Tag: career advice

Large organisations such as Asda, Amazon, B&Q, the list continues, as well as medium size companies require a highly skilled warehouse manager to oversee receipt, storage, re-packaging, and dispatch of materials and goods.

As part of, often a global, supply chain process, efficient warehouse managers are skilled at working within a fast-paced industry to organise goods, processes, systems and people (as well as stakeholders) to ensure customers receive their products on time.

This is a technical position that only certain career professionals can gain. Therefore, employers will test applicants with a range of technical and competency-based job interview questions.

Predicting the questions for a warehouse manager position, allows candidates to prepare their example answers.

Warehouse Management Interview Questions (with answers)

Give me an overview of your warehouse management experience

It’s not enough just to state the number of years an applicant has had in warehouse management, or to talks about the entry route into this position. Instead, the employer is looking to hear an overview of the candidate’s skill set.

An example opening line could follow in the lines of; “In all my previous warehouse management roles I have created systems, processes and procedures to ensure the warehouse is a successful part of the supply-chain….”

Once an overview has been given, regarding the interviewee’s experience, specifics relevant to the warehouse sub-sector can be stated. There are too many warehouse niches to record here, but an example maybe “…With over 10 years of experience specialising in cold storage transportation, I have an excellent working knowledge of store temperature-controlled products, such as food and pharmaceuticals, and hazardous materials….”

The applicant does not need to go into too much detail here, as additional competency-based job interview questions will be asked throughout the interview. The goal, when answering this initial interview question, is to create interest.

The answer can then be ended with additional references to standard job duties; “…my ability to build strong working relationships with suppliers allows me to gain the best prices for materials….”

How does the warehouse contribute to the business objectives?

Employers understand the importance of warehouse operations in terms of having a successful business. For some businesses, such as retail, the outfacing store is viewed (by the public) to be the key element of the business, as many people don’t consider the importance of marketing, accounts, logistics, buyers and of course the warehouse operations.

When hiring a warehouse manager, the interviewer will want to ensure that the hired candidate understands how their department is one of many cogs in the successful business machine.

When replying to this job interview question, be sure to explain how the warehouse, along with all other departments, work collaboratively, but also explain how, as a warehouse manager, you help the individual cogs connect. Give an example of how you have worked with other department managers on new projects, or, as an example on specific processes “I have found one way to decrease overhead cost is to work closely with the finance manager when purchasing materials or goods. Most warehouse managers simply purchase the required materials when needed, instead, I make a point of working the finance manager to discuss projected volumes, prices and approved suppliers, and look at ways to decrease cost…”

Give an example of coordinating incoming and exporting goods and materials?

After a couple of ‘opening’ interview questions, the interviewer will ask all applicants competency based interview questions, checking that the applicant has the skills, knowledge and experience to be a suitable member of the management team.

To answer the ‘example’ interview question, start the reply by describing the warehouse environment to ensure the employer understands the barriers the applicant faced “While working at X organisation I was responsible for incoming of raw materials (give detail) that was manufactured into goods, that I exported all over Europe…”

Be specific with the problem “… the barrier we faced was the number of incoming goods that would arrive at any one time, creating a backlog in the yard….” When stating any problem, go into detail how the barrier disrupted the day to day operations of the warehouse.

To finish, the applicant can make themselves stand out by explaining the solution they created and the positive outcome that resulted from this “The solution was down to communication. A number of suppliers wouldn’t commit to a specific delivery time on the date of delivery and would turn up between 9-4 because of their busy schedule. I telephoned each individual supplier explaining that I wanted to help them meet their schedule targets, by offering them a timeslot, this way their drivers wouldn’t have to wait in the ques, which could last as long as 2hrs….”

Explain what process you use to manage stock?

Stock management, stock rotation and stock control is one of the key aspects of a warehouse manager’s job role. Each warehouse and each warehouse manager will have their own system for the management of stock based on its industry.

When answering a systems interview question, the interviewee can make it easy for the employer to understand by using a ‘step method’ interview technique. Simply, break the whole process into 3 steps. Each step depends on your industry, but the goal here is to describe a stock management system simply to show your high level of knowledge.

