Job Zoom: Stock Manager
"I like this job because of the versatility it requires and because every day is different".
Valentin, stock manager at Logisseo
The stock manager is responsible for the organization and reliability of the company's stocks. He/she ensures that each item is available for picking, in sufficient quantity, so that all operations run as smoothly as possible. He/she is responsible for monitoring stock levels and optimizing their location, so that company staff can access them quickly.
The stock manager's missions
The stock manager ensures that stocks are constantly correct and consistent with preparation requirements. preparation requirements. He/she is responsible for the smooth flow of activity in the warehouse.
On a daily basis, it replenishes the picking bins. There are 2 methods of doing this: threshold replenishment, which is carried out when the product's stock reaches a predefined minimum number, and "just-in-time" replenishment, which is used to release pending orders and thus dispatch them on the same day. To do this, he uses software that gives him a global view of stock levels.
The stock manager is also responsible for creating andorganizing picking aisle locations, in particular for installing new products in the warehouse.
He ensures that items are correctly set up and that the picking path is coherent. On the shelves, he applies the ABC method, which enables fast-moving products to be positioned at hand height, to limit the musculoskeletal disorders that can be caused by certain movements.
He or she is also in charge of organizing inventories: in this context, he or she draws up and manages the estimates needed to carry out the inventory, then estimates the number of people required and the timeframe over which the inventory will be carried out. Finally, he/she takes care of the organization on D-day, and draws up a summary to report any discrepancies and analyze their causes. The stock manager is also in contact with customer companies in the event of lost, dirty or damaged items, for example, and updates computerized inventories accordingly.
The skills needed to be a good stock manager
To be an efficient stock manager, it is important to have a number of qualities, necessary for the accomplishment of your missions, such as :
- Autonomy
- Dynamism
- Team spirit
- Analytical skills
- Reliability
- Versatility
- Precision
- Reactivity
- Rigor
In addition, certain more technical skills are required to be a good stock manager: in particular, it is essential to know how to drive handling equipment (CACES 3 and 5 in particular), as well as to be able to use specific software called a WMS and a Portable Terminal.
What training and qualifications does a stock manager need?
To become a stock manager, it's a good idea to have a degree or diploma of 2 years or more in logistics and/or management. This will make it easier to grasp the tasks entrusted to you and understand the issues involved.
It's also preferable to have some knowledge of logistics, even if you can learn more about the job directly in the field, as Valentin, a stock manager at Logisseo, did!
The CSR aspect of stock management
The stock manager is particularly concerned by the Occupational Health and Safety aspect of CSR. Indeed, by working with the ABC method to organize the warehouse, he or she helps limit the risk of MSD (musculoskeletal disorders).
He must also ensure that pallets, picking areas and even products are arranged correctly, to minimize the risk of falling.
The stock manager's career prospects
Thanks to the experience and skills he has developed, he can be entrusted with larger-scale projects, as at Logisseo, where Valentin managed the warehouse relocation project in collaboration with the logistics manager. This enabled him to draw up plans and consider the best possible organization, whether in terms of resource allocation during the move, for example, or the new layout of the aisles on site. In some companies, the stock manager also has the opportunity to become a team leader, or to progress to the position of logistics manager.
The example of Valentin, stock manager at Logisseo
Valentin joined Logisseo in November 2020, where he has been working directly in this position. He never had any specific training in logistics and learned everything on the job, in the companies where he worked.
For Valentin, the most important qualities in his job are availability, responsiveness and accessibility: it's important to be able to listen to other employees and customers, to create a serene and pleasant working atmosphere. You also need to be rigorous, reliable and dynamic in order to successfully carry out the tasks entrusted to you.
What Valentin likes most about his job is its versatility. Although there's a certain routine, he likes the fact that his daily routine is very varied.