32 Warehouse Supervisor Interview Questions & Answers
Below is a list of our Warehouse Supervisor interview questions. Click on any interview question to view our answer advice and answer examples. You may view 5 answer examples before our paywall loads. Afterwards, you'll be asked to upgrade to view the rest of our answers.
1. How would your former employer describe you?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to hear that your past employer will describe you in a positive manner. Think about the positive things your former employer has said about you in the past. Instead of listing these things, tell the interviewer what each person has told you. For example, you might say, "John has told me that I am a hard worker, and he has told me that he really likes how I am always happy to be at work!" These concrete examples will be sure to impress the interviewe
Answer Example
"John has told me that I am a hard worker, and he has told me that he really likes how I am always happy to be at work!"
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2. Tell me about a recent vendor dispute you have had, or a conflict you have had in your previous work. How did you handle the problem?
How to Answer
Think about the last time a contractor or employee did not carry through on their promises or meet your expectations for quality of work. These situations make great examples for this question! Provide the interviewer with what work the contractor or employee was supposed to be doing for you, and share what the outcome of the contractor's or employee's work actually was (...or, perhaps lack thereof if they failed to complete the project altogether). Next, share how you reached out to the contractor or employee either via phone to talk about the issue or on-site to talk face-to-face. Discuss how you professionally and graciously told the contractor or employee the issue and expressed your disappointment. Share what remediation you requested. You may have asked for the project to be re-vamped. You might have asked for your money back to move on. Or, you may have asked for the project to be started all over again. Finally, be sure to mention that you enjoy working with contractors and employees & typically don't have any issues with them. The challenging ones are few and far between, and you try to work with all of them on a pleasant and professional basis to maintain a positive image for the company.
3. When have you negotiated a better deal with a vendor?
How to Answer
Remember that time you got a better price for something? Was it for an annual contract renewal? Was it for a new piece of equipment? Did you talk someone into a better deal because you were buying a large supply of something? These are the types of examples the interviewer is looking for. Simply share your scenario! Explain who you were working with, what you were buying, and why you received a better deal. Finally, be sure to share how much money you saved the company! Even $100 makes a difference!
4. Automation plays a huge role in any warehouse, what new technologies have you witnessed and how do you plan on staying informed for even newer technologies in the future?
How to Answer
Interviewers love hearing that you stay on top of technology trends. We recommend that you brush up on some warehouse trends before your interview if you are not already familiar with current warehouse trends. Do a simple Google search to learn a few new things!
Begin by sharing a new technology you have witnessed or read about online. Share how you heard about the technology or where you saw it. And, be sure to mention how you learn about up & coming technologies. You might share that you receive emails on a regular basis with this information. You might mention that you attend conferences or tradeshows to keep learning. Or, maybe you visit trendy companies to learn what new technologies they are utilizing.
5. What do you already know about our warehouse, and our company?
How to Answer
With any job interview, it is crucial to understand the organization you are applying to. We recommend visiting the company website to learn key information such as current seasonal promotions and ongoing events. Watch the videos on their website, and take note of the information on their Careers page if one is available. Come prepared to list off 5-6 things you learned from the company's website such as number of tenants they have, number of buildings they own, when the company started, who started the company, mission statement, vision statement, core values, etc...
6. How well do you get along with your superiors? How often do you like to communicate with them?
How to Answer
You get along with them great! Interviewers need to hear that you are a team-player supporting leadership and that you communicate well with people at all levels of the organization. Begin by telling the interviewer that you get along great with company leadership, and you trust their expertise to make great decisions! Next, share how often you are accustomed to communicating with your superiors. You may talk with them daily, or you may only communicate with them quarterly. Whatever your communication scenario, openly share it with the interviewer.
7. What cost cutting measures have you enacted in the past? Which ones were the most successful?
How to Answer
Managing costs is a big part of the Warehouse Supervisors job! What have you done to save the company some money? Think about 1 or 2 things you have done to save the company money that were successful, and share them with the interviewer. Talk about how you identified the cost saving measure, what steps you took to implement it, and how much money it ended up saving the company!
