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Warehouse management is a complex job that requires juggling multiple responsibilities and tasks and executing them quickly and safely. Both hiring managers and candidates want to be sure to emphasize the importance of safety and getting things done on time so that the warehouse can run smoothly.
Key Takeaways:
Be aware of the common warehouse manager interview questions that most candidates are asked. Of course, candidates likely won’t be asked all of them, but being prepared for the common questions allows you to come off as more polished, professional, and knowledgeable.
When coming up with interview questions for a warehouse manager, it’s important to consider what the hiring organization prioritizes in a candidate. Focus on questions that will help determine both expertise and temperament, which will show if they’ll fit into the company culture.
Here are some standard interview questions warehouse managers are asked. Example answers are included as a way to show what hiring managers are typically looking for, as well as what a good answer looks like.
Tell me about yourself
This common interview question is used to assess personality and cultural fit. It can also help determine how invested the candidate is in the profession and how long they’re likely to stay at this particular job. As a candidate, it’s best to emphasize your commitment to the field.
Example Answer:
I’ve been working in warehouses in one form or another for ten years now. I started out as an associate as I worked my way through school, then moved into management. I do my best to consider the perspectives of both management and associates in order to keep the environment safe and efficient.
Outside of work, my hobbies are cooking and reading. I enjoy trying out new recipes and learning more about food science.
Why should we hire you?
Interviewers are typically impressed by interviewees who have done their homework, so it’s best to try to hit the traits that were mentioned in the job description. This question is also another way to assess personality and find out if the candidate is a good fit for the company culture.
Example Answer:
I’ve worked in warehouses for the past ten years, so I have experience in how to run one efficiently, as well as with policies that aren’t always as effective. I spent a few years working as an associate, so I’m familiar with that part of the job as well, and I seek to help the associates stay safe while maintaining efficiency.
Additionally, as being a warehouse manager is a physically demanding job, I do my best to make sure that I eat a good diet and stay active, even outside of work.
Why do you want to work here?
While the majority of people go to work for a paycheck, it’s better if the candidate is actually interested in working at the organization that’s interviewing them.
Changing jobs is disruptive for all parties, so it’s best for workers to prioritize applying to places where they actually want to work and for employers to hire people who actually want to work there.
Example Answer:
I’ve been working in smaller warehouses for most of my career, and while I enjoy the camaraderie of a small team, I’d like to try working with a larger organization again. I want to challenge myself by working in a larger operation.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
The candidate’s goals should be reasonable and in alignment with the employers’. The majority of interviewers want to know that the interviewee has looked ahead to the future and has some ambition.
Example Answer:
While there are aspects of working directly in the warehouse I find very fulfilling, I’m hoping to move up into logistics management in the next five years. I won’t be young forever, and I want to make sure that I’m in a stable position that I can do even if I decline physically.
Logistics has always fascinated me, and that’s what I got my degree in, so I’ve been aiming for that for a while.
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Self-awareness is something that can make a candidate appealing. That being said, a candidate that’s a veteran of the interviewing process will take the weakness question and turn it into something that can instead be seen as a strength.
Example Answer:
I’d say that my strength is that I’ve always been highly organized and efficiency-minded. When organizing a warehouse, I aim to try to do so as ergonomically as possible in order to increase the associate’s speed and make it easy to remember where everything is.
For my weakness, I can be a bit too ambitious sometimes. I tend to set high goals, and it can be frustrating if I can’t reach them. My team can end up feeling a bit like I’m pushing too hard sometimes, so I’m doing my best to moderate that.
What have you done to improve efficiency in previous warehouses?
Efficiency is one of the primary factors in warehouse management. How quickly warehouses can receive, organize, and process goods is extremely important. As is the flip side of locating, packaging, and getting goods out the door. This question helps determine the candidate’s familiarity with warehouse systems and efficiency practices.
Example Answer:
At my previous warehouse, the main efficiency improvement I championed was adding forklifts. Making use of equipment can make the process go much faster, as it allows the goods to be moved much more quickly and safely.
What warehouse management systems are you familiar with?
As with the majority of professions, software and automation are an important part of it. It’s a bonus if the candidate is familiar with the type of software used at the hiring organization’s warehouse, but so long as they’re familiar with similar systems, they ought to be able to adapt.
Example Answer:
At my previous job, we used 3PL Central WMS. There are some great things about cloud-based systems, such as being able to sync with suppliers and logistics organizations. Before that, I used Fishbowl Inventory, but it’s been a little while, so I’d have to brush up on it.
How many people have you managed in the past?
Being a managerial position, it’s good for the candidate to have managerial experience. Ideally, this would be in a warehouse situation, but other kinds of managerial experience can also be extremely valuable.
Example Answer:
I’ve usually worked in smaller warehouses, so I’ve never had more than six direct reports. I did have other managerial duties, such as tracking the inventory, helping with organization, and ensuring safety procedures were followed. I’ve also had some experience in training others on the WMS. I was sort of the resident tech expert.
Are you certified in hazardous materials? Which ones?
Warehouses often store materials that are hazardous, whether they’re raw materials or finished products. If the warehouse in question often stores these materials, it’s important to have a manager who's familiar with the proper handling of the materials, as well as federal regulations.
Example Answer:
Yes, I’m certified to handle hazardous materials. My previous job included the handling and storing of biohazardous materials. I’ve attended hazardous material handling courses over the course of my career and have done my utmost to stay up to date on best handling practices and federal regulations.
How do you adapt to changing staff needs in busier times?
Warehouses, as with many retail-related positions, will have busier times and slower times. That means that staffing needs will change over the course of the year. Managers need to be aware of these shifts in business so that they won’t be overstaffed during slow times or understaffed during busy ones.
Example Answer:
It’s always been a bit of a balancing act. I want to make sure that my associates aren’t overworked, but of course, they also need to have things to do. Generally, during the busiest seasons, I’ll put out to hire a bunch of temp workers.
I’ve gotten good at streamlined hiring when I need to, but I still pay attention. After all, some of my best workers started out as temps.
What do you think are the qualities that a warehouse manager needs to be successful?
A question like this is a combination of a personality question and a work style question. There isn’t necessarily a single correct answer; however, there are likely certain qualities that the interviewer will be looking for. To ensure cultural fit, it’s important to find out if the qualities that the candidate prioritizes are similar to the ones the interviewer does.
Example Answer:
I think that the most important skills for a warehouse manager to have are being safety-minded, having organizational skills, and having the ability to think on your feet. Warehouses are fast-paced environments that change all the time.
It’s important to know where everything should be, but also how to improvise if something doesn't go right or your inventory doesn't come through.
Safety is paramount in a physically demanding job, too. I always make sure I’m up to date on all safety regulations and that they’re followed at all times. It can be easy to become too familiar with an environment or equipment and stop respecting it, but I do my utmost to make sure that doesn't happen in my warehouse.
How do you maintain motivation in your work?
Everyone has days when they don’t want to be at work. Employers want to know that potential employees are able to keep themselves motivated and involved in their careers, even when it’s difficult. Generally, they want a skill or point of view that meshes well with the nature of the job in question.
Example Answer:
While working in a warehouse isn’t considered glamorous, it is what keeps the supply chain running. I stay motivated by remembering how important it is that my team and I do. We keep goods flowing throughout the country, and we make sure that buyers’ and sellers’ investments are protected.
What steps do you take to protect yourself and your coworkers?
Safety is a major concern for physically demanding jobs like working in a warehouse. There are a lot of heavy items, machinery, and other ways for workers to severely hurt themselves. It’s important that a potential warehouse manager recognize this and take it seriously.
Example Answer:
I’ve always been known as a stickler when it comes to following safety procedures. When I was just starting out, one of my coworkers got hit in the side when the forklift operator turned without looking. Thankfully he ended up being okay, but that experience had a big impact on me. It could have been disastrous.
So what I do to stay safe and keep others safe is to enforce safety policies. And I’m always absolutely sure that everyone is properly certified. I never let my workers work when they’re impaired, either, and I’m sure to designate areas and times when heavy machinery is being used.
What do you do when you get something wrong?
How an employee will behave at work is something that is difficult to determine by a resume or even during an interview. That being said, asking candidates behavioral questions can give interviewers an indication of how the candidate will behave and whether or not they will fit in with the current culture.
Example Answer:
Own it. It’s the only reasonable way to go forward. Of course, just how badly I get it wrong is important, as is exactly what I got wrong. But most people respect you much more when you’re willing to admit that you’ve made a mistake and that you don’t know everything.
What are your hobbies outside of work?
In most cases, what an employee does outside of work shouldn’t affect their chances of getting hired. But if the employer is looking for a cultural fit or just wants the candidate to open up, asking about hobbies is a good way to get them to start talking. People are generally willing to have a conversation about the things they enjoy doing.
Example Answer:
My two primary hobbies are cooking and reading. I’ve always liked to cook, and I've been expanding my knowledge on the subject. I’ve gotten interested in food science and have subscribed to America’s Test Kitchen to learn more about equipment, recipes, and the chemistry involved.
I primarily read mysteries and thrillers, but I’ve been trying to expand a bit lately. There are so many good books out there in so many different genres. It’s interesting to see how the different genres handle different difficult subjects, as well as the troupes and plot points that are popular.
How would you handle a conflict between two employees?
Management is responsible for the employees that work for them. That means that they’ll be expected to deal with any potential problems or conflicts that arise. If the candidate has specific examples of how they’ve dealt with issues, they shouldn’t be afraid to use those instances as examples.
