Large organisations such as Asda, Amazon, B&Q, the list continues, as well as medium size companies require a highly skilled warehouse manager to oversee receipt, storage, re-packaging, and dispatch of materials and goods.
As part of, often a global, supply chain process, efficient warehouse managers are skilled at working within a fast-paced industry to organise goods, processes, systems and people (as well as stakeholders) to ensure customers receive their products on time.
This is a technical position that only certain career professionals can gain. Therefore, employers will test applicants with a range of technical and competency-based job interview questions.
Predicting the questions for a warehouse manager position, allows candidates to prepare their example answers.
Warehouse Management Interview Questions (with answers)
Give me an overview of your warehouse management experience
It’s not enough just to state the number of years an applicant has had in warehouse management, or to talks about the entry route into this position. Instead, the employer is looking to hear an overview of the candidate’s skill set.
An example opening line could follow in the lines of; “In all my previous warehouse management roles I have created systems, processes and procedures to ensure the warehouse is a successful part of the supply-chain….”
Once an overview has been given, regarding the interviewee’s experience, specifics relevant to the warehouse sub-sector can be stated. There are too many warehouse niches to record here, but an example maybe “…With over 10 years of experience specialising in cold storage transportation, I have an excellent working knowledge of store temperature-controlled products, such as food and pharmaceuticals, and hazardous materials….”
The applicant does not need to go into too much detail here, as additional competency-based job interview questions will be asked throughout the interview. The goal, when answering this initial interview question, is to create interest.
The answer can then be ended with additional references to standard job duties; “…my ability to build strong working relationships with suppliers allows me to gain the best prices for materials….”
How does the warehouse contribute to the business objectives?
Employers understand the importance of warehouse operations in terms of having a successful business. For some businesses, such as retail, the outfacing store is viewed (by the public) to be the key element of the business, as many people don’t consider the importance of marketing, accounts, logistics, buyers and of course the warehouse operations.
When hiring a warehouse manager, the interviewer will want to ensure that the hired candidate understands how their department is one of many cogs in the successful business machine.
When replying to this job interview question, be sure to explain how the warehouse, along with all other departments, work collaboratively, but also explain how, as a warehouse manager, you help the individual cogs connect. Give an example of how you have worked with other department managers on new projects, or, as an example on specific processes “I have found one way to decrease overhead cost is to work closely with the finance manager when purchasing materials or goods. Most warehouse managers simply purchase the required materials when needed, instead, I make a point of working the finance manager to discuss projected volumes, prices and approved suppliers, and look at ways to decrease cost…”
Give an example of coordinating incoming and exporting goods and materials?
After a couple of ‘opening’ interview questions, the interviewer will ask all applicants competency based interview questions, checking that the applicant has the skills, knowledge and experience to be a suitable member of the management team.
To answer the ‘example’ interview question, start the reply by describing the warehouse environment to ensure the employer understands the barriers the applicant faced “While working at X organisation I was responsible for incoming of raw materials (give detail) that was manufactured into goods, that I exported all over Europe…”
Be specific with the problem “… the barrier we faced was the number of incoming goods that would arrive at any one time, creating a backlog in the yard….” When stating any problem, go into detail how the barrier disrupted the day to day operations of the warehouse.
To finish, the applicant can make themselves stand out by explaining the solution they created and the positive outcome that resulted from this “The solution was down to communication. A number of suppliers wouldn’t commit to a specific delivery time on the date of delivery and would turn up between 9-4 because of their busy schedule. I telephoned each individual supplier explaining that I wanted to help them meet their schedule targets, by offering them a timeslot, this way their drivers wouldn’t have to wait in the ques, which could last as long as 2hrs….”
Explain what process you use to manage stock?
Stock management, stock rotation and stock control is one of the key aspects of a warehouse manager’s job role. Each warehouse and each warehouse manager will have their own system for the management of stock based on its industry.
When answering a systems interview question, the interviewee can make it easy for the employer to understand by using a ‘step method’ interview technique. Simply, break the whole process into 3 steps. Each step depends on your industry, but the goal here is to describe a stock management system simply to show your high level of knowledge.
“There are 3 steps to managing stock; step 1 stock control…where I….Step 2 stock rotation…to ensure stock is used within….Step 3…stock control….”
How is technology changing this sector?
The whole sector is being changed due to the integration of technology, from Amazon using warehouse robots to live to track deliveries. A quick ‘google’ and anyone can find a list of warehouse technology that will be integrated into most warehouses over the next few years.
To answer the ‘warehouse technology’ question, start by listing a number of technologies and pick one, relevant to the employer’s sector to delve into. Give, both, the pro’s and con’s of the technology “robotics in the warehouse, like the amazon robots, are very useful as they streamline the supply chain process, saving on overhead cost, but unlike humans, the robots cant adapt, in the moment, to any unforeseen situations.”
Give an example of quality control?
Each organisation has its own systems for quality control. Once employed the successful candidate will be trained in the internal quality control processes. Therefore, this interview question isn’t looking for interviewees to state all the quality control steps for their current employer, instead, the employer is checking if each candidate understands the importance of quality control steps.
This answer is better started by stating that the candidate is very experienced in the implementation and checking of quality. Followed on by explaining the benefits of completing quality checks through storytelling; set the scene; how an order was ready for dispatch, create a hook; the issue with the product and the harm this could cause to a customer(s) and positive ending; how the quality checks uncovered the issue and saved the day.
What is the main points of the Health and Safety at work act in relation to warehouse management?
The Health and Safety at Work act describes all the key points a warehouse manager needs to know. When answering questions around H&S in the workplace you are not required to state each of the individual acts. Instead, you need to reassure the employer that you are fully aware of the day to day actions a warehouse manager needs to take to stop or minimise any workplace accidents.
Confirm, confidently, the importance of health and safety to you as a warehouse manager. Describe how you train, monitor and enforce that all team members follow the regulations set down to keep everyone safe. When working within a specialist area that uses chemical, plant machinery, industrial materials, give additional details on the specific steps you need to take within this industry.
What is the most important thing to consider when recruiting new staff
All managers will be involved in the recruit of new team members. There is always, at least one question relating to staff recruitment, staff retention, or staff development.
Experienced warehouse managers can answer this question easily relating to a previous experience. To gain additional points on the interview scorecard, think about the culture of the new organisation that you are interviewing for. To understand how an organisation operates applicants can embed company culture questions into their job interviews.
By gaining an insight to what this company value, you can link this to the answer of staff recruitment. As an example, if the employers deems staff development important, you can answer the interview question by focusing on how you always develop, train and coach your team, leading them to hit all targets.
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