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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Warehouse Support Analyst

💰 $40,000 - $65,000

OperationsSupply ChainLogisticsWarehouseInventory

🎯 Role Definition

The Warehouse Support Analyst is a hands-on operational specialist who blends warehouse systems expertise with inventory control best practices to ensure accurate product flows, efficient labor utilization, and timely order fulfillment. This role is responsible for analyzing operational metrics, troubleshooting WMS and scanning exceptions, driving continuous improvement initiatives, and partnering with cross-functional teams (operations, procurement, customer service, and carriers) to resolve root causes of disruptions. The ideal candidate is detail oriented, data savvy (Excel/SQL-friendly), and experienced with warehouse management systems, barcoding/RF scanning, and cycle count / physical inventory methodologies.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Warehouse Associate / Lead
  • Inventory Control Specialist
  • Logistics Coordinator

Advancement To:

  • Warehouse Operations Supervisor / Manager
  • Inventory Control Manager
  • Supply Chain Analyst / Continuous Improvement Lead

Lateral Moves:

  • Logistics Planner
  • Shipping & Receiving Supervisor
  • Returns & Reverse Logistics Analyst

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Own day-to-day inventory accuracy by planning, executing and reconciling cycle counts and physical inventories across assigned SKU ranges, using system tools and audit techniques to identify and eliminate root causes of discrepancies.
  • Investigate and resolve WMS transaction exceptions (mis-picks, overages, shortages, putaway mismatches) by tracing paperless and RF scan histories, collaborating with operations leads to correct inventory records and update procedures.
  • Monitor and analyze daily warehouse KPIs (inventory accuracy, order fill rate, on-time shipping, dock-to-stock time, productivity by zone) and produce concise dashboards and trend reports for operations managers and senior leadership.
  • Execute inbound receiving and outbound shipping investigations, including matching ASN/PO data to receipts, researching carton and pallet exceptions, and coordinating corrective vendor or carrier claims when required.
  • Maintain and configure master data in the Warehouse Management System (locations, item attributes, handling units, replenishment thresholds), ensuring system settings support efficient picking, replenishment and cross-docking.
  • Lead root cause analysis on recurring inventory, scanning, or fulfillment issues using 5 Whys, Pareto analysis, and process mapping; translate findings into Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) updates and training plans.
  • Support pick-path optimization and slotting projects by analyzing velocity, cube, and SKU affinity data, and recommending location reassignments to improve travel time and picker productivity.
  • Manage exception workflows for returns (RMA), damaged goods, and quarantine processes—documenting disposition, updating system quantities, and coordinating with Quality/Procurement to resolve disposition decisions.
  • Partner with IT and WMS vendor support teams to test and validate system patches, configuration changes, and RF application updates prior to production rollout.
  • Validate and troubleshoot barcoding/RF device issues, label formats, and scanner-to-WMS integration failures; coordinate device reseating, firmware updates, and replacement logistics as needed.
  • Coordinate inbound appointment scheduling and carrier unloading priorities to align dock capacity with daily throughput plans and minimize detention and demurrage exposure.
  • Drive continuous improvement projects (Lean, Kaizen, 5S) in the warehouse environment focused on reducing touches, minimizing errors, and lowering unit costs per order.
  • Prepare and maintain audit-ready documentation for inventory control programs and cycle count results, supporting internal and external audits with detailed reconciliation records.
  • Provide operational support during peak season planning, special promotions, and product launches by modeling labor demand, participating in contingency planning, and supporting temporary process changes.
  • Train and coach warehouse associates on inventory procedures, scanning best practices, and quality checkpoints to ensure compliance with established SOPs and safety standards.
  • Reconcile inventory variances for month-end and quarter-end close processes, partnering with Finance to ensure accurate COGS and inventory valuation reporting.
  • Create and maintain exception escalation matrices and process flow charts that clarify responsibilities and SLAs across operations, procurement, and customer service teams.
  • Conduct slotting and capacity planning assessments to ensure optimal pallet and carton storage utilization while maintaining FIFO/FEFO and other inventory control rules.
  • Implement and maintain cycle count sampling plans and statistical tolerances, and adjust frequency based on SKU risk, cost, and historical variance trends.
  • Support returns-to-vendor and vendor-managed inventory processes by coordinating inspection, disposition, and replenishment activities in partnership with suppliers.
  • Manage small projects such as layout changes, conveyor or racking adjustments, and labelling improvements, ensuring minimal disruption to operations and documented process updates.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for operational escalations outside regular business hours (if applicable), coordinating on-call resources and communication to resolve critical inventory or fulfillment issues quickly.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist in creating training materials, job aids, and quick reference guides for new WMS features or revised inventory procedures.
  • Support ad-hoc analysis requests from supply chain planning, procurement, and commercial teams — delivering clear, actionable insights on inventory aging, slow movers, and excess stock.
  • Participate in cross-functional kaizen events and pilot programs to validate new technologies (automation, conveyors, voice picking, mobile scanning) and measure operational impact.
  • Contribute to vendor and carrier performance reviews by providing data-driven feedback on inbound quality, on-time performance, and damage trends.
  • Help maintain compliance with safety (OSHA), environmental, and regulatory requirements through participation in safety audits and documentation of corrective actions.
  • Provide input to budget and capital requests for warehouse operations by estimating labor impacts, tool costs, and potential savings from process changes.
  • Facilitate knowledge transfer sessions to disseminate best practices and post-implementation learnings across multiple warehouse locations when applicable.
  • Support sustainability initiatives by identifying opportunities to reduce packaging waste, optimize pallet usage, and improve load consolidation.
  • Assist in configuring and supporting integrations between WMS and ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite) to ensure accurate master data and transaction flows.
  • Participate in seasonal staffing planning and vendor selection for temporary labor providers, ensuring onboarding and productivity targets are achieved.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Advanced proficiency with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) such as Manhattan, SAP EWM, Oracle WMS, Blue Yonder, or HighJump — including configuration, transaction troubleshooting, and master data maintenance.
  • Strong Excel skills (VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, pivot tables, advanced formulas, data visualization) for inventory reconciliation and reporting; familiarity with Power Query and Power BI is a plus.
  • Hands-on experience with RF scanning, barcode label formats (GS1), handheld device troubleshooting, and mobile data collection workflows.
  • Knowledge of inventory control methodologies: cycle counting, physical inventory reconciliation, FIFO/FEFO, lot/batch tracing, and serial number tracking.
  • Experience with transport and logistics processes (ASN, POD, appointment scheduling, cross-docking) and familiarity with EDI messages relevant to warehouse operations.
  • Basic SQL skills for querying operational databases and generating ad-hoc reports; ability to join transaction tables and extract inventory snapshots.
  • Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, or other continuous improvement frameworks and ability to lead small-scale process improvement projects.
  • Competence in using ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, NetSuite) to validate PO/receipts and support month-end inventory close activities.
  • Understanding of warehouse equipment and automation components (conveyors, sorters, palletizers, AS/RS) to coordinate issue resolution and capacity planning.
  • Data quality and master data governance experience — ensuring SKU, UOM, and location attributes are consistent across systems.
  • Experience creating dashboards and KPI scorecards that track productivity, accuracy, and SLA performance for operational leadership.
  • Familiarity with safety and compliance standards applicable to warehouse operations, including OSHA and DOT regulations.

