Use these questions to identify a candidate’s technical knowledge and abilities
Use these questions to determine how a candidate handled situations in the past
Use these questions to assess a candidate’s personal traits and cognitive skills
Why this matters
A great warehouse manager is in the habit of systematically keeping and storing inventory records.
What to listen for
- Understanding of the importance of strong inventory recordkeeping practices.
- Experience with warehouse management software (WMS).
Why this matters
Making trade-offs between space and material handling is a constant balancing act for warehouse managers. This question tests for systematic approaches to this persistent balancing act.
What to listen for
- Answers may reference creating pre-decided pick paths to move things through a warehouse effectively.
- Strong candidates are nimble enough to pivot quickly to accommodate fast-changing business conditions.
Why this matters
For warehouses that still have manual processes in place, there tends to be no common route taken to pick items for shipment, which adds unnecessary time to the process. With a solution like system-directed pick/putaway, the routing is easily automated, reducing wear and tear on both your equipment and your labor force
What to listen for
- Experience initiating, coordinating, and enforcing optimal operational policies and procedures.
- Experience with picking strategies including batch, wave, cluster, piece, zone, and sortation picking.
Why this matters
Depending on what you’re looking for from a warehouse manager, this answer will be illuminating. Strong candidates sidestep specific tasks to talk about a more big picture view: creating a smooth-functioning facility. Above all, this question shows what the candidate prioritizes.
What to listen for
- Candidates should stress that while day-to-day functions are at the core of the job, overall strategy is key to moving projects forward for the benefit of the company.
- Great answers will focus on the importance of maintaining communication with interdisciplinary teams.
Why this matters
Warehouse inventory is valuable, and it’s in everyone’s best interests to minimize opportunities for theft, or “shrinkage.”
What to listen for
- Top answers will include both background checks prior to hiring—and systematic security practices.
- Listen for references to tactics for improving employee work/life balance, which ultimately leads to teams that want the best for the company.
Why this matters
Leading a warehouse department to meet targets is a key responsibility of a warehouse manager. While electronic data interchange has been a standard, automated programming interface integration is becoming a definite trend.
What to listen for
- Curiosity about your business and ways they can implement upgrades to help to increase operational efficiency.
- What new technologies has the candidate witnessed and how do they plan on staying informed?
Why this matters
Great warehouse managers know how to utilize all the various resources at their disposal to run operations as efficiently as possible. They also have a keen sense for how to best manage people and processes to achieve high levels of productivity. This requires a high-level outlook with a laser-focus on the details.
What to listen for
- Candidates who naturally grasp the importance of process analysis and streamlining.
- Specific examples of working with leadership to gauge business goals and ensure teams perform at an optimal level to achieve them.
Why this matters
The rapid evolution of technology means that part of a warehouse manager’s job is to keep their skills current. Often, that means pursuing continuing education classes, learning new software programs, and exploring new employee training initiatives that empower business results.
What to listen for
- Knowledge of core concepts and components of supply chain management, including supplier evaluation, logistics, inventory management, and other supply chain practices.
- Enthusiasm about finding creative ways to solve problems.
Why this matters
This question tests your candidate’s values, objectives, and inherent talents. Are they intrinsically motivated? Was there something in warehousing that spoke to a natural gift, like a talent for leading people, organizing goods, or taking inventory?
What to listen for
- Answers that display a genuine interest in logistics, data, management, and customer satisfaction.
- Great candidates may discuss an interest in helping companies grow with more efficient fulfillment operations.
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