8. How do you keep your warehouse employees motivated and to stay focused on the companies objectives?
How to Answer
As a supervisor, you understand what it takes to motivate a group of people! Think about the fun ways you have encouraged people to achieve their goals in the past. Have you created a fun contest? Did you have an award for reaching a goal? Or, maybe you simply complimented your staff sharing how much you appreciate their hard work and talents, and that was enough of a push to keep them going. Simply share what techniques you have utilized in the past to keep your team motivated!
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9. What was the most difficult employee situation you found yourself in? How did you overcome the problem?
How to Answer
Supervising employees can come with all sorts of challenging situations! Have you ever had to let someone go for theft? Have you ever had an emotionally challenging situation such as an employee passing away outside of work or a life-threatening illness? Have you ever had an employee who did not understand right from wrong? These all make solid examples for this question. Begin by telling the interviewer a high-level overview of your scenario. The key is explaining how you worked through the scenario to make the best of the situation. Explain what steps you took to work through the problem and how that scenario helped you become a better supervisor.
10. Do you have an understanding of lean six sigma?
How to Answer
Be candid with the interviewer sharing what experience level you have with lean six sigma. The interviewer will use your response to understand how much training you will need if you are hired for the position, so be sure to be honest! If you have experience with lean six sigma, be sure to mention any training you have attended and/or any certifications you have received.
11. If hired, how do you intend on making a difference with our company?
How to Answer
Interviewers love hearing that you look forward to improving their company after you have a solid understanding of their culture and current practices. Begin by telling the interviewer that you intend to begin the role gaining an understanding of current practices and spending time observing how things are currently operating. Tell the interviewer that you want to learn the culture and become a part of it. Next, share that once you have an understanding of these things, you will make strategic decisions regarding any possible changes and decisions for the future that will provide the best results for the company.
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12. Why should we hire you?
How to Answer
Talking about ourselves in this way can be challenging. We recommend reaching out to a few colleagues, family members, and friends. Ask them for their opinion. You'll probably be surprised at the consistency in their responses! Their answers will give you insight into how to answer this question. Tell the interviewer what sets you apart, and explain how your co-workers, family members, and friends have encouraged you with your gift in this area.
13. Tell me about a time when you had to think strategically.
How to Answer
What complex projects have you worked on? What large problems have you solved? These things make great examples for this question!
Complex Projects: Provide the interviewer with a high-level overview of the project you were working on, and dive into all of the components of the project you were juggling. Next, share how you thought through all of the project components, organizing them to ensure the project was completed on time and successfully. Finally, be sure to share how successful your project truly was.
Problem Solving: Provide the interviewer with an overview of the problem you needed to solve. Share that you thought about all of the possible solutions elaborating on the pros and cons of each. Finally, share which solution you ultimately selected as well as why it was the best solution in the long run.
14. Do you work well under pressure?
How to Answer
Absolutely! The interviewer needs to hear that you can handle a little pressure. Simply tell the interviewer that you are accustomed to meeting deadlines, having a busy workload, and working under pressure. Be sure to mention that you never let pressure get the best of you, and you know how to delegate work to the right people to help you manage your workload.
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15. Do you have supervising experience?
How to Answer
Be open and honest with the interviewer sharing what supervising experience you have. If you have experience with interviewing, making hiring decisions, writing performance reviews, mentoring, coaching, or having to let employees go, be sure to mention these things as well! Your response will help the interviewer understand what type of training you will need to be successful in the role.
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16. Do you work well on a team? How would you define teamwork?
How to Answer
Absolutely! The interviewer needs to hear that you work well on a team because being a supervisor means that you are leading the team! Begin by telling the interviewer that you work well on a team. Next, share that teamwork means having a group of people working cohesively together towards the same set of goals and objectives. It means that everyone understands their part of the puzzle, and people are willing to help each other reach the mutual goals.
