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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Overnight Packer

💰 $ - $

LogisticsWarehouseFulfillmentNight ShiftPackaging

🎯 Role Definition

The Overnight Packer is responsible for accurately and efficiently preparing customer orders and shipments during night shift operations. This role ensures that products are packed to specification, labeled correctly, and staged for timely shipment while maintaining safety, quality, and operational productivity targets in fast-paced warehouse and fulfillment environments. Ideal for candidates with strong attention to detail, physical stamina, and experience using hand-held scanners, packing machines, and inventory systems.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Warehouse Associate / Material Handler
  • Retail Stockroom Associate
  • Seasonal Fulfillment Worker

Advancement To:

  • Lead Packer / Packing Team Lead
  • Shipping & Receiving Specialist
  • Night Shift Supervisor / Operations Supervisor

Lateral Moves:

  • Inventory Control Clerk
  • Quality Assurance Inspector

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Accurately pick, consolidate, and pack customer orders during overnight shifts using pick lists, RF scanners, or WMS, ensