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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Warehouse Operations Supervisor

💰 $55,000 - $85,000

OperationsLogisticsWarehouse Management

🎯 Role Definition

The Warehouse Operations Supervisor leads day-to-day warehouse activities to ensure accurate, timely, safe and cost-effective order fulfillment. This role supervises front-line warehouse staff, enforces safety and compliance standards (OSHA, DOT, company policies), drives inventory accuracy and productivity using warehouse management systems (WMS), and partners with operations and logistics stakeholders to optimize throughput, reduce costs and support continuous improvement initiatives.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Warehouse Associate / Material Handler
  • Shipping & Receiving Clerk
  • Shift Lead / Lead Hand

Advancement To:

  • Warehouse Manager / Distribution Manager
  • Operations Manager / Logistics Manager
  • Director of Distribution / Supply Chain Director

Lateral Moves:

  • Inventory Control Supervisor
  • Logistics Coordinator / Transportation Supervisor

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Supervise and coach a frontline warehouse team (pickers, packers, dock associates, forklift operators), providing daily direction, performance feedback, and development planning to meet productivity and accuracy targets.
  • Manage inbound receiving operations: verify shipments, inspect goods, coordinate dock assignments, and ensure accurate put-away in the WMS to maintain inventory integrity.
  • Oversee outbound operations: prioritize order staging, picking, packing, labeling, and carrier loading to meet shipment cutoffs and SLA commitments with zero compromises on accuracy.
  • Maintain and improve inventory accuracy through cycle counts, root-cause analysis of discrepancies, reconciliation processes, and corrective action plans to hit inventory accuracy KPIs.
  • Enforce warehouse safety, environmental and regulatory compliance (OSHA, DOT, hazardous materials handling) by running safety audits, toolbox talks, incident investigations, and corrective actions.
  • Operate and manage warehouse management systems (WMS) and handheld RF devices to direct workflow, update transactions, and monitor exceptions; partner with IT for system enhancements and issue resolution.
  • Create and manage shift schedules, labor plans, and overtime to align workforce capacity with demand forecasts while controlling labor cost within budget targets.
  • Track, analyze and report KPIs (order accuracy, cycle time, throughput, on-time shipments, labor productivity) and present actionable insights to operations leadership to drive continuous improvement.
  • Lead new-hire onboarding, skills training, cross-training programs, and certification tracking (forklift, pallet jack, PPE) to build a multi-skilled, compliant team.
  • Conduct daily shift huddles and pre-shift briefings to communicate priorities, safety focus areas, and performance targets; escalate issues promptly to operations management.
  • Implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) and work instructions for receiving, put-away, picking, packing, returns, and shipping to standardize processes and reduce variability.
  • Manage returns and reverse logistics activities, including inspection, disposition, restocking or vendor returns, ensuring accurate processing in WMS and minimized write-offs.
  • Oversee equipment operations and maintenance schedules (forklifts, conveyors, pallet jacks, scales), coordinate repairs with maintenance teams or vendors, and ensure safe equipment usage.
  • Coordinate with carriers and transportation providers for scheduling dock appointments, resolving shipment exceptions, and improving on-time departure metrics.
  • Run root-cause analyses for operational issues (inventory variance, shipment errors, delays) and lead cross-functional corrective action projects to prevent recurrence.
  • Manage vendor and supplier relationships for inbound dock coordination, claims processing for damaged goods, and expedite handling when needed to meet customer commitments.
  • Drive lean initiatives and 5S practices on the warehouse floor to improve workflow, reduce waste, minimize safety hazards, and increase throughput.
  • Prepare and manage operating budgets for the warehouse area, monitor spend (labor, overtime, supplies), and recommend cost-saving opportunities while maintaining service levels.
  • Ensure compliance with company quality standards including packing integrity, labeling compliance, and documentation requirements for audits and customer-specific requirements.
  • Administer disciplinary actions and performance improvement plans when necessary, maintaining documentation and ensuring fair, consistent application of HR policies.
  • Support seasonal surges and peak periods by developing contingency staffing plans, temporary labor strategies, and process flexing to maintain service without sacrificing safety.
  • Lead continuous improvement pilots: test new layouts, picking strategies (batch, wave, zone), automation features, or packaging solutions and measure ROI for scale-up decisions.
  • Maintain accurate records and documentation for regulatory inspections, internal audits, and customer compliance checks; prepare the site for third-party and internal audits.
  • Facilitate cross-functional communication with purchasing, customer service, transportation, and sales to resolve order issues, inventory shortages, and special handling requests.
  • Champion a culture of safety, accountability and customer focus by recognizing high-performing employees, promoting best practices, and soliciting frontline ideas for improvement.

