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Distribution

Warehouse manager

Warehouse managers plan and co-ordinate operations at distribution warehouses, large retail stores and factories.

Annual Salary

£23,000 to £34,000

Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)

Working hours

40 to 42 a week

You could work: evenings / weekends / bank holidays; on shifts

3.4%
Future employment

There will be 3.4% more Warehouse manager jobs in 2027.

Day to day tasks

In this role you could:

  • work with clients, suppliers and transport companies
  • plan the delivery and dispatch of items
  • monitor stock levels and and set aside storage space
  • make sure stock is stored correctly and safely
  • plan work rotas and organise recruitment and training

Working environment

You could work in a warehouse or in an office.

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly
University

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject like:

  • logistics
  • supply chain management
  • transport management

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
For more information
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
  • university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/
College

You can do a college course to get the skills you'll need to for an assistant or trainee warehouse manager role.

You could do a Level 3 Diploma in Warehouse Operations or a Level 4 or 5 Diploma in Supply Chain Management.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
  • 1 or 2 A levels, a level 3 diploma or relevant experience for a level 4 or level 5 course
For more information
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
  • search for courses|/find-a-course
Apprenticeship

You can do a transport and warehouse operations supervisor advanced apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

To do this apprenticeship, you'll need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
For more information
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
Work

You could start as a team leader or assistant manager in a warehouse.

You could then move into a warehouse manager role once you have experience and qualifications in warehouse or transport distribution.

Direct application

You can apply directly for jobs if you've got management experience in warehousing or transport distribution.

More information

Career tips

You might have an advantage when looking for work if you've done forklift training.

Further information

You can find out more about working in warehousing from Generation Logistics.

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With experience, you could be promoted to regional or national operations manager or director.

You could also move into supply chain management or freight transport.

You can find out more about careers in warehousing from Skills for Logistics.

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

You'll need:

  • business management skills
  • knowledge of transport methods, costs and benefits
  • maths knowledge
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • leadership skills
  • customer service skills
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • administration skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
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