Example Answer:
I’ve been very lucky with my teams so far. The way I look at it is that the people who work for me are adults, and they should be able to deal with any issues they have in a professional manner. Of course, that isn’t always the case, but if I have an employee that seems intent on making trouble, I do my best to limit the problems they can cause.
Most people just want to put their heads down, do their jobs, and then go home. So I do my best to facilitate that. If a conflict does pop up – one that needs intervention – I do my best to find out the root of the problem and work on that. It’s important to understand everyone’s perspective and treat all parties with respect.
What is your process for organizing and ensuring the accuracy of shipments?
Hiring managers are interested in how candidates plan to run the warehouse. Organization and accuracy are two of the most important aspects of running a warehouse, so how they manage that can tell the hiring manager a lot about the candidate.
Example Answer:
WMS is a huge time saver. It can help track, locate, and print labels for shipments. I also do my best to organize the warehouse in an ergonomic and intuitive manner, which allows the staff to find and retrieve items quickly. Making sure that my team is well-trained and equipped makes it all possible.
What do you do to stay physically fit?
Working in a warehouse is a physically demanding job. That means that a candidate who prioritizes fitness and taking care of themselves is less likely to end up injured than one who doesn’t. Candidates should be aware of how difficult the job is physically and do their best to stay in shape and limber.
Example Answer:
I like to hike. That’s my primary form of exercise outside of work. Of course, I also have an exercise routine I do three times a week to keep up my upper body strength. Being a hobbyist cook, I’m also sure to make sure that I have a balanced diet. Making sure I get the right balance of protein and carbs helps with an active lifestyle – or career.
How would you tell a customer about a lost or stolen shipment?
Customer service is another major aspect of warehouse work. There are different buyers and sellers that have their goods pass through the warehouse, and all of them are concerned about the state of their purchases. Making sure that the candidate has good customer service skills and respects that fact is important.
Example Answer:
Well, the way I'd go about it would depend on the exact circumstances, of course. Was the mistake made at the warehouse? Was it the shipping company? The supplier? Whatever the case, I find the best practice is to be unfailingly polite and patient. I don’t know what this person is going through or how important the shipment is to them.
As a rule, along with being courteous, I try as hard as I can to find out what the problem is. Double-checking the company policy is important, too, so I know what my responsibilities and options are to make it right for the customer.
Why do you feel that customer service skills are important for a warehouse associate?
As warehouses handle other people’s property on a regular basis, it’s important for them to be willing to practice good customer service skills whenever the need arises. Not everyone looks at the situation the same way, so asking the candidate about it is a way to find out that the hiring organization and candidate have similar values.
Example Answer:
Personally, I think that customer service skills are important in every job. Even if you don’t deal with customers directly, having the ability to be polite, patient, respectful, and regulate your emotions can be a huge help.
That being said, we’re handling other people’s property all the time. We’re a piece of the retail chain, even if we don’t sell it to consumers directly. Those who store goods at our warehouses and request shipment from us are our customers, and they need to be treated as such. It’s just good business sense.
Here are some additional questions to ask in a warehouse manager interview. Hiring managers should have a varied set of questions to ask candidates, and it’s generally best to be over-prepared rather than have too few questions to ask.
Describe your experience with inventory management tools
What is the most appropriate method for lifting heavy containers?
What is your method for stacking and storing inventory?
Have you ever witnessed a staff member intentionally commit a safety violation? What did you do?
What is one major concern addressed by the warehouse layout strategy?
Why do you think you’re best suited for the position?
What improvements would you make to our warehouse to improve efficiency?
How would you describe your leadership style?
How would you determine that you’ve achieved excellent warehouse management?
What changes do you expect to see in the warehouse industry in the next five years?
As a Candidate:
Review best practices for warehouse management. That primarily focuses on safety, efficiency, and organizational skills.
Be sure to check over both the job description and your resume again, so you won’t be caught flat-footed by questions pulled directly from your resume or the job description.
If at all possible, find a way to look into the warehouse itself. Some interviews will ask for suggestions as to how to improve their operations to see if you’re familiar with best practices.
As an Interviewer:
Don’t just focus on expertise, and be sure to ask behavior warehouse manager interview questions.
Running a warehouse is complicated, so it’s important to know that they understand the common software used, as well as safety practices and organizational systems. However, an extremely competent hire who clashes with the culture won’t work out in the long run.
Be sure to look over the candidate's resume and the job description that was posted. You want to be sure that they’re familiar with the job – and their own resume – but you also want to be sure that you focus on the right things in the interview.
Brush up on best practices in warehouse management, or make sure that someone in the room is an expert. Not only do you want to be sure to ask intelligent questions, but you also want to be able to tell if the answers you receive are actually correct.