Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a General Warehouse Worker

🎯 Role Definition

The General Warehouse Worker is the operational backbone of our distribution center, playing a direct, hands-on role in the journey of our products from receiving to shipment. This position is fundamental to our supply chain's success, ensuring that inventory is handled with care, orders are fulfilled with precision, and our customers receive their products on time and in perfect condition. Team members in this role are responsible for maintaining the seamless flow of goods through the facility, upholding the highest standards of safety, quality, and efficiency.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Retail Associate / Stocker
General Laborer
No prior formal experience

Advancement To:

Warehouse Team Lead
Inventory Control Specialist
Warehouse Supervisor

Lateral Moves:

Shipping and Receiving Clerk
Equipment Operator (Forklift, Reach Truck)
Logistics Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Receive and unload inbound shipments from trucks and containers, meticulously verifying contents against purchase orders and manifests to ensure accuracy.
Accurately pick customer orders from assigned warehouse locations using an RF (Radio Frequency) scanner, voice-picking technology, or paper pick lists.
Securely pack and prepare orders for shipment, selecting the most appropriate packing materials to prevent damage and ensure product integrity during transit.
Sort and place incoming products, parts, and materials onto racks, shelves, or in designated bins according to a predetermined sequence and organizational standards.
Apply shipping labels, packing slips, bills of lading, and other critical documentation to outbound packages and pallets with exceptional accuracy.
Operate material handling equipment, such as manual/electric pallet jacks and hand-trucks, to safely move inventory throughout the warehouse.
Load outbound trucks, trailers, and containers, ensuring proper weight distribution, stability, and securing of the load to prevent shifting.
Conduct regular cycle counts and participate in full physical inventory audits to maintain a high level of inventory accuracy and control.
Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work environment by adhering to 5S principles, clearing aisles, and following all company safety guidelines.
Inspect products for defects, damage, or other quality-related issues upon receipt or prior to shipment, and report any discrepancies to a supervisor immediately.
Utilize the Warehouse Management System (WMS) to accurately process transactions, look up inventory locations, and track order progress from picking to shipping.
Assemble customer orders from various stock locations and consolidate them into a single area for final packing and shipment.
Break down and dispose of cardboard, shrink wrap, and other dunnage and waste materials in the appropriate recycling and trash receptacles.
Perform daily pre-use safety inspections on all material handling equipment and promptly report any mechanical issues or maintenance needs.
Work collaboratively and communicate effectively with team members, leads, and supervisors to meet daily production goals and operational deadlines.
Handle and process customer returns (reverse logistics), inspecting returned items and routing them to the appropriate disposition area (restock, quarantine, etc.).
Shrink-wrap and band pallets to prepare them for storage or shipment, ensuring stability and protection of the goods.
Adhere to all OSHA regulations and company-specific safety protocols, including the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Secondary Functions

Assist in the training and onboarding of new team members by demonstrating proper procedures, safety protocols, and equipment use.
Participate in continuous improvement initiatives and team meetings, providing feedback on workflow processes and potential areas for increased efficiency.
Provide cross-functional support to adjacent departments, such as shipping, receiving, or inventory, during periods of high volume or staff shortages.
Perform minor facility maintenance tasks, such as sweeping floors, clearing debris from dock areas, and organizing work stations and supplies.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Material Handling: Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull objects weighing up to 50 lbs consistently and safely.
Equipment Operation: Experience operating manual and electric pallet jacks. Forklift operation certification (or the ability to become certified) is a strong plus.
RF Scanner Proficiency: Experience using RF scanning devices for order picking, put-away, and inventory management.
Basic Math & Numeracy: Solid arithmetic skills for counting, verifying quantities, and checking SKU numbers.
Systems Familiarity: Basic computer skills and the ability to learn and use a Warehouse Management System (WMS) or similar inventory software.
-Physical Stamina: Ability to stand, walk, bend, crouch, and stoop for the duration of a full shift.
Safety Compliance: Knowledge of basic warehouse safety procedures and OSHA guidelines.

Soft Skills

Attention to Detail: Meticulous and precise in all tasks to ensure order accuracy and prevent inventory errors.
Reliability & Punctuality: A strong work ethic demonstrated by consistent attendance and on-time arrival.
Teamwork: The ability to collaborate effectively and positively with a diverse group of team members to achieve common goals.
Adaptability: Flexibility to switch between tasks and adapt to changing priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
Problem-Solving: The initiative to identify and report issues with orders, inventory, or equipment to the appropriate leader.
Communication: Clear and effective verbal communication skills to relay information and ask questions.
Time Management: Ability to work efficiently and manage one's own time to meet or exceed productivity targets.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED

Preferred Education:

Vocational certificate in logistics or a related field

Relevant Fields of Study:

Logistics
Supply Chain Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0-2 years of experience in a warehouse, distribution, or manufacturing environment.

Preferred: 1+ year of experience in a similar role, particularly with direct experience using RF scanners and WMS software in a high-volume setting.