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17. What leadership roles have you had in the past?
How to Answer
Have you been a supervisor or lead before? If so, that's great! Simply share where you worked, your job title, a brief overview of your day-to-day duties, and something you liked about each leadership role.
If you haven't been a supervisor or lead before, no problem! Just think outside the box! Have you coached a little league team? Have you been a math tutor? Did you lead a project in your last job? Were you assigned to run a new process? Or, maybe you are the leader of a boy scout troop! Simply share where you have led a group of people including your usual responsibilities. Be sure to mention that you enjoyed the experience, and you look forward to translating your experiences into the Warehouse Supervisor job.
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18. Give us an example of an emergency situation that you faced. How did you handle it?
How to Answer
Has there been an emergency situation you have handled? How about a very urgent problem you have solved? Or, what about that time you had to drop everything to get something done at the last minute for someone else? These will all make sufficient examples for this question. Simply share your situation with a high-level overview. The interviewer is truly interested in how you reacted! Next, share how you worked through the situation including what steps you took and the final outcome. Be sure to mention that you did not allow the situation to ruin your day, and you simply did what needed to be done!
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Try not to use language such as 'I kill it everyday', instead, simply say 'When challenges arise I always tackle them head on and try my hardest to complete each task that I am faced with.'
19. Tell me about your education. How has it prepared you for a career as a Warehouse Supervisor?
How to Answer
Provide the interviewer with an overview of your highest level of completed education including where you attended school and what degree you received. If you have attended any recent training seminars or conferences that are directly applicable, feel free to talk about those too! Next, share 2-3 key takeaways from your education. You might talk about your education preparing you to multi-task and manage a busy workload. You may discuss your education preparing you for OSHA compliance. You might even mention that your education helped prepare you for complex team projects. Next, share that your education has provided you with a good foundation, and you understand there will still be things to learn once you are on the job. Be sure to mention that you look forward to learning all that you can!
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20. Why do you want to work for our company?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to hear that you are passionate about some aspect of the organization. What do you like most about this company? Have you heard great things about it? Do they offer great benefits? Does the job have a unique aspect that appeals to you? Simply share what you like most about the company, and share that this is a big part of why you want to work for this organization!
21. How do you handle stressful situations?
How to Answer
With ease! You have achieved a supervisor level position, and it doesn't happen without being able to work through stressful times professionally and comfortably. Simply share with the interviewer that you are comfortable working through stressful situations. Mention that you do not let them bother you, and you simply take the necessary steps to work through them.
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22. How do you stay organized?
How to Answer
Interviewers need to hear that you have some method for keeping yourself organized. What tools do you use? Do you use an Outlook calendar to keep yourself on track? Do you keep a to-do list? Do you spend time each morning planning out your day? Do you take notes during meetings? Are you accustomed to having an assistant who helps you out? Simply share which tools you use to keep yourself organized!
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23. How do you prioritize your work?
How to Answer
Managing your workload is easy for you! What things do you do to ensure you prioritize your work? Do you spend time every Monday morning planning out your work? Do you have a label system on your to-do list to recognize what things are the most urgent? Do you schedule the most urgent tasks on your calendar? Tell the interviewer which methods you utilize on a regular basis to ensure your work remains organized!
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24. What is your greatest weakness? What are you doing to improve it?
How to Answer
We all have things we can improve on, so do not be afraid to share them. The interviewer will likely take note of your greatest weakness and may even provide you with additional training or mentoring if possible to help you excel. The interviewer wants to hear that your weakness is not critical for the job you are applying to. Think of something you could improve upon that is not necessary for the job, and openly share it with the interviewer. Next, share what things you have done to improve upon your weakness. The key is to have a plan! The interviewer wants to hear that you work through your weaknesses and do not allow them to be stumbling blocks. Simply share 1-2 ways you have worked on your weakness. This might including doing something to push yourself outside of your comfort zone, attending a seminar/workshop, or finding a mentor or coach to help you.
