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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Order Picker / Packer

💰 $ - $

LogisticsWarehouseFulfillmentOperations

🎯 Role Definition

The Order Picker / Packer is a frontline warehouse role focused on accurate, timely fulfillment of customer orders. This position executes picking assignments using paper-based or electronic systems (RF scanners, pick-to-light, WMS), secures and packs goods to carrier and company standards, stages shipments, and supports inventory integrity. The ideal candidate consistently meets productivity and quality KPIs, follows safety and compliance protocols, and collaborates with cross-functional teams in a fast-paced logistics or e-commerce environment.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Warehouse Associate / Material Handler
  • Seasonal Fulfillment Associate (holiday/temp roles)
  • Shipping & Receiving Clerk

Advancement To:

  • Lead Order Picker / Lead Packer
  • Fulfillment Supervisor / Shift Supervisor
  • Inventory Control Specialist
  • Warehouse Operations Coordinator

Lateral Moves:

  • Shipping & Receiving Specialist
  • Quality Control Inspector (packing/inspection)
  • Cross-dock / Dock Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Accurately pick customer orders from warehouse racks, shelves, and pallets using WMS, RF scanners, handheld devices, or paper pick lists; verify SKU, quantity and location to ensure 99%+ order accuracy.
  • Pack products to meet company and carrier packaging standards, including protective wrapping, cushioning, correct boxing, seal/label application, and packing list insertion for damage prevention and carrier compliance.
  • Operate material handling equipment safely—pallet jack, electric pallet truck, walkie, and (where certified) forklift—to move pallets, load trucks, and stage trailers for shipping.
  • Scan items and update inventory and order status in the Warehouse Management System (WMS) in real time; reconcile discrepancies and escalate system errors.
  • Perform quality checks on items prior to packing, including lot number, expiration date verification (FEFO/FIFO), and inspect for defects or damage to prevent customer returns.
  • Build, palletize, shrink-wrap and label finished pallets for shipment; follow stacking patterns and weight limits to ensure safe transport.
  • Prepare and print carrier labels, manifests and bills of lading; verify shipping addresses, service levels (ground/express), and special handling instructions (fragile, hazardous, cold chain).
  • Meet or exceed daily and hourly productivity targets (lines per hour, orders per shift) while maintaining accuracy and quality KPIs.
  • Stage outbound shipments in the designated dock area and coordinate with dock/transport teams to ensure on-time carrier pickups and cross-dock activities.
  • Receive inbound units for returns and rework, inspect and document return reasons, quarantine defective items per policy, and update return-to-stock or disposition workflows.
  • Execute cycle counts, assist with full physical inventories and support inventory reconciliation tasks to maintain accurate stock levels and reduce shrinkage.
  • Pack and prepare e-commerce orders with customized packing slips, promotional inserts, and kitting assemblies as required by omnichannel fulfillment processes.
  • Apply correct packing materials, cushioning, and dunnage for fragile or high-value items and document special handling requirements for oversized or irregular items.
  • Accurately weigh parcels and pallets using scales and record weights in the WMS or shipping system to ensure proper carrier billing and compliance.
  • Follow and document compliance requirements for regulated products (hazardous materials, controlled substances, food safety/HACCP, cold chain) including correct labeling and PPE.
  • Support returns processing and restocking by inspecting returned items, updating inventory systems, and coordinating dispositions with supervisors.
  • Communicate daily with team leads and supervisors regarding order exceptions, stock shortages, mispicked items, and possible delays to enable real-time problem solving.
  • Maintain clean, safe and organized pick and pack work zones; remove debris, dispose of packing materials, and report equipment issues to maintenance.
  • Assist in onboarding and training of new pickers/packers on standard operating procedures, quality expectations, equipment use, and safety protocols.
  • Perform light data entry for shipping logs, packing discrepancies, and quality reports; escalate recurring issues to operations management.
  • Support seasonal surges by adapting to flexible schedules, extra shifts, and temporary process changes while sustaining speed and accuracy.
  • Participate in continuous improvement initiatives—5S, Kaizen, root cause analysis—to optimize picking routes, packing standards, and material usage to reduce cost and waste.
  • Adhere to company safety standards and OSHA rules, wear required personal protective equipment, and participate in safety meetings and incident reporting.
  • Track and report damaged, missing, or wrong shipments; assist in claims documentation and corrective action plans to reduce repeat incidents.
  • Balance multiple order priorities during peak volumes, including rush shipments and split orders, while maintaining SLA commitments.
  • Implement lot and serial number traceability procedures when applicable; update records to support recalls or warranty claims.
  • Assist with manual or automated conveyor operations, pick modules, or sorting systems and troubleshoot simple jams or routing issues under supervision.