Secondary Functions

  • Support process improvement projects by documenting workflows, mapping value stream processes, and piloting efficiency gains.
  • Assist in analyzing labor models and productivity data to recommend staffing and shift design improvements.
  • Partner with procurement to ensure warehouse supplies, PPE and packaging materials are stocked and within budget.
  • Participate in cross-functional planning for facility expansions, equipment installations, or WMS upgrades, providing operational input and acceptance testing.
  • Support ad-hoc operational reporting needs and collaborate with analytics to refine dashboards and KPI definitions used by leadership.
  • Mentor high-potential associates for career development and identify internal promotion candidates to fill leadership pipeline needs.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) operation and administration (e.g., Manhattan, Oracle/WMS, Blue Yonder/JDA, HighJump).
  • Strong inventory control techniques: cycle counting, ABC analysis, reconciliation, and shrink reduction.
  • Proficiency with handheld RF scanners, barcode technology, and basic warehouse automation interfaces.
  • Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, formulas) and experience using KPI dashboards and reporting tools.
  • Knowledge of shipping and parcel carrier processes (UPS, FedEx, LTL carriers) and documentation (BOLs, packing lists, proofs of delivery).
  • Forklift and powered industrial truck operations knowledge; ability to enforce certification and safe operation standards.
  • Understanding of OSHA regulations, DOT requirements, hazardous materials handling, PPE requirements, and safe lifting practices.
  • Labor planning, shift scheduling, and capacity forecasting to align workforce with demand.
  • Familiarity with lean methodologies (5S, Kaizen) and continuous improvement tools (root cause analysis, PDCA).
  • Basic budget management and cost-control experience for labor, supplies and operational expenses.
  • Experience with ERP and order management systems integration, and ability to coordinate with IT for system changes.

Soft Skills

  • Strong leadership and people-management skills with emphasis on coaching, motivation and performance development.
  • Clear verbal and written communication, able to coordinate across shifts and with cross-functional partners.
  • Problem-solving and analytical thinking to identify issues, quantify impacts, and drive corrective actions.
  • Time management and prioritization skills to balance competing operational demands during high-volume periods.
  • Conflict resolution and interpersonal skills to manage workforce disputes, absenteeism, and disciplinary processes.
  • Attention to detail and quality orientation to maintain high levels of order accuracy and compliance.
  • Adaptability and resilience in fast-paced, frequently changing operational environments.
  • Customer-service mindset and ability to translate customer requirements into operational tasks.
  • Decision-making under pressure with ability to escalate appropriately and keep operations moving.
  • Coaching and mentoring aptitude to develop team skills and internal bench strength.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED required.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, or related field preferred.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Supply Chain Management
  • Logistics & Transportation
  • Business Administration
  • Industrial/Operations Management
  • Occupational Safety & Health

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 3–7 years in warehouse operations, with at least 1–3 years in a supervisory or lead role.

Preferred:

  • 5+ years of progressive warehouse experience including supervising teams, managing WMS-driven workflows, and owning KPIs for accuracy, productivity and safety.
  • Prior experience with high-volume distribution centers, cross-docking, cold-storage or e-commerce fulfillment is a plus.
  • Demonstrated track record of implementing continuous improvement initiatives and managing seasonal volume surges.
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