As a warehouse worker, one of the biggest milestones you can reach is a promotion to management. Of course, with that advancement comes a significant increase in responsibility, which can be a bit overwhelming if you’re not ready for it. However, we’ve put together some tips that will come in handy for brand-new warehouse managers. As long as you follow these, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about.
Make Safety a Top Priority
While working in a warehouse might not be the riskiest job, it certainly has its fair share of dangers. That’s why keeping your workers safe should be a top priority with each decision you make.
You’ll need to allow people to take time off when they’re not feeling well, and don’t force them to work at extreme speeds to keep up with quotas. Employees who are tired or not feeling well will be more likely to make mistakes, putting themselves and others in danger.
Utilize Technology Whenever Possible
Now that you’re a manager, there are many things you need to keep track of. Technology is the best way to ensure none of those details slip through the cracks. Writing notes can be helpful, but they can get lost or ruined. Organizational apps are much better since they will always be with you on your phone. Plus, you can back them up on the cloud so they never get lost.
Remember To Regularly Maintain Equipment
In the past, when a machine or vehicle was acting up, all you had to do was tell your manager about it. Now, you are the manager, and breakdowns can be a hassle to deal with. That’s why the best tip for new warehouse managers to follow is to keep up with regular maintenance checks on all your equipment.
Maintaining these items will help keep them in working order for longer, which will also help keep your employees safe. Even something as small as learning how to increase the battery life of a forklift will ensure a much smoother and more efficient experience.
Keep Your Facility Clean at All Times
A dirty warehouse can lead to unsafe work conditions, cause items to get lost or broken, and even hurt staff morale. The bottom line is you need to put in the effort to keep your facility clean.
You won’t be able to do it all yourself, so you’ll have to make it a part of your managerial tasks to assign people to clean up duty. They might not like it, but they’ll only have to do it about once a week, and it’s much better than having a dirty and unsafe warehouse.