A Warehouse Lead Hand is a professional who plays a pivotal role in overseeing warehouse operations, ensuring efficiency, and maintaining a smooth workflow. They are responsible for coordinating tasks, managing personnel, and optimizing processes to meet organizational goals. In this blog post, we delve into the primary responsibilities and the most sought-after hard and soft skills for Warehouse Lead Hands.

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Main Responsibilities of a Warehouse Lead Hand

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Warehouse Lead Hand:

Address

• Address and resolve any discrepancies in inventory records.

• Address any safety concerns brought forward by team members.

Administer

Administer company policies.

Assign

Assign tasks to Warehouse Personnel daily, while working alongside with them.

Assist in

• Assist in ensuring established procedures are followed and that adequate training has been provided.

• Assist in inventory counts.

• Assist in inventory cycle counts.

• Assist in loading and unloading of trailers.

• Assist in maintenance of showroom.

• Assist in the development and implementation of warehouse policies and procedures.

• Assist in the unloading of delivery trucks and palletizing product in preparation of receiving.

• Assist Team Members in the performance of their assigned duties.

• Assist with the training staff in job duties, safety procedures and company policy.

Break down

Break down boxes, empty garbage and taking to proper bins.

Clean

Clean area after each task is completed.

Collaborate with

• Collaborate with IT teams to implement warehouse management systems.

• Collaborate with logistics teams to optimize shipping and receiving schedules.

Communicate with

• Communicate effectively with suppliers, vendors, and internal stakeholders.

• Communicate the plan for the day to the team as required.

• Communicate with Distribution Center to report issues with shipments.

• Communicate with logistics coordinator for the tracing of shipments.

• Communicate with the warehouse workers and supervisors.

Complete

• Complete and submit necessary paperwork in a timely manner.

• Complete forklift and truck inspection.

• Complete monthly inventory counts.

• Complete necessary records and reports in a timely and accurate manner.

• Complete quarterly inventory of the entire warehouse.

Conduct

• Conduct employee training as required in new procedures and implementations.

• Conduct performance evaluations for warehouse staff and provide feedback.

• Conduct shift meetings to ensure staff is kept up to date on company and department matters.

• Conduct weekly inventory counts for Production scheduling and ensure inventory accuracy.

Confirm

Confirm and record the receipt of shipments.

Coordinate

• Coordinate returns from Production Plant to Warehouse.

• Coordinate with drivers and carriers for inbound and outbound loads.

• Coordinate with maintenance teams for repairs and upkeep of warehouse facilities.

• Coordinate with other departments to fulfill orders and resolve issues.

• Coordinate with the warehouse manager to manage personnel issues and requests.

Develop

Develop and maintain positive working relationships with team members.

Direct

Direct all job tasks within the operation.

Drive

Drive 14' Cube van to do deliveries and pickups from time to time.

Ensure

• Ensure adherence to safety protocols and procedures.

• Ensure all employees adhere to safety policies.

• Ensure all employees are provided with appropriate PPE, in good condition and worn properly.

• Ensure all established policies and procedures are followed by warehouse team.

• Ensure all Health and safety guidelines are enforced and concerns resolved.

• Ensure all orders are picked, checked and initialed for accuracy.

• Ensure all products have an Inventory Tag.

• Ensure all team members achieve proper housekeeping within area of responsibility.

• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards.

• Ensure crew members have the appropriate equipment and tools necessary to perform their jobs.

• Ensure efficient storage of the physical inventory at the distribution center.

• Ensure housekeeping standards and equipment maintenance.

• Ensure inventory accuracy.

• Ensure order picking accuracy.

• Ensure product is handled in a safe manner.

• Ensure standard productivity and error standards are consistently met.

• Ensure standards for General Housekeeping and cleaning of the area are maintained.

• Ensure that all orders are properly loaded onto the truck.

• Ensure warehouse is organized, clean.

Enter

Enter inventory details into inventory management software system.

Evaluate

• Evaluate and implement warehouse layout optimizations for better space utilization.

• Evaluate housekeeping, security and safety standards on a daily basis.

Fill

Fill orders by selecting the correct product and prioritize if necessary.

Forecast

Forecast crewing needs to meet peak demands of the business and staff team accordingly.

Foster

Foster a culture of teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Generate

Generate reports on warehouse activities, including inventory levels and productivity.

