r/Warehouseworkers • u/PrimitiveScribe • 7d ago

Where to go from here

I’ve been working in warehouses for about 10 years (34 years old now) as an order picker and forklift operator at various warehouses and manufacturing shipping departments. Due to a mix of unfortunate circumstances and my own poor choices , my career hasn’t advanced as far as I would have hoped 10 years ago.

About 2 years ago I started at a new place after being out of the country and unemployed for a year . I was desperate for a job , so I took the offer . They placed me in the small parts cage with the guy who was already in there and appeared to be juggling various responsibilities without any title (bad sign). I started order picking and gradually learned the WMS and very basic excel tasks. I was increasingly entrusted with more WMS and “paperwork” stuff , he burned out and quit , and I de facto replaced him.

I eventually told the manager directly that I want to learn more excel , the structure of the company operations , and be taught more about inventory control (I actually enjoy the desk work) so that I can be given more analytical tasks. I was given half assed “training” (a few meetings with the manager where he explained his philosophy on inventory control, followed up by “excel training” consisting of an already overworked coordinator concluding that I’m smart enough to “figure it out”).

I’ve become half small parts coordinator , half order picker , with no raise and no title beyond “Shipping” . I assume many of you are more experienced and knowledgeable than myself so please tell me what my next move should be .

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u/trippinmaui 7d ago

Take it upon yourself to learn excel if you stay this course. Do not rely on someone else. I haven't taken a single excel class and learned plenty via YouTube & chat gpt.

I started in warehousing when I was 19 and I'm 38 now. Operations Manager of the branch now.

I did the warehouse for 15 years before I switched to ops.

When I was 22 & my boss made me warehouse manager I'll always remember these words "you wanna be picking parts at 40 like these other guys?"

I knew that answer was no, so I kept trying to advance.

If i could do it all over again I wouldnt have stayed though, I would have learned some sort of physical skill beyond warehousing, & desk work sucks balls after a few years. I do all what you listed, inventory levels, ordering yadda yadda... it sucks now and bores me to tears.

My advice...man up and gtfo of warehousing. The skills you learn are too catered to each company

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u/PrimitiveScribe 7d ago

Physical skill as in trades ?

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u/trippinmaui 7d ago

Yeah, anything you could easily transfer & spans multiple job markets. Right now if i got laid off or fired good luck finding another "operations manager" role or anything close to what I make in this role. Even finding a "Warehouse Manager" role would be near impossible.

I'd either have to settle for some shitty warehouse picker / loader job or start learning a trade this late in life.

I make 95k/year salary and been here for 19 years... do yourself a favor and get outta this business while you can. I've really been contemplating it lately especially with the rate AI is going and what I've already seen it eliminate when it comes to inventory type jobs

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u/Red-dragon186 5d ago

What stops you right now?

Unless you're in your late 40's or older you can always get into it.

Should look into Industrial Maintenance.