Soft Skills

  • Strong analytical mindset with the ability to translate data into actionable operational recommendations and prioritized corrective actions.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication — able to clearly explain technical WMS issues to non-technical stakeholders and prepare executive summaries.
  • Problem-solving orientation with persistence to drive issues to closure and coordinate multiple teams to remove barriers.
  • Attention to detail and high sense of ownership when investigating inventory discrepancies and managing reconciliation processes.
  • Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced warehouse environment and remain calm under operational pressure.
  • Collaborative team player who builds strong relationships across operations, procurement, IT, and customer service functions.
  • Coaching and training capability — able to present new procedures and influence frontline behavior to improve compliance and performance.
  • Time management and organization skills for managing recurring tasks (cycle counts) while supporting ad-hoc investigations and projects.
  • Change management aptitude — able to support rollouts of new tools and processes and drive adoption through stakeholder engagement.
  • Customer service focus with an orientation to meeting internal and external SLAs and ensuring positive outcomes for downstream stakeholders.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or equivalent; additional technical or trade certifications preferred.

Preferred Education:

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

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Supply Chain Management
  • Logistics / Transportation
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Business Administration
  • Information Systems

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 2–5 years of progressive experience in warehouse operations, inventory control, or logistics analysis.

Preferred:

  • 3+ years supporting WMS configuration and inventory reconciliation, with demonstrated success driving inventory accuracy improvements and cross-functional process changes.
  • Experience in multi-site operations or distribution centers supporting high-volume e-commerce, retail, or manufacturing environments.
  • Certifications or coursework in Lean, Six Sigma, APICS/ASCM, or WMS-specific training are a plus.
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