“There are 3 steps to managing stock; step 1 stock control…where I….Step 2 stock rotation…to ensure stock is used within….Step 3…stock control….”

How is technology changing this sector?

The whole sector is being changed due to the integration of technology, from Amazon using warehouse robots to live to track deliveries. A quick ‘google’ and anyone can find a list of warehouse technology that will be integrated into most warehouses over the next few years.

To answer the ‘warehouse technology’ question, start by listing a number of technologies and pick one, relevant to the employer’s sector to delve into. Give, both, the pro’s and con’s of the technology “robotics in the warehouse, like the amazon robots, are very useful as they streamline the supply chain process, saving on overhead cost, but unlike humans, the robots cant adapt, in the moment, to any unforeseen situations.”

Give an example of quality control?

Each organisation has its own systems for quality control. Once employed the successful candidate will be trained in the internal quality control processes. Therefore, this interview question isn’t looking for interviewees to state all the quality control steps for their current employer, instead, the employer is checking if each candidate understands the importance of quality control steps.

This answer is better started by stating that the candidate is very experienced in the implementation and checking of quality. Followed on by explaining the benefits of completing quality checks through storytelling; set the scene; how an order was ready for dispatch, create a hook; the issue with the product and the harm this could cause to a customer(s) and positive ending; how the quality checks uncovered the issue and saved the day.

What is the main points of the Health and Safety at work act in relation to warehouse management?

The Health and Safety at Work act describes all the key points a warehouse manager needs to know. When answering questions around H&S in the workplace you are not required to state each of the individual acts. Instead, you need to reassure the employer that you are fully aware of the day to day actions a warehouse manager needs to take to stop or minimise any workplace accidents.

Confirm, confidently, the importance of health and safety to you as a warehouse manager. Describe how you train, monitor and enforce that all team members follow the regulations set down to keep everyone safe. When working within a specialist area that uses chemical, plant machinery, industrial materials, give additional details on the specific steps you need to take within this industry.

What is the most important thing to consider when recruiting new staff

All managers will be involved in the recruit of new team members. There is always, at least one question relating to staff recruitment, staff retention, or staff development.

Experienced warehouse managers can answer this question easily relating to a previous experience. To gain additional points on the interview scorecard, think about the culture of the new organisation that you are interviewing for. To understand how an organisation operates applicants can embed company culture questions into their job interviews.

By gaining an insight to what this company value, you can link this to the answer of staff recruitment. As an example, if the employers deems staff development important, you can answer the interview question by focusing on how you always develop, train and coach your team, leading them to hit all targets.

Job Interview Advice

Successful job applicants are able to recognize, the often ambiguous, meaning of a stated job interview question.

This simple, but important interview rule is often overlooked. An unprepared interviewee, often feeling anxious, will answer the job interview questions without discovering the meaning of the question.

In this sense, even a well-delivered interview answer can be marked low on the interview scorecard because the answer doesn’t reference any of the essential criteria relating to the job role.

Employers use the ambiguous interview questions and scoring process as a tool to check the applicant’s knowledge and experience – their competencies. An experienced employee will answer sector related questions naturally hitting the scored criteria. This is a prediction of the candidate’s potential job performance

“Answering interview questions with natural references to the job criteria is a sure sign the interviewee is likely to perform well once employed”

Chris Delaney – Author and Interview Coach

To help job seekers to prepare for the job interview, we have created a list of commonly asked interview questions and there hidden meanings

The interviewer by asking all applicants this interview question is creating competition – who is the best fit or who can offer more? This may seem manipulative, but it isn’t its human nature. We all want to get the most for our money – when reviewing car insurance offers from two providers, if the price is the same, most people will pick the provider that also offers something additional for free.

Interviewees, to pass a job interview, need to identify the difference between a competency-based job interview question and an informal one, as well as recognising the hidden meaning of the interview question.

Job Interview Questions Meanings

Why have you applied for a position at this company? Interview Question

What is really being asked here is what do you know about the organisations vision, mission and values. By hiring an applicant who resonates with the company the employee is more likely to want to stay with the organisation for a longer duration.

