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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Distribution Technician

💰 $35,000 - $60,000

LogisticsWarehouseDistributionSupply Chain

🎯 Role Definition

The Distribution Technician is an operations-focused professional responsible for the accurate receipt, storage, handling, and shipping of product in a fast-paced warehouse or distribution center. This role requires strong hands-on skills with material handling equipment (forklift, pallet jack), experience with warehouse management systems (WMS/RF scanners), attention to inventory accuracy, and a safety-first mindset. The Distribution Technician supports daily order fulfillment, cycle counting, shipping documentation, carrier coordination, and continuous improvement initiatives to meet on-time delivery and inventory accuracy KPIs.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Warehouse Associate / Material Handler
  • Shipping & Receiving Clerk
  • Military logistics or supply specialist

Advancement To:

  • Lead Distribution Technician / Senior Distribution Technician
  • Distribution Supervisor / Team Lead
  • Logistics Coordinator / Inventory Manager
  • Operations Supervisor or Warehouse Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Quality Inspector (Warehouse)
  • Facilities / Maintenance Technician
  • Supply Chain Analyst (with data/WMS experience)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Receive incoming shipments, verify packing lists and bills of lading, inspect product for damage, and report discrepancies; accurately log receipts into the warehouse management system (WMS) and coordinate quarantine or returns as required.
  • Operate forklift, reach truck, pallet jack and other material handling equipment to unload trailers, move pallets to staging or storage locations, and stage orders for shipping while following OSHA and company safety policies.
  • Pick, pack and prepare customer and internal orders to spec using RF scanners/WMS pick modules, ensuring accuracy, correct labeling, and appropriate packing materials to protect product during transport.
  • Stage and load freight into outbound trailers according to load plans and carrier specifications, verify carrier paperwork (BOL, manifest) and obtain driver signatures; coordinate with carriers for on-time pickups and resolve shipping exceptions.
  • Conduct daily cycle counts and periodic physical inventories, identify and investigate inventory variances, reconcile records in WMS/ERP (e.g., SAP, Oracle NetSuite), and implement corrective actions to improve inventory accuracy.
  • Complete shipping documentation including bills of lading, packing slips, hazardous material declarations, and export paperwork where applicable; ensure compliance with DOT, IATA and company shipping requirements.
  • Handle returned product (RMA processing) by inspecting returns, documenting condition, updating inventory status, and coordinating credit or repair workflows with customer service or quality teams.
  • Maintain warehouse organization and 5S standards—clean work areas, properly label locations, rotate stock using FIFO/LIFO rules, and ensure storage is compliant with product handling requirements.
  • Monitor and report key performance indicators (KPIs) such as picks per hour, dock-to-stock time, on-time shipments, and inventory accuracy; participate in daily huddles and shift handoffs to drive operational performance.
  • Perform basic troubleshooting and first-line maintenance on distribution equipment (forklifts, conveyors, scale systems), report safety hazards and escalate mechanical issues to maintenance teams.
  • Coordinate with production, procurement and customer service teams to prioritize rush orders, manage backorders, and support expedited shipments to meet customer SLAs.
  • Execute kitting and assembly of multi-piece orders or promotional packs according to work orders and quality specifications, and update WMS to reflect assembled SKUs and quantities.
  • Ensure proper handling, separation and documentation of hazardous materials and regulated products in accordance with regulatory guidelines and company policy.
  • Train and mentor new distribution associates on safe equipment operation, picking/packing procedures, WMS use, and quality expectations to reduce onboarding time and minimize errors.
  • Use handheld scanners, mobile computers, and desktop WMS interfaces to enter transactions, query inventory, generate reports, and correct mis-picks or misplaced inventory.
  • Support cross-dock operations by receiving and quickly staging inbound product for immediate outbound shipment, maintaining tight coordination with transportation planners and scheduling teams.
  • Implement continuous improvement suggestions from lean/Kaizen events by piloting new picking strategies, layout changes, or workflow adjustments and measuring impact on throughput and accuracy.
  • Respond to and resolve shipping/receiving discrepancies, damaged goods claims, and pick shortages by investigating root causes and communicating resolution to stakeholders.
  • Maintain accurate and auditable records for compliance, including cold-chain logs, temperature monitoring (if applicable), calibration certificates for scales and test equipment, and quality inspection documentation.
  • Ensure adherence to company safety policies by conducting pre-shift safety checks, wearing required PPE, participating in safety training, and reporting incidents or near-misses immediately.
  • Participate in internal and external audits (inventory, safety, quality) by preparing documentation, executing sample pulls, and implementing corrective action plans as directed.
  • Assist with seasonal and peak-period workload planning by identifying staffing needs, temporary storage solutions and equipment requirements to maintain service levels.
  • Support system upgrades and WMS/ERP rollouts by providing operational input, participating in user acceptance tests (UAT), and documenting process changes for training materials.

