4977 jobs found for warehouse supervisor

everything you need to know about warehouse supervisor jobs.

If you have many years of experience organizing and coordinating the storage and transfer of materials using warehouse equipment and inventory systems, you might be thinking about advancing your career by becoming a warehouse supervisor. 

Warehouse supervisors are management employees who oversee the logistics of storage, retrieval and distribution of materials needed to produce and sell goods or services. They hire, train and supervise a variety of warehouse staff to help businesses run smoothly and meet commitments to their customers.

In a warehousing career, you belong to the supply chain management industry, one of the most essential economic sectors in the U.S., employing hundreds of thousands of people in a range of positions and industries.

You’ll need a thorough understanding of business operations and client needs so you can plan schedules, use resources efficiently and manage complex tasks. Many warehouse supervisors start as workers and learn about their organization through years of hard work as receiving/shipping or pick and pack staff. Your experience, combined with leadership abilities and a good work record, can pave a path to this key management position.

average warehouse supervisor salaries in the U.S.

Warehouse supervisor salaries in the U.S. depend on your location, industry and experience. Pay rates can range from$26 to $50 per hour.. Your starting pay will be at the lower end of the range, but the more experience you have as a warehouse supervisor, the higher your earning potential.

what warehouse supervisor jobs entail

As a warehouse supervisor, you represent your employer in the warehouse as the front line of management. You’ll be responsible for hiring, training and supervising forklift operators, stock clerks, shipping/receiving clerks, general laborers and material movers. You’ll create complex staff schedules and ensure resources and systems are available and working properly. You’ll monitor productivity and always be searching for process improvements to service the needs of internal business units or external clients.

You’ll develop good relationships with staff using superior communication and interpersonal skills. Workers who like and trust their supervisors willingly take direction with a desire to accomplish their tasks well. As a skilled supervisor, you’ll motivate your team to do the work quickly and accurately. You’ll monitor and assess their skills while ensuring that all safety procedures are followed.

Many industries that hire warehouse supervisors operate in large industrial buildings that operate on shifts around the clock. You could be assigned to supervise any shift in the daytime, afternoon, evening or overnight. You’ll work 40 hours a week with the possibility of overtime, and could report to a logistics or operations manager.

your day-to-day tasks

A successful warehouse supervisor relies on expert communication techniques and highly developed leadership skills. Your conduct is exemplary, and you’ll consistently follow the rules of the workplace while exhibiting the values of your organization. You’ll have numerous other managerial tasks, including:

• planning, organizing and controlling the storage and distribution of supplies and materials using automated systems, records and databases
• researching and developing inventory control systems and procedures
• maintaining inventory by overseeing physical counts, reconciling variances, inputting data and generating detailed inventory reports
• scheduling and budgeting resources to provide service to internal departments and external clients 
• developing procedures and communicating policies to staff
• conducting performance reviews and applying corrective measures or discipline
• maintaining a safe and clean workplace while ensuring workers use safety equipment properly
• arranging for equipment maintenance, repairs or installations
• researching ways to reduce costs, expand storage capacity, speed up order processing or improve processes

where you can work

In any business where you find large volumes of product manufactured, received, stored and shipped, you will find a need for people with experience in warehouse operations. Demand is particularly highest in states like California, Texas and Florida. 

As a warehouse supervisor, you could be employed by importers, exporters, wholesalers, retailers, transport businesses or customs services that need warehouse and logistics services. You could work in any of the following industries:

• food and beverages
• home furnishings
• metals, minerals, petroleum
• automotive
• pharmaceutical
• electronics
• fashion and apparel

what you bring to the table

You will need several years of supervisory experience in facility operations or a related area. Your good judgment and decision-making skills, plus an eye for accuracy and productivity will help you resolve problems and make improvements to inventory systems to meet customer service standards. In addition, you’ll need the following:

• ability to relate to all levels: workers, managers and business owners 
• ability to plan, organize and direct work within tight deadlines while paying strict attention to detail
• knowledge of equipment, computerized inventory systems and barcoding procedures used in warehouse and distribution operations
• ability to assess complex systems with a view to maximizing productivity, efficiency and cost savings
• interpersonal skills and the ability to train and motivate others
• ability to evaluate the performance of others and coach them on making improvements
• good judgment, critical thinking, problem-solving, negotiating and decision-making abilities
• computer skills and ability to keep accurate records and write reports
• knowledge of safety rules and how to use personal protective equipment 

training and certifications

Warehouse supervisor jobs don’t require a specific education, but you should at least have a high school graduation diploma. Most employers will look for several years of work experience in a warehouse before considering you for a supervisory position. 

Many employers prefer candidates with a college diploma or university degree in business administration or management. To increase your chances of being promoted and earning a higher salary, consider taking courses in supply chain management, just in time (JIT) strategies, and occupational safety. You should also be certified to operate warehouse equipment such as forklifts, powered pallet jacks and reach lifts. In the U.S., there is no certification needed in order to become a warehouse supervisor, though additional training, like those listed, may be needed depending on the nature of the worksite. 

where your career is headed

While you are a warehouse supervisor, learn as much as you can about your organization. Research trends in inventory control systems and keep up to date with breakthroughs in innovative technologies that could improve your organization’s bottom line, like electronic data interchange and radio frequency

identification tags. Develop a customer service attitude and offer solutions to other departments. Reach out to help new staff members understand how your department fits into the overall success of the business. 

With your reputation for excellence and many years of experience in operational and management issues, you could step up to a senior role. Your history of contributing to business success could qualify you for a position such as plant manager, director of operations or general manager. 

Ready to start searching for warehouse supervisor jobs? Contact Randstad USA today to get started.