Secondary Functions

  • Support cross-functional initiatives with inventory control, quality assurance and shipping teams to troubleshoot systemic issues.
  • Conduct basic packaging material inventory and notify purchasing for replenishment of boxes, tape, cushioning, and labels.
  • Participate in process documentation updates and create clear job aids for new packing configurations or promotional inserts.
  • Collect and submit daily productivity metrics, error rates, and packing material usage to supervisors for continuous improvement tracking.
  • Provide input on ergonomic improvements and workstation layout to reduce strain and improve throughput.
  • Help with basic staging and labeling for returns to vendors and capture disposition photos and notes for reverse logistics workflows.
  • Assist in small maintenance tasks like replacing box cutters, tape dispensers and maintaining tool kits for the packing line.
  • Temporarily rotate to other warehouse areas (receiving, shipping, storage) to cover absences or support demand peaks.
  • Participate in ad-hoc audits and regulatory inspections by preparing requested documentation and organizing work areas.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proficient with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and RF handheld scanners (picking, confirm, receiving flows).
  • Experience with pick-to-light, voice-picking, or barcode-based picking technologies.
  • Knowledgeable in packing techniques, protective packing materials, carton selection, and carrier packaging standards.
  • Competent operating pallet jacks, electric pallet trucks, and (if certified) sit-down and stand-up forklifts.
  • Ability to safely weigh, palletize, label and prepare shipments and read shipping manifests and bills of lading.
  • Basic understanding of inventory control methods: FIFO, FEFO, cycle counting and SKU reconciliation.
  • Familiarity with e-commerce fulfillment practices: single-unit picking, kitting, multi-SKU orders, and returns processing.
  • Experience handling temperature-controlled products (cold storage) or following food safety/HACCP rules where applicable.
  • Basic computer literacy: data entry, scanning, using shipping portals, and reading digital pick lists.
  • Ability to follow hazardous materials (HAZMAT) packing and labeling procedures when required.
  • Basic competence with hand tools and packaging equipment: tape guns, stretch wrap machines, scales and label printers.
  • Knowledge of carrier-specific requirements (UPS, FedEx, USPS, common carriers) for parcel and pallet shipments.

Soft Skills

  • High attention to detail with a strong focus on accuracy and quality control to minimize order errors and returns.
  • Time management and prioritization skills to meet strict shipping deadlines and peak-volume requirements.
  • Strong communication skills for clear escalation of shortages, damaged items, and process exceptions to supervisors.
  • Team player mentality: flexible, cooperative, and able to support peers during high-volume periods.
  • Problem-solving and root-cause awareness to identify process flaws and propose practical corrective actions.
  • Reliability and strong work ethic: punctuality, consistent attendance, and adherence to shift schedules.
  • Adaptability and learning agility to quickly adopt new systems, packing standards, or process changes.
  • Physical stamina and safe work habits for repetitive lifting, standing, bending, and moving items up to specified weight limits.
  • Customer-service orientation: understand that on-time, accurate shipments directly impact customer satisfaction.
  • Detail-oriented documentation skills for logs, discrepancy reports, and quality records.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED, or equivalent practical warehouse experience.

Preferred Education:

  • Vocational certificate in logistics/warehousing, OSHA safety training, or forklift certification.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Supply Chain Management
  • Logistics & Distribution
  • Industrial Technology
  • Business Operations

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 0–3 years for entry-level picker/packer roles; 1–3 years preferred for higher-volume or specialized operations (cold chain, hazardous materials, e-commerce).

Preferred:

  • 1+ years of direct picking/packing experience in a high-volume warehouse, distribution center, or fulfillment environment.
  • Experience with WMS, RF scanning, and familiarity with carrier billing and shipping workflows is strongly preferred.
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