Secondary Functions

  • Provide ad-hoc support to supply chain reporting needs by extracting transaction-level data from WMS and communicating operational context to analysts.
  • Assist inventory control and procurement teams with forecasting observations gleaned from warehouse trends and shrinkage patterns.
  • Help maintain spare parts inventory for material handling equipment and notify maintenance when critical spares fall below par levels.
  • Fill in for peers or rotate across shipping, receiving, and inventory control to ensure continuous coverage and cross-training across the team.
  • Support safety and quality training sessions by preparing materials, demonstrating correct procedures, and contributing to SOP updates.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proficiency with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), RF scanning, and mobile data terminals; experience with SAP, Oracle NetSuite, Manhattan or similar systems preferred.
  • Forklift certification with demonstrated safe operation of forklifts (counterbalance, reach, narrow-aisle) and powered industrial trucks.
  • Strong shipping and receiving knowledge including BOL preparation, carrier coordination, palletization, trailer loading and dock operations.
  • Inventory control and cycle counting expertise, including variance investigation and reconciliation in ERP/WMS.
  • Experience with order picking methods (batch, zone, wave), kitting, packing optimization and packing material selection to minimize damage and cost.
  • Basic understanding of hazardous materials handling (HAZMAT) regulations and proper labeling/segregation procedures.
  • Familiarity with shipping carriers (UPS, FedEx, LTL carriers) and freight tendering processes.
  • Ability to read and interpret packing lists, invoices, SKU labels, production work orders and QC specifications.
  • Basic mechanical aptitude for routine equipment checks, conveyors, scales and performing or coordinating light repairs.
  • Data entry accuracy and experience generating operational reports, KPI tracking, and using spreadsheets (Excel) for basic analysis.
  • Knowledge of safety and compliance standards (OSHA, DOT) and experience participating in safety audits.

Soft Skills

  • Strong attention to detail and accuracy under high-volume, deadline-driven conditions.
  • Clear verbal and written communication skills for coordinating with carriers, team members and cross-functional partners.
  • Problem solving and root-cause analysis orientation to reduce recurring errors and improve processes.
  • Team player who can both follow direction and take initiative when issues arise.
  • Time management and prioritization skills to balance multiple pick/pack/ship tasks efficiently.
  • Adaptability to shift changes, peak seasons and process updates or system changes.
  • Customer service mindset — internal and external — with commitment to meeting SLAs and service expectations.
  • Leadership potential to mentor new hires and support continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Dependability, punctuality and commitment to workplace safety and quality standards.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED

Preferred Education:

  • Associate degree or certificate in Logistics, Supply Chain, Industrial Technology, or related field
  • Forklift and safety certifications preferred

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Supply Chain Management
  • Logistics & Transportation
  • Business Administration
  • Industrial Technology
  • Operations Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–5 years in warehouse, distribution, or logistics roles

Preferred: 2–4 years of hands-on experience in a distribution center environment with WMS/RF systems, forklift operation, shipping & receiving, and inventory control

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