detail and commitment to quality and compliance.
Coaching and mentorship skills to develop frontline supervisors and operators.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).

Preferred Education:

Bachelor’s plus professional certification(s) such as APICS CPIM/CSCP, CSCMP certification, Six Sigma Green/Black Belt, or MBA.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Supply Chain Management
Logistics and Transportation
Industrial Engineering
Business Administration
Operations Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 5–10 years of progressive experience in warehouse, distribution, or logistics roles, including at least 2–3 years in a supervisory or management capacity.

Preferred:

7+ years of combined warehouse and transportation experience, experience managing 3PL relationships, and a proven track record of improving KPIs and reducing operating costs.
Prior experience with high-volume fulfillment centers, omni-channel distribution, or manufacturing supply chain operations is highly desirable.