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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Warehouse Assistant Manager

💰 $45,000 - $75,000 (annually, estimated)

OperationsWarehouseLogisticsSupply ChainManagement

🎯 Role Definition

The Warehouse Assistant Manager supports the Warehouse/Distribution Manager by overseeing daily operations of a distribution center or warehouse, ensuring accurate inventory control, efficient order fulfillment, safe material handling, and consistent achievement of productivity and service-level KPIs. This role combines hands-on supervision, operational planning, systems management (WMS/ERP), and continuous improvement leadership to optimize throughput, reduce costs, and maintain regulatory and safety compliance.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Warehouse Team Lead / Lead Associate
  • Shipping & Receiving Supervisor
  • Inventory Control Specialist

Advancement To:

  • Warehouse/Distribution Manager
  • Operations Manager (DC/3PL)
  • Supply Chain Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Inventory Control Manager
  • Logistics Coordinator / Supervisor
  • Materials Planning Analyst

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Supervise daily warehouse operations including receiving, put-away, picking, packing, staging, and shipping to meet on-time delivery and accuracy targets while minimizing damage and returns.
  • Manage and coach a frontline team (associates, lead hands, temp staff), including hiring support, onboarding, shift scheduling, performance reviews, disciplinary actions, and career development plans to build a high-performing workforce.
  • Maintain precise inventory control through daily cycle counts, reconciliation of discrepancies, shrinkage investigations, and coordination of full physical inventories to ensure accuracy within established tolerances.
  • Operate and administer the Warehouse Management System (WMS) and coordinate with ERP systems to ensure transactions (receipts, transfers, shipments) are recorded correctly and system data supports accurate reporting.
  • Analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) such as orders per hour, lines per man-hour, pick accuracy, on-time shipments, OTIF (On-Time In-Full), dock-to-stock time, and labor productivity; create action plans to meet or exceed targets.
  • Lead continuous improvement initiatives (5S, Kaizen, Lean) to optimize workflow, reduce cycle times, improve space utilization, and lower operating costs across the distribution center.
  • Enforce OSHA, DOT, and company safety policies by conducting safety audits, toolbox talks, incident investigations, corrective actions, and ensuring personal protective equipment (PPE) and certifications (forklift, aerial lift) are current.
  • Manage shipping and receiving processes including documentation, carrier coordination, load building, freight cost control, and carrier claims resolution to maintain efficient outbound and inbound operations.
  • Coordinate cross-dock operations and expedited shipments, working closely with transportation and customer service teams to resolve exceptions and meet customer delivery commitments.
  • Oversee returns processing and reverse logistics operations including inspection, disposition (restock, scrap, RMA), and documentation to minimize financial loss and speed resolution.
  • Plan and forecast labor requirements based on seasonal demand, promotions, and order profiles; build accurate labor plans and manage overtime and temps to meet service levels within budget.
  • Ensure facility, equipment, and material handling assets are maintained, scheduled for preventive maintenance, and meet operational and safety standards (conveyor systems, forklifts, pallet jacks, RF devices).
  • Implement and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) and work instructions; ensure all staff understand and follow documented processes for quality, safety, and compliance.
  • Resolve escalated operational issues, coordinating with procurement, quality, inventory control, and customer service to provide fast, customer-focused solutions and root cause corrective actions.
  • Support inventory replenishment strategies including bin location management, slotting optimization, pick path design, and replenishment triggers to maximize picking efficiency and minimize travel time.
  • Manage cost control initiatives including labor, supplies, shrinkage, and vendor service costs; prepare variance explanations and help build the warehouse operating budget.
  • Conduct onboarding and continuous skills training for associates, including WMS navigation, RF scanning, safe forklift operation, ergonomics, and quality standards to reduce errors and increase throughput.
  • Drive data-driven decision making by generating daily/weekly operational reports, trend analysis, and capacity planning to inform manager-level strategy and executive reporting.
  • Support compliance audits and third-party inspections (regulatory, customer, chain-of-custody) by preparing documentation, leading walk-throughs, and implementing corrective action plans.
  • Collaborate with procurement, planning, and sales operations to support new product launches, special projects, SKU introductions, and promotional fulfillment requirements.
