How to hire a warehouse operations manager

How to hire a warehouse operations manager, step by step

Here's a step-by-step warehouse operations manager 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 operations manager job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new warehouse operations manager
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a warehouse operations manager do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your warehouse operations manager job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a warehouse operations manager for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a warehouse operations manager to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a warehouse operations manager that fits the bill.

   This list shows salaries for various types of warehouse operations managers.

   Type of Warehouse Operations Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Warehouse Operations Manager		$12-21
   Logistics Supervisor	A logistics supervisor is an individual tasked to oversee goods shipment and delivery in organizations. Supervisors manage the planning, organization, and implementation of the company's systems... Show more	$22-42
   Distribution Supervisor	A distribution supervisor is in charge of overseeing all distribution processes in a warehouse or similar setting, ensuring accuracy and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities typically revolve around coordinating deliveries and shipment, managing schedules, delegating tasks, assessing the performance of the workforce, and maintaining records of all transactions... Show more	$19-46

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Orders
   • Pallets
   • Logistics
   • Customer Service
   • Warehouse Operations
   • Excellent Interpersonal
   • Groceries
   • Cleanliness
   • Math
   • Quality Standards
   • Data Entry
   • Shipping Receiving
   • OSHA
   • RF

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage all over the road deliveries through TMS.
   • Manage all aspects of local and national shipping, including internal fleet, small parcel and LTL.
   • Manage key performance indicators, reviewing them quarterly with each customer and developing KPIs to drive business results.
   • Design and oversee the routes for products delivery while managing the key performance indicators (KPIs) for different evaluation points.
   • Complete initial Kaizen training for lean manufacturing and managing for daily improvements.
   • Manage payroll and oversee center/facility expenses and accounts payable practicing cost containment strategies.

   More warehouse operations manager duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your warehouse operations manager job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A warehouse operations manager salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a warehouse operations manager in Georgia may be lower than in Minnesota, and an entry-level warehouse operations manager usually earns less than a senior-level warehouse operations manager. Additionally, a warehouse operations manager with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average warehouse operations manager salary

   $16.76hourly

   $34,871 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level warehouse operations manager salary

   $26,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 20, 2025

   Average warehouse operations manager salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Minnesota	$42,112	$20
   2	Iowa	$41,556	$20
   3	Pennsylvania	$40,630	$20
   4	Ohio	$39,991	$19
   5	Washington	$39,752	$19
   6	Massachusetts	$39,729	$19
   7	Oregon	$39,082	$19
   8	New York	$38,920	$19
   9	New Jersey	$38,899	$19
   10	California	$38,789	$19
   11	Indiana	$37,833	$18
   12	Missouri	$37,417	$18
   13	Utah	$36,995	$18
   14	Colorado	$36,221	$17
   15	Illinois	$36,148	$17
   16	Kansas	$36,003	$17
   17	Tennessee	$35,569	$17
   18	Maryland	$35,483	$17
   19	Arizona	$35,373	$17
   20	Texas	$35,134	$17

   Average warehouse operations manager salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	BD	$41,715	$20.06	10
   2	Schneider Electric Industrial Services	$41,289	$19.85	8
   3	Arden Group	$41,191	$19.80
   4	Smith & Nephew	$41,102	$19.76	2
   5	Mars	$40,874	$19.65	2
   6	Church & Dwight Co.	$40,852	$19.64	2
   7	AAON	$40,775	$19.60	5
   8	Eastman	$40,719	$19.58
   9	Ecolab	$40,615	$19.53	1
   10	Anheuser-Busch	$40,531	$19.49	16
   11	Stop & Shop	$40,385	$19.42
   12	Cargill	$40,349	$19.40	58
   13	Danone Sverige	$40,305	$19.38
   14	Pwc	$40,282	$19.37	404
   15	Dairy Farmers of America	$40,249	$19.35	44
   16	Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers	$39,809	$19.14	2
   17	Target	$39,768	$19.12	111
   18	UPS	$39,695	$19.08	50
   19	Rich Products	$39,502	$18.99	4
   20	Ilitch Holdings	$39,483	$18.98

4. Writing a warehouse operations manager job description

   A job description for a warehouse operations manager 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 operations manager job description:

   Warehouse operations manager job description example

   Plan, direct, and coordinate the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications. Operate with independence and autonomy during multiple shifts, as needed. Act in liaison role with Quality Assurance, Logistics and Sanitation and Maintenance departments. Ensure compliance with all federal and regulatory requirements that are common to the food industry. Manage production staff of three direct reports and up to 150 indirect reports
   Essential Functions
   Manage the daily operations of all production lines. Review production schedules and production orders to make decisions concerning inventory requirements and work procedures, while considering budgetary limitations and time constraints. Manage production leads, supervisors and indirectly manage logistics, sanitation and maintenance staff. Review operations and consult with technical staff to resolve production or modification of machines or equipment to improve production. Develop and implement production tracking and quality control systems - analyzing production, quality control, maintenance, and other operational reports, to detect and resolve production problems. Ensure compliance with all federal, state and international regulatory requirements, including Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA and MIOSHA), Federal Drug Administration (FDA), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), British Retail Consortium (BRC), and applicable manufacturing and production principles. Recommend short and long-term operating objectives in areas such as cost reduction, quality improvement, new product development and/or integration. Interact with Quality, Human Resources, Research and Development, Maintenance, and other staff to maintain a positive working environment. Assist in coordinating and supporting continuous improvement/lean initiatives within the facility.
   
   Minimum Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
   Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business Management or related discipline. Equivalent experience may be considered in lieu of a formal degree. Minimum of ten (10) years of experience in the manufacturing and/or quality assurance of food products with knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control costs and other techniques for maximizing effective manufacture and distribution of goods. Previous experience in production management or supervision. Demonstrated knowledge of federal, state and international regulatory laws and regulations (ie OSHA, FDA, USDA and BRC, etc.) Familiarity with machines and tools, their design, uses, repair and maintenance. Evidence of highly developed verbal, written and presentation communication skills with the ability to communicate information to a wide variety of audiences. Demonstrated organization and planning skills and developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize and accomplish work goals. Evidence of ability to analyze information, evaluate results and choose the best solution and solve problems.
   
   Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
   Knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma and other best practices techniques.
   
   Working Conditions
   This position is located in a manufacturing environment. Ability to lift 25 pounds.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find warehouse operations managers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting warehouse operations managers requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   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 operations manager

   Once you've decided on a perfect warehouse operations manager candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new warehouse operations manager. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

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 operations manager?