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Job description: Retail Warehouse Manager
As a warehouse manager, your role is to plan and coordinate all operations in the warehouse. The warehouse could be located at a retail superstore, but also at distribution depots and manufacturing plants.
Your typical tasks include: working closely with clients, suppliers and transport companies; planning the delivery and dispatch of goods; monitoring and setting aside storage space; tracking stock levels and making sure stock is stored correctly and safely, for example chemicals or food.
As well as these tasks, you would also be involved with more 'people oriented' jobs such as planning work rotas for warehouse operatives and supervisors, organising recruitment and staff training and dealing with disciplinary issues.
Also on your list of responsibilities would be security arrangements at the warehouse, scheduling maintenance, repair and replacement of equipment, and working with other departments, such as quality control or production.
Hours and Environment
You would normally work 37 to 40 hours a week, although shiftwork is common, including evenings and weekends.
As manager, your work would be mainly office based, but expect to spend time on the warehouse floor as well.
Skills and Interests
To be a warehouse manager, actual or potential, you will need:
- Good numeracy and IT skills, particularly spreadsheets and databases
- The ability to plan and organise work schedules
- A calm, level-headed approach
- The ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
- Good decision-making skills
- Leadership, motivational and teamworking abilities
- Good spoken and written communication skills
Entry
You can find employment in this sector with previous supervisory experience and qualifications in warehouse and distribution operations. Supervisory experience in other areas of retail can also be acceptable. A forklift licence would also be helpful in some cases.
To be taken on as a management trainee you'll need a foundation degree, BTEC HNC/HND or a degree. Relevant college and university courses include logistics, supply chain management and transport management.
For colleges and universities offering foundation degrees, HNDs and degrees see Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Check with the college for their exact entry requirements.
Training
You'll find there's a range of on-the-job training available for warehouse management, including: NVQ's in Distribution, Warehousing and Storage Operations Level 3, Logistics Operations Management Level 3 and Integrated Logistics Support Management Level 4.
There is also a BTEC Professional Diploma in Logistics at Level 4, as well as postgraduate degrees in subjects such as transport planning, supply chain management and logistics.
Alternatively, you could take a certificate, diploma or advanced diploma through the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT UK). CILT also offers a Professional Development Scheme and a distance learning postgraduate MSc in Logistics, in partnership with Aston University. See their website for more details.
Opportunities
The outlook is bright. There are around 70,000 management positions alone, in all areas of the UK. Jobs tend to be concentrated in the South East, North West and Midlands.
For advertised positions, look in your local press, on company websites and recruitment agencies.
With training and experience, you can look for promotion to more senior positions, such as regional or national operations manager or director.
Annual Income
The annual income section is intended as a guideline only.
Starting salaries for graduates are from £18,000 to £22,000.With experience this rises to between £25,000 and £35,000.
Senior supply chain managers can earn up to £60,000.
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