With many career professionals job-hopping between organisations once every 3 years, businesses have realised the cost-saving advantage of recruiting employees who, due to shared values, will want to stay within the organisation.

Staff retention equals increased performance, increased performance equals higher profits

Tell me about yourself? Interview Question

This commonly asked interview question is one way of saying – can you meet the job criteria? Employers want to know if applicants have what it takes?

Each employer has a list of essential criteria that each interview applicant is scored against. The candidates with the highest-scoring interview scorecard are offered the position. This initial interview question, which is asked prior to the specific competency-based interview questions, is looking for an overview of the interviewees, attitude, work ethic and experiences.

Depending on the answer, an interview identity is created; if the identity is negative, the interviewer is likely to score the proceeding interview answers low, or high if the identity created is positive – the halo effect

What can you bring to the team? Interview Question

Organisations need an edge on their competitors. This question is nicely asking – how can hiring you benefit us? Employers want to know what applicant’s talents are, what skill sets they possess, and what their unique selling point is, so they can exploit this (positively) in the workplace.

The interview process is designed to predict an applicants job performance once employed. The barrier employers face is that most interviewees give a ‘best situation’ answer rather than business as normal. As an example if asked ‘give an example of working within a team’ the applicant will use the example of when they excelled, even if there normal teamwork practice is to sit back and do nothing.

The ‘what can you bring to the team’ question results in an employer knowing how you would act at your very best. The applicants best is compared to the expected workplace standard.

What are you most proud of in your career? Interview Question

By asking what an interviewee is most proud of the employer will hear about the applicant’s best career-related experience – this is the candidates key achievement. If the ‘best achievment’ answer is below par based on the employer’s standards, then it is unlikely that the applicant will have the right aptitude for the new role.

This question is also used by employers who look at personal values (and how they match, or don’t, the company values)

Applicants who answer with a dismissive answer will be seen as unpassionate. Employers more than ever are looking for employees who, at the minimum have an interest in the sector, but ideally those career professionals who desire to work for the organisation.

Job Interview Advice

Questions and Answers for a Supervisor Poistion at Greggs

After 75 years in the business, Greggs is one of the most famous bakery chains in the UK. Greggs not only provide affordable food, they also have a mission to make a difference. On the ‘about’ page of Greggs, they explain and discuss their commitment to making a difference with the Greggs foundation scheme, charity fundraisers and other community programmes.

When applying for a Greggs managerial role, candiates need to be aware that Greggs isn’t simply on organisation that is interested in profit – and how your interview answers have to reflect their vision, mission and values.

We have collated a list of commonly asked supervisory and managerial questions for a position at Greggs, and explain the type of answer the employer is looking to hear from a potential Greggs supervisor/manager.

Greggs Interview Questions and Answers

Each question is broken down into the reason the question has been asked and the appropriate interview answer, designed to be marked high on the interview scorecard.

Tell me why you have applied for a position at Greggs?

Opening job interview questions, no matter how they are worded, are designed to see if you have the experience, attitude as well as an understanding of the organisation.

Often this interview question is split into two; ‘tell me about yourself’ and ‘what do you know about Greggs?’

The approach to answering the ‘why have you applied for a position at Greggs’s’ question is relatively easy. The goal is to reference what you know about the organisation; there mission and values, while highlighting your supervisory skills and experiences with confident communication – creating a positive interview identity

A strong opening line can be worded similar to: “When applying for new roles I look for organisation that gives something back to the community, I was really interested in the foundation scheme that Greggs is committed to….” This type of opening line shows

1) a shared interest in helping the community (crossed values)

2) that you have researched the organisation (employee commitment)

3) that you applied for Greggs for a particular reason, not just for ‘any old job’ (staff retention)

With rapport being build from the initial answer, you next need to highlight what you can bring to the team “…as a supervisor with over 8 years experience working in busy retail outlets I am highlighly skilled at…..”

This middle section of the job interview answer showcases the interviewee’s knowledge and experience within a few simple lines – remember, in the following interview questions the applicant will have an opportunity to go into detail, explaining their unique selling point. Here though, the goal is to hook the interviewer’s interest.

Finally, end the interview answer with a strong summary wrapping up the reply “…so, to end, I know I have the skills and experience to be a valued team member of the Greggs family, and I know that I would excel in an organisation that has the community at the heart of its business”

This final line shows confidence by the assertiveness of the summary while reminding the interviewer that you have the shared values of the organisation (which hints at retention and commitment)

What is your approach to managing a teams working pattern to ensure that the store can be operational during opening times

When asked any interview question about the day to day operations of the job role, you know that from the employer’s perspective that they deem this skill as essential.

For Greggs, employing a supervisor or manager who can manage the working patterns of a mixed team (full, part and seasonal staff, and employees with different skill sets), is essential to ensure that stores are open for business.

When answering this interview question, you need to reply to the question with confidence. First, explain that you are aware of the complexity of staffing: “supervising staff in a Greggs store can be a little complicated. It’s not the same as a clothing store where all staff can cover all roles; stocktaking, tills, etc, In Greggs, we need to ensure that we have staff in the store who can operate the ovens, serve customers and those who have the relevant food safety training. In addition, extra staff are required during busy periods such as Christmas….”

By stating each problem the applicant is showing an awareness of the business. Once each barrier has been explained, a solution, the candidate’s approach, needs to be explained. “When starting a new supervisory position I first review the staffing; who works what shift patterns, with staff members have restrictions to working certain hours, having childcare as an example, the common busy periods of the store and the employees skill set and qualifications. A rota can then be created to ensure that each shift has the required team members included, such as a baker and an employee with the authorization to take the cash at night. Finally, I have back up staff members who I know can cover shifts is employees are ill. This way all eventualities are covered for.”

How do you ensure that all employees adhere to health and safety and hygiene regulations?

The food sector, more than most other industries, will always ask questions regarding health, safety, and food hygiene regulations due to the number of government guidelines an organisation has to adhere to.

As a supervisor, the successful applicant is responsible for ensuring that staff follows policies and procedures relating to this. Some interview questions are best answered with an example, and others more analytical. Questions regarding procedures, such as this one, come across stronger with a step by step explanation;

“There are 3 steps required to ensure that all staff adheres to H&S regulations. The initial step is ensuring that each member of staff attends company training and/or refreshers there training in the appropriate time frame. To monitor this I record staff training requirements in a training log. “

“Next, I ensure that all guidelines, regulations and company policies and procedures are on display in the store, as a visual reminder. And finally, I make spot inspections to check that all staff are implementing the legislation, and if required support staff to follow them.”

Give an example of motivating an employee?

Most interview questions are best answered with the use of an ‘example’. When asked to give an example, be certain to use a real-life story.

A manager ensures processes and procedures are followed, a leader motivates staff to work at their best.

With any ‘example’ answer; start by stating a problem or barrier “when I started at X organisation as a new manager, it was clear that there was a motivational issue with the whole team that was effecting customer retention…”

Next, the interviewee has to make it clear the steps they took to overcome the problem “to overcome the lack of employee motivation I…A, B and C…”

And finally, state the positive outcome “this resulted in …..”

How would you increase store profits?

Even though Greggs bakery has a positive attitude towards supporting the local community, it is still a business that is required to make a profit. As a Greggs supervisor or manager, you will need to prepare an answer to interview questions relating to profit margins.

Ideally using a real-life example of how you have previously increased store profit will help you gain extra points on the interview scorecard, but alternatively explaining what you would do in the future also highlights the applicant’s competencies.

Two ways to answer this question is either focus on decreasing overhead cost – explaining how to cut down on waste or over-ordering on goods is an established way to save cost or to discuss income generation through, as an example a promotion linked the national events; young carers day, Olympics, Christmas, etc

What questions would you like to ask us?

At the end of each interview, interviewees have an opportunity to ask the employer a question(s)

Ask about how the local Greggs store supports local charities to show that you have an interest, as Greggs does, in the local community.

Inquire about internal training and promotional opportunities to highlight that you are keen to work for Greggs, not just any old employer.

And finally, ask about the store manager’s managerial style to ensure that you would work well in this environment.

Job Interview Advice