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25. What is your greatest strength? How does it help you as a Warehouse Supervisor?
How to Answer
What things have you repeatedly been complemented for? What are the common positive comments you receive on your performance reviews? These can be great starting points for identifying your greatest strength! Share one of these things with the interviewer stating that others have told you this is your greatest strength. Next, share how this strength will help you as a supervisor. You might say something like this, "I have been told by past managers that my greatest strength is my ability to strike up a conversation with anyone! As a supervisor, this will help me build relationships with my employees making us a stronger team."
Answer Example
"I have been told by past managers that my greatest strength is my ability to strike up a conversation with anyone! As a supervisor, this will help me build relationships with my employees making us a stronger team."
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26. Have you ever been caught stealing, or better yet, have you ever stole anything?
How to Answer
If you have been criminally charged with theft, you have an obligation to share this information during an interview when asked. If the charge was many years ago, be sure to explain how you have changed as a person and that you would never steal again.
For everyone else, no way! The interviewer needs to hear that you have sound ethics and morals, and they need to know you can be trusted with the supplies in the warehouse. Simply tell the interviewer that you have never stolen anything, and your moral compass leads you in the right direction!
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27. What does quality work mean to you?
How to Answer
Quality work means consistently achieving expectations while having a positive, ethical working environment. It means putting your best foot forward every day to ensure the success of the organization.
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28. Where do you see your career in five years?
How to Answer
The interviewer hopes to hear that you will stay with the company long-term.
If you are a student, tell the interviewer that you plan to stay at their company through graduation, and then share what career or further education you hope to be pursuing at that five-year mark. If the company offers careers in your field, such as management, be sure to mention that you would be open to considering a career in your field at their company if one is available upon graduating.
If you are not a student, no problem! Simply share that you see yourself working at the company! You may even mention that you hope to have received a promotion by the five year mark.
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29. What is the largest amount of employees you have supervised?
How to Answer
This one should be easy! Simply share the largest group you have supervised at any one time. Be sure to mention which employer this was with and how long you had a team this size.
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30. What mistakes have you made while being a leader for a group in the past? How have you learned from them?
How to Answer
We all make mistakes, and it is okay to share your mistakes during an interview! The key is sharing what you learned from the mistake, how you grew from the experience, and how it made you a better leader today. Begin by sharing a mistake you made while being a leader for a group. You might share that you jumped into work without getting to know your team. You may share that you forgot to send a reminder email for a very important meeting and half the group was late. You might share that you placed an order for the wrong materials and it set your group back by one week. Openly share your whoopsies with the interviewer. Next, share how guilty you felt when you realized your mistake, and mention what steps you took to ensure the mistake never happened again. Finally, discuss how going through that experience has made you a better leader.
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Looking back, I should have been more conservative in my estimate to the client. Experience taught me the value of "under promise & overdeliver", so I took this experience and used it to become better at managing expectations of clients during projects I oversee.
I realized that the client would not have been upset if I was clear about the timeline in advance, but they will be disappointed if you promise something and then do not deliver."
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31. What experience do you have in a warehouse?
How to Answer
Now is the time to share your related work experience! Begin by telling the interviewer which warehouses you have worked in, your role in each warehouse including your day-to-day duties & job title, and be sure to mention how long you worked at each facility. As a bonus, share something that you really enjoyed about each job. Sharing these insights will help the interviewer place you into a part of the warehouse that you will enjoy!
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32. Why do you want to work for our Warehouse team?
How to Answer
What is it about this particular warehouse that excites you? Does it have a great reputation? Do you like the greater cause that the organization supports? Are you fond of the products this warehouse supplies? The interviewer wants to hear that you are excited, so pick an aspect of the warehouse that you naturally like. Your passion and excitement will automatically come through when you tell the interviewer something you are truly interested in!