What are the 7 Critical Traits of a Warehouse

Project Manager?
Perhaps the most crucial role in the successful implementation of a warehouse management solution
belongs to the Warehouse Project Manager who we call a Warehouse Champion, that’s the person who,
regardless of their position within a company, has the clout, know-how, management skills, and
enthusiasm to oversee a WMS roll-out and the next several years of warehouse operation.

When it comes to introducing a warehouse management system into a distribution environment, we

find that businesses who do not designate a Warehouse Champion do not experience smooth roll-
outs. That is why the Warehouse Champion is so important; the Warehouse Champion is not just a
designated point of contact for WMS implementation. The Warehouse Champion is a true advocate for
the warehouse as a valuable business asset.

Where do Warehouse Project Managers or Champions come

from?
The Warehouse Champion can be an IT manager or a warehouse floor supervisor. She can be a CEO or
an accountant. He can be an outside project management consultant or someone who has been with the
company for decades.
In order to properly manage a distribution facility and technology rollout, the Warehouse Champion
needs to be someone who is onsite, project-managing operations. It’s not someone who rose through
the ranks through attrition; rather, the Warehouse Champion has become a logistics expert by choice,
and has the ability to objectively observe warehouse practices in order to improve them, and has some
project management skills.
Warehouse Champions can come from all corners of a business, but regardless of how they rose
through (or joined) the ranks, for every successful WMS rollout, PathGuide has been able to pinpoint
and work closely with a Warehouse Champion.

What 7 traits do most Warehouse Champions share?

In PathGuide’s 25+ years of experience, the most effective Warehouse Champions share the following
7 traits:

1. Exceptional leadership skills

An effective Warehouse Champion must have the kind of leadership skills that allow for effective
management of teams and projects, as well as the kind of charisma and know-how that engender trust
from warehouse staff and the rest of management.

2. Belief in technology as a solution

A Warehouse Champion believes that embracing automation technology is critical to growing the
distribution business while remaining competitive. While there are many different avenues that will
help a warehouse staff increase job efficiency, such as advanced training and exceptional organization,
nothing comes close to improving a warehouse’s operational efficiency like warehouse automation
technology. This includes everything from barcode scanners and a well-integrated warehouse
management system, to solutions like parcel shipping and even carousels and voice picking.

3. Understands that better efficiency = better business

A Warehouse Champion understands that improving warehouse processes will save time, reduce costs,
and improve customer service. Beyond reduced costs, a more efficient warehouse can improve
customer retention and increase sales. Warehouse Champions know that the entire business benefits
when customers are happy.

4. Considers warehouse management a career

Warehouse Champions see their role in the warehouse as a true value-add. A Warehouse Champion is
dedicated to a single organization for the foreseeable future. If a Warehouse Champion is a consultant,
then that person is committed to seeing the full implementation of a warehouse automation solution
through, from start to finish (and perhaps beyond).

5. Sees the big picture

Although a Warehouse Champion is not bogged down in minute details, the best Champions have
project manager skills and able to see both the forest and the trees. A detailed understanding of how the
warehouse operates is essential, but a good Warehouse Champion also knows when to stay out of the
weeds.

6. Sees the warehouse as the heart of a business

A warehouse isn’t a minor asset when it comes to distribution businesses – it’s the very center. If the
warehouse isn’t operating a peak efficiency, then neither is the rest of the organization. Rather than
assigning blame, the Warehouse Champion innovates and drives change in the warehouse.

7. Relies on actual data to improve operations

A Warehouse Champion requires hard data, rather than anecdotes, to measure improvements in
warehouse efficiency. Because you can’t manage what you can’t measure, a Warehouse Champion
insists on having access to the kinds of technological tools that allow detailed measurements and
analysis of warehouse performance.