How to hire a warehouse lead

How to hire a warehouse lead, step by step

Here's a step-by-step warehouse lead hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a warehouse lead job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new warehouse lead
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a warehouse lead do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The warehouse lead hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A warehouse lead's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, warehouse leads from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents warehouse lead salaries for various positions.

   Type of Warehouse Lead	Description	Hourly rate
   Warehouse Lead		$12-29
   Shipping And Receiving Supervisor	A shipping and receiving supervisor streamlines the shipping process for a more efficient company. The supervisors oversee and maintain the supplies and inventory through product receipt, storage, and delivery... Show more	$13-22
   Receiving Supervisor	A receiving supervisor manages and directs the activities of teams receiving and handling deliveries and items. Receiving supervisors coordinate and support the operations in their department... Show more	$13-23

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • Ladders
   • Pallets
   • RF
   • Sales Floor
   • Logistics
   • Math
   • Safety Procedures
   • Shipping Receiving
   • Warehouse Operations
   • Working Independently
   • Culinary
   • Work Ethic
   • Inventory Control

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Help manage an accurate, revolving FIFO inventory and rigorously investigate any discrepancies.
   • Utilize AS400 computer maintaining data.
   • Enter and transfer products' data in ERP systems.
   • Assist with developing a new ERP system concentrating on warehousing functions.
   • Process all RTV transactions and prepare items for return as per vendor.
   • Process paperwork of RMA's and RTV's as directed from purchasing dept.

   More warehouse lead duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your warehouse lead job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A warehouse lead can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, warehouse leads' average salary in oklahoma is 41% less than in connecticut.
   • Seniority. Entry-level warehouse leads 56% less than senior-level warehouse leads.
   • Certifications. A warehouse lead with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a warehouse lead's salary.

   Average warehouse lead salary

   $41,281yearly

   $19.85 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level warehouse lead salary

   $27,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 29, 2025

   Average warehouse lead salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Pennsylvania	$51,520	$25
   2	Massachusetts	$49,854	$24
   3	New York	$49,526	$24
   4	Nevada	$45,646	$22
   5	California	$45,312	$22
   6	Ohio	$44,247	$21
   7	North Carolina	$44,175	$21
   8	Wisconsin	$43,969	$21
   9	Minnesota	$43,230	$21
   10	Oregon	$42,710	$21
   11	Washington	$42,576	$20
   12	Colorado	$42,140	$20
   13	Illinois	$42,103	$20
   14	Indiana	$41,869	$20
   15	Georgia	$40,945	$20
   16	Texas	$39,614	$19
   17	Arizona	$39,207	$19
   18	Kansas	$39,176	$19
   19	Nebraska	$38,952	$19
   20	Florida	$38,950	$19

   Average warehouse lead salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Silicon Valley Bank	$113,632	$54.63
   2	Baker Hughes	$96,596	$46.44	8
   3	Accenture	$84,284	$40.52	48
   4	ABB	$77,108	$37.07	10
   5	Bloomberg	$74,056	$35.60
   6	Morgan Stanley	$66,016	$31.74
   7	Keshav Consulting	$64,652	$31.08
   8	BNY Mellon	$64,419	$30.97
   9	ALDI USA	$62,737	$30.16	51
   10	Key Food	$62,238	$29.92
   11	Satwic	$61,539	$29.59
   12	Supermicro	$60,070	$28.88
   13	Uline	$59,856	$28.78	29
   14	Church & Dwight Co.	$58,046	$27.91	1
   15	Oldcastle Infrastructure	$57,910	$27.84	12
   16	Pactiv	$57,452	$27.62	18
   17	Air Liquide	$57,452	$27.62
   18	Anheuser-Busch	$57,413	$27.60	8
   19	Tesla	$57,160	$27.48	8
   20	VLink	$56,622	$27.22

4. Writing a warehouse lead job description

   A job description for a warehouse lead role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a warehouse lead job description:

   Warehouse lead job description example

   You will lead onsite warehouse activities including shipping, receiving, and inventory of parts to support the commercial refrigeration service and installation teams. You will also superintend the warehouse/office property. You will report to the Installation Manager. You will have one full-time warehouse associate and one full-time warehouse driver as direct reports.
   
   Manage the receiving, staging, parts shipping, equipment and supplies to support service and installation operations
   
   Maintain an accurate parts inventory by determining levels of product to fulfill installation and service orders
   Identify excess and obsolete inventory Oversee material handling including MSDS, safety equipment, and local fleet management (including licensing and insurance) Accountable for logistics for inbound and outbound freight from the office location Direct material transfers and daily log of shipments Support year-end physical inventory of warehouse/trucks/parts room Additional responsibilities as assigned
   Qualifications :
   High school diploma 5+ years' experience Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite Flexibility to work outside normal working hours Working knowledge of commercial refrigeration and HVAC Forklift certification or willingness to obtain Must have basic math skills including an understanding of weight, measurement and volume Able to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 100 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus
   Our organization offers benefits that are the best fit for you at every stage of your career:
   
   Comprehensive Insurance Plans: Health, Dental and Vision, 401k with Company Matching Contribution, Discretionary 401k Company Contribution, Tuition Reimbursement Program, Life/Disability Insurance, Family Leave, Panasonic Employee Discounts, Paid Vacation and Holidays, Wellness Program, Identity Protection, Community Stewardship, Employee Assistance Program and more
   
   Hussmann is a subsidiary of Panasonic USA. Finding a better way has always been the Hussmann way. Since 1906, our focus on innovation has helped food retailers succeed. We hold over a 122 U.S. patents as well as 320 international patents from more than a dozen countries. We collaborate with customers across a variety of food retail segments as we work towards fulfilling a promise for better businesses, better partners, and a better world.
   
   Hussmann is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to veteran status, disability, age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, genetics, marital status, pregnancy, or any other non-merit based factor.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find warehouse leads for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any warehouse leads they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level warehouse leads with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your warehouse lead job on Zippia to find and recruit warehouse lead candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit warehouse leads, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new warehouse lead

   Once you've found the warehouse lead candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new warehouse lead first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a warehouse lead?