what is a warehouse supervisor?

As a warehouse supervisor, you oversee and coordinate all warehouse activities. Your duties include ordering warehouse supplies and assigning duties and responsibilities to warehouse workers. With your expertise in organizing and coordinating warehouse operations, you can oversee the movement of items throughout the warehouse and the people working there.

Your responsibility is to provide customer satisfaction, which you achieve by ensuring the timely delivery of the company's products. As a warehouse supervisor, you contribute to customer service by overseeing the receiving, storage and delivery of items. You ensure customer orders are well packaged and arrive at the intended destination in good condition.

As the senior team leader in the warehouse, you make sure items are stored in good condition and that systems are well organized. You direct employees on the equipment and inventory procedures. You also regularly review warehousing processes to improve efficiency. Other duties of a warehouse supervisor include hiring and managing warehouse employees.

As a warehouse supervisor, you require exceptional organizational and time management skills. Time management skills help you prioritize tasks based on urgency and plan efficient work schedules to manage daily operations.

Would working as a warehouse supervisor suit your organizational and time management skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in the role of a warehouse supervisor.

warehouse supervisor jobs
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warehouse supervisor jobs

According to Job Bank, the average salary of a warehouse supervisor in Canada is $52,650 per year. When you are new to the role, you start with a lower annual salary of $45,825 due to minimal experience and educational qualifications. When you gain additional qualifications and improve your skills, you have the potential to earn over $91,318 yearly.

how to increase your salary as a warehouse supervisor

As a warehouse supervisor, your earnings depend on experience and educational qualifications. When you have only entry-level experience, you start with a salary on the low end of the pay scale. Your earnings gradually increase as you gain valuable experience and build on your qualifications. While most companies focus on experience, having forklift and other heavy equipment operator licenses improves your earning potential. Having additional certifications in warehouse and distribution management also boosts your earnings.

The complexity of your duties can also influence your earnings. For instance, when you are in charge of a small retail store, you oversee fewer workers and perform simple duties that are less complex compared to a large factory. Hence, working for a large manufacturing company with unlimited resources improves your salary prospects. When you work in a big warehouse and supervise teams of warehouse workers, you frequently deal with bulk shipping and complex delivery orders, so you can negotiate a higher wage.

download our salary guide
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types of warehouse supervisors

Warehouse supervisors can work in retail stores or manufacturing warehouses:

  • Manufacturing warehouse supervisor: you are in charge of receiving raw materials and distributing them to the production facilities. You also keep track of the products before they are distributed to retail stores and customers.
  • Retail warehouse supervisor: in a retail environment, you are in charge of the storage facilities. You ensure the company has sufficient inventory to fulfill customer orders. As a warehouse supervisor, you also organize the storage space to ensure goods are stored at the correct temperatures.
man checking inventory in warehouse
man checking inventory in warehouse
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working as a warehouse supervisor

If you enjoy working in warehouse environments, consider becoming a warehouse supervisor. Here are the typical duties, responsibilities and work schedules of warehouse supervisors.

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warehouse supervisor skills and education

The requirements for becoming a warehouse supervisor include:

  • Post-secondary education: a bachelor’s degree is not mandatory for becoming a warehouse supervisor, but you should pursue a diploma in procurement and supply chain management. A two- or three-year course in production or manufacturing also prepares you for the role.
  • Experience: you require extensive experience to become a warehouse supervisor. You can start with entry-level jobs to learn how warehouses operate and gain valuable experience. Build your supervisory skills with professional certifications, such as the Supply Chain Warehousing Certificate by ASCM Canada. If your duties involve operating a forklift, you require a forklift licence.

competencies and characteristics of warehouse supervisors

Warehouse supervisors require the following skills and competencies:

  • Communication skills: as a warehouse supervisor, you keep the team informed of issues arising at the warehouse. Your communication skills help you provide clear instructions, explain the work activities, and keep workers aligned with the objectives of the business.
  • Leadership skills: as a warehouse supervisor, you require leadership skills to supervise activities in the warehouse. Your ability to lead helps you motivate your team and maintain a positive work environment. With good leadership, you inspire workers to achieve operational goals.
  • Knowledge of machines: as a warehouse supervisor, you require basic knowledge of pallet jacks, forklifts and heavy equipment operation. You should know how to use warehouse machines to move items from the ground level to high shelves. Operating some of the machines requires certification and licences, as well as knowledge of warehouse safety standards.
  • Time management: as a warehouse supervisor, you require good time management skills to manage tasks on time. Your ability to prioritize tasks based on urgency and duration can simplify the operations in a warehouse.
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FAQs about warehouse supervisor jobs

Here, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the profession of a warehouse supervisor.

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meet a recruiter

Make sure your resume is up-to-date, including information about your technical skills and certifications. Then share it with us to connect with a recruiter and be matched with job opportunities.

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