  • Coordinate staging and loading for multi-stop routes and pallet consolidation to optimize freight utilization and reduce transportation costs while ensuring correct manifests and bill of lading (BOL).
  • Monitor and enforce quality assurance checkpoints at receiving, picking, and packing to reduce returns and chargebacks and ensure that customer service level agreements (SLAs) are met.
  • Support technology rollouts and enhancements (WMS upgrades, barcode/RF implementations, voice picking, automation) by serving as subject-matter expert, facilitating UAT, and training operational teams.
  • Maintain strong vendor and carrier relationships; negotiate service agreements when appropriate and assist in carrier selection to support business objectives.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist in preparing daily shift briefs, operational briefs for management, and ad-hoc reports for senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
  • Participate in cross-functional projects such as facility expansions, layout redesigns, and automation pilots to improve capacity and efficiency.
  • Cross-train across adjacent functions (inventory control, customer returns, shipping/receiving) to provide coverage during absences and peak periods.
  • Support HR functions such as attendance tracking, shift change approvals, and documentation required for labor compliance.
  • Help develop and maintain training materials, competency checklists, and certifications tracking for all warehouse roles.
  • Coordinate with environmental health & safety (EHS) to maintain incident logs, corrective actions, and safety meeting records.
  • Assist in inventory valuation activities and month-end procedures to support finance and accounting reconciliation.
  • Serve as on-site point of contact for vendor technicians, maintenance crews, and external partners during installations or repairs.
  • Provide after-hours operational support during critical incidents or high-volume periods and participate in on-call rotations when required.
  • Contribute to customer-facing investigations by compiling order histories, shipping documentation, and root cause analyses to resolve disputes.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proficiency with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) such as Blue Yonder/JDA, Manhattan, SAP EWM, or equivalent; ability to execute and troubleshoot transactions.
  • Strong Microsoft Excel skills including VLOOKUP, pivot tables, and basic formulas for operational reporting and data analysis.
  • Experience with RF/barcode scanning devices, mobile computing, and handheld terminal workflows for receiving, picking, and cycle counts.
  • Knowledge of ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics) and how warehouse transactions integrate with purchasing and sales modules.
  • Inventory control methodologies: cycle counting, ABC analysis, blind counts, lot and serial number tracking, and reconciliation procedures.
  • Familiarity with lean manufacturing/operations principles (5S, Kaizen) and continuous improvement tools applied to warehouse environments.
  • Understanding of shipping documentation and compliance: bills of lading (BOL), freight manifests, carrier claims, and basic freight cost management.
  • Certified forklift operator oversight and familiarity with material handling equipment and preventive maintenance scheduling.
  • Ability to read and interpret KPIs, create dashboards, and perform root cause analysis to drive performance improvements.
  • Knowledge of OSHA, DOT, and other regulatory requirements relevant to warehouse safety and hazardous materials handling.

Soft Skills

  • Strong leadership and people-management skills with experience coaching frontline teams and developing supervisors.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills for cross-functional collaboration and clear direction to hourly staff.
  • Problem-solving orientation and calm decision-making under pressure during high-volume or exception-heavy periods.
  • Time management and prioritization skills to balance operational demands, projects, and administrative tasks.
  • Attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in inventory and order fulfillment processes.
  • Conflict resolution and negotiation skills to manage vendor disputes, internal escalations, and staffing issues.
  • Adaptability and resilience in dynamic environments with shifting priorities and seasonal demand peaks.
  • Customer-focused mindset to maintain service levels and respond to escalations with urgency.
  • Analytical mindset with the ability to translate data into actionable improvement plans.
  • Coaching and training aptitude to upskill associates and transfer operational knowledge effectively.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED; required.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate degree 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 Engineering
  • Operations Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 2–5 years of warehouse operations experience, with at least 1–2 years in a supervisory or lead role.

Preferred:

  • 3–7 years of progressive experience in distribution center operations, 3PL environments, or retail distribution with direct supervisory responsibility and demonstrated experience with WMS and continuous improvement projects.
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