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Warehouse manager

Alternative titles for this job include

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

Average salary (a year)

£25,000 Starter

to

£42,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

40 to 42

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

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

More Information

College

You could take a college course to get the skills and knowledge you'll need to work as an assistant or trainee warehouse manager. 

Courses include:

  • planning and supervision of warehouse operations
  • supply chain management

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

Apprenticeship

You can apply to do a Transport and Warehouse Operations Supervisor Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, with a warehousing, retailing or logistics company.

As your career progresses, you could do an Operations Manager Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship.

These can take between 1 and 2 years to complete and combine workplace training with study off site.

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
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

Work

If you're working in a warehouse, you could apply for a team leader or assistant manager job.

With further training and promotion, you could then move into a warehouse manager role.

Direct Application

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

A qualification in health and safety might also be useful, though not essential.

More Information

Career tips

You might have an advantage when looking for work, if you've done forklift training, though employers will put you through this, if it's needed for the job.

Further information

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

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • business management skills
  • leadership skills
  • knowledge of transport methods, costs and benefits
  • maths knowledge
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • customer service skills
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • administration skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a warehouse manager, you could:

  • work closely with clients, suppliers and transport companies
  • co-ordinate the loading and unloading of goods
  • monitor stock levels and storage space
  • make sure stock is stored correctly and safely
  • plan deliveries, dispatch orders and raise invoices
  • organise shift rotas
  • oversee recruitment and training
  • carry out inspections, like health and safety checks

Working environment

You could work in a warehouse or in an office.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience and training, you could be become a shift manager, site operations manager or overall depot manager.

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

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a warehouse manager right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Sustainable Warehousing in Logistics [incl. FLT]

  • Provider: NORTH EAST MAYORAL COMBINED AUTHORITY
  • Start date: 13 October 2025
  • Location: Killingworth

Sustainable Warehousing in Logistics [incl. FLT]

  • Provider: NORTH EAST MAYORAL COMBINED AUTHORITY
  • Start date: 10 November 2025
  • Location: Killingworth
Find courses near you

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