Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Developing and Building Teams Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

The Work

Warehouse managers organise the scheduling of deliveries to and from the warehouse and keep a record of goods that arrive and leave. They also organise the efficient storage of goods within the warehouse and the retrieval of goods ordered by customers or other departments. They are required to keep track of stock levels using computer systems and ensuring that products like chemicals, drugs, food and alcohol are stored according to regulations.  
 
In the stacking and storage of goods, managers have to make sure that any special requirements are met. For example, some goods are particularly fragile, others need to be maintained at certain temperatures, and some must be rotated in date order.  
 
The Warehouse Manager is responsible for making the best use of space and equipment, bearing in mind operational and safety requirements. They need to make sure that security arrangements are adequate.  
 
Managers make sure that staff follow set procedures for safety and security in their warehouses, and are familiar with the fire precautions covering buildings and the goods in store. They also have to plan and organise on-site maintenance of plant, machinery and warehouse buildings.  
 
Managers are responsible for the supervision and training of all grades of warehouse staff. In some warehouses, managers may need to participate in activities such as loading and unloading lorries and signing delivery notes. However, some managers are responsible for large warehouse departments or several warehouses, and rarely become involved in routine tasks.  
 
The nature of warehouse work is becoming increasingly technical, and managers use computer systems for stock control and the location and retrieval of goods.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Supervise the activities of workers engaged in receiving, storing, testing, and shipping products or materials.
• Plan, develop, or implement warehouse safety and security programs and activities.
• Inspect physical conditions of warehouses, vehicle fleets, or equipment and order testing, maintenance, repairs, or replacements.
• Plan, organise, or manage the work of subordinate staff to ensure that the work is accomplished in a manner consistent with organisational requirements.
• Collaborate with other departments to integrate logistics with business systems or processes, such as customer sales, order management, accounting, or shipping.
• Analyse all aspects of corporate logistics to determine the most cost-effective or efficient means of transporting products or supplies.
• Resolve problems concerning transportation, logistics systems, imports or exports, or customer issues.
• Develop and document standard and emergency operating procedures for receiving, handling, storing, shipping, or salvaging products or materials.
• Monitor operations to ensure that staff members comply with administrative policies and procedures, safety rules, union contracts, environmental policies, or government regulations.
• Analyse the financial impact of proposed logistics changes, such as routing, shipping modes, product volumes or mixes, or carriers.

Further Information

• Warehouse Manager - from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

You can become a warehouse manager via a number of different routes. For example, you can start working as a warehouse assistant and ‘work your way up’, or you can move from a management role in another sector and move into warehouse management. All work experience in management, supervision and administration are valuable.

The most relevant course subjects include logistics, business and management, but if you start out as a warehouse assistant, you may benefit from having technical knowledge related to the products you deal with in the warehouse. Other relevant training include Material Handling Equipment (MHE), such as a Forklift certificate.

There are also three relevant apprenticeships available:

Training and Development

FET Centre Traineeships Office Procedures, Business Administration, Supply chain & Warehousing Logistics NFQ level 5-6 search FET courses 

FET centre PLC courses Warehousing, Supply Chain - Operations, Logistics & Distribution, Transport, Distribution & Logistics NFQ level 5 Search FET PLC courses 

Apprenticeship Logistics Associate/Logistician, Supply Chain Specialist, Supply Chain Manager NFQ level 6-9 Search apprenticeship

Professional Development & Associations

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport also offers Certificate and Diploma level courses in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, and Transport Operations.

There are often opportunities for progression, as you can progress to managing larger warehouses or to senior management positions including General Manager or Operations coordinator for example. You can also move into specialist areas, such as logistics or buying. 

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €35k - €80k

Salaries vary by employer, role, duties, shift pattern, location, and experience.

Data Source(s):
Brightwater/ Lincoln/ Indeed/ CPL/ Morgan McKinley/ Sigmar/ Collins McNicholas/ Excel/ Clark

Last Updated: July, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Numbers in the LFS are too small to allow for any detailed analysis. New employment permits issued in 2022 related mainly to transport and distribution clerks along with various logistics and customs roles.

The Recruitment Agency Survey identified issues in sourcing freight forwarders. There was a relatively high share of jobseekers registered with DSP in December 2022 who had previously been employed as stores/despatch clerks and storekeepers.

• National Institute for Transport & Logistics (NITL)

  • Dublin Institute of Technology, Bolton Street, Dublin 1.
  • (01) 402 3898
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Supply Chain Management Institute (IPICS)

  • 6E, KCR Estate, Kimmage, Dublin 12
  • 01 9023729
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Ireland

  • 1 Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin 2
  • Freephone 1890 2525 99
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• The Executive Institute

  • 30 Upper Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2,
  • (01) 662 6904
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development in Ireland

  • CIPD, A3 The Locks, Charlotte Quay Dock, Dublin 4
  • (01) 678 0090
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here