Guarantee

Guarantee the efficient and safe operation of all materials handling equipment.

Handle

• Handle all in-store customer pick-ups.

• Handle customer inquiries and complaints related to warehouse operations.

Identify

• Identify and problem solve for any cases of missing documents, shipments and / or deliveries.

• Identify and report, potential safety hazards to supervisor.

• Identify areas where improvements can be made.

• Identify causes of problems and develop solutions to make effective, timely decisions.

• Identify opportunities for process enhancements and automation.

• Identify superior performers with development potential and notifies the Warehouse Manager of it.

• Identify variances in actual costs vs.

Implement

• Implement and enforce quality control standards for incoming and outgoing products.

• Implement measures to prevent loss, damage, or theft of warehouse goods.

• Implement strategies to improve warehouse efficiency and reduce costs.

Inspect

Inspect the integrity of all containers, equipment and materials prior to filling.

Keep

• Keep abreast of industry trends and best practices in warehouse management.

• Keep opened communication with Manager.

Lead

• Lead by example and trains, motivates, coaches, rewards, and disciplines crew being supervised.

• Lead by example and uphold the values and standards of the organization.

• Lead crew by example by loading trucks and / or performing other duties as necessary.

• Lead Hand (Overnight) – Produce Distribution.

• Lead warehouse employees and set a good example.

Lift

Lift and push up to 60 lbs.

Maintain

• Maintain all licenses necessary to safely operate warehouse equipment.

• Maintain all required paperwork and adequate records for reporting and tracking.

• Maintain all shipping and receiving records.

• Maintain a working knowledge of all warehouse operations.

• Maintain cleanliness and organization within the warehouse facility.

• Maintain confidentiality in all areas.

• Maintain high level of customer service.

• Maintain organized work area according to policies, procedures and safety regulations.

• Maintain safety programs and all required safety training for the crew.

• Maintain shelves in a clean and organized manner.

• Maintain work area in clean and hazard free condition.

Manage

• Manage and maintain all required paperwork and records for reporting and tracking.

• Manage inventory levels for accuracy from a physical vs system perspective.

• Manage inventory levels to be at the most efficient level for reliable customer service.

• Manage Quality Controls systems for receiving, storing, packaging and delivery of products.

• Manage the transport of goods and materials.

Mark

Mark materials with identifying information using appropriate method.

Match

Match product with purchase orders and verify received product expiration codes.

Monitor

• Monitor and maintain temperature and humidity controls for sensitive products.

• Monitor dry material inventory and finished goods creation accuracy within the production area.

• Monitor inventory levels and conduct regular stock checks.

• Monitor KPIs and assist with management of staff to meet KPI objectives.

• Monitor the accurate execution of the work orders.

Notify

Notify Warehouse Manager of anticipated repairs or concerns.

Operate

• Operate and maintain warehouse equipment such as forklifts and pallet jacks.

• Operate Walkie in a safe manner to move received product.

Optimize

Optimize the space and the productivity in his field of responsibility in the warehouse.

Order

Order selecting in all climates (dry, coolers, freezers).

Organize

Organize and prioritize incoming and outgoing shipments.

Oversee

• Oversee housekeeping duties, assist as necessary.

• Oversee shipping and receiving, when needed.

• Oversee the loading and unloading of goods from trucks and containers.

• Oversee the proper tracking of shipments and verify receipts of shipments as required.

• Oversee the secure and accurate loading and unloading of deliveries.

Palletize

Palletize cases, wrap and load skids onto trailers.

Participate in

• Participate in inventory audits and reconciliation processes.

• Participate in operations development and problem solving meetings as requested.

• Participate in planning and projects with the management team when required.

Perform

• Perform administrative tasks as necessary.

• Perform all the duties of a Material Handler / Clerk.

• Perform other duties in the warehouse as required.

• Perform other related duties as assigned by management.

• Perform simple written paperwork recording.

• Perform warehouse related duties - shipping, receiving, customer service, inventory control, etc..

Pick

Pick and pack orders with impeccable attention to detail and care.

Prepare

• Prepare containers for filling.

• Prepare customer orders for distribution and verify accuracy of orders picked.

• Prepare orders for shipment and move orders to the staging area for shipment.

• Prepare receiving dock to accept incoming product.

Process

• Process all required paperwork and maintain adequate records for reporting and tracking.

• Process customer orders and advise customers of order readiness.

• Process reworks and damages.

Promote

Promote a culture of safety at every opportunity with employees.

Provide

• Provide coaching and supervision.

• Provide effective coaching and feedback on a regular basis to direct reports.

• Provide excellent Customer Service.

• Provide exceptional experience to both internal and external customers.

• Provide general communication on relevant safety issues and concerns.

Purchase

Purchase all raw materials and packaging products.

Read

• Read work orders, assemble customer orders from stock, and place orders on pallets.

• Read, write and speak English as required by safety standards and job expectations.

Receive

• Receive product, complete visual quality inspection and perform physical count.

• Receive returns, count and confirm quantities, determine condition and complete paperwork.

Report

• Report problems to Warehouse Supervisor.

• Report the ongoing performance of team members.

Represent

Represent the FC and Staples in a positive and professional manner.

Resolve

• Resolve production and personnel issues during shift.

• Resolve warehouse-related issues with representatives from other department throughout the company.

• Resolve work problems and recommend measures to improve productivity and product quality.

Retrieve

Retrieve orders from the answering service as needed, route runs and print picking slips as required.

Review

• Review department operations daily to ensure the warehouse is neat, secure and organized.

• Review, prioritizes, and organize all outgoing orders.

Schedule

• Schedule deliveries and / or pickups in conjunction with the Lubricant Administrative Assistant.

• Schedule equipment maintenance as required.

Secure

Secure building both during and at end of the shift.

Ship

Ship product accurately, on time and to correct destination.

Sign off

Sign off on monthly inventory reconciled reports.

Sort

Sort and distribute incoming shipments.

Supervise

• Supervise all shipping, receiving, and packing room activities performed by warehouse team.

• Supervise inventory control process.

• Supervise removal of pallets and placed in proper area.

• Supervise the daily work flow in the areas of order filling, picking, receiving and truck loading.

• Supervise up to 4 warehouse employees.

• Supervise warehouse personnel.

• Supervise warehouse staff and delegate tasks accordingly.

Support

• Support and enforces recommendations from management.

• Support process improvement and change management.

Take

Take and date samples of all incoming bulk materials.

Train

• Train / cross-train, new and current staff members.

• Train new warehouse employees on proper procedures and equipment usage.

• Train on specific tasks such as proper equipment usage, material handling and maintenance.

Unload

• Unload, load and consolidate freight.

• Unload shipments daily from trucks.

Use

Use appropriate means to optimize the efficiency of the receiving docks and the space available.

Work

Work within time constraints in a fast paced warehouse environment.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Warehouse Lead Hand:

1. Proficiency in warehouse management software (e.g., SAP, WMS).

2. Knowledge of inventory control principles and practices.

3. Familiarity with material handling equipment operation and maintenance.

4. Ability to interpret and analyze data from inventory management systems.

5. Understanding of shipping and receiving procedures and documentation.

6. Experience with barcode scanning technology and RFID systems.

7. Knowledge of health and safety regulations related to warehouse operations.

8. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel for data analysis.

9. Ability to operate forklifts, pallet jacks, and other warehouse machinery.

10. Familiarity with Lean manufacturing principles and 5S methodology.

11. Understanding of transportation and logistics concepts.

12. Knowledge of warehouse layout optimization techniques.

13. Ability to read and interpret technical manuals and documents.

14. Experience with order picking and packing processes.

15. Proficiency in conducting inventory audits and cycle counts.

16. Familiarity with import/export regulations and customs documentation.

17. Ability to troubleshoot equipment malfunctions and perform minor repairs.

18. Knowledge of hazardous materials handling and storage procedures.

19. Understanding of cost-control measures and budget management.

20. Proficiency in using handheld devices for inventory management tasks.

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Warehouse Lead Hand:

1. Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.

2. Strong leadership abilities and team-building skills.

3. Effective problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.

4. Time management and organizational skills.

5. Adaptability to changing priorities and situations.

6. Attention to detail and accuracy in work.

7. Conflict resolution and negotiation skills.

8. Customer service orientation and interpersonal skills.

9. Ability to work collaboratively in a diverse team environment.

10. Positive attitude and enthusiasm for warehouse operations.

Conclusion

Warehouse Lead Hands play a critical role in the efficient functioning of warehouse operations. With a combination of technical expertise and soft skills, they ensure that goods flow smoothly through the supply chain, ultimately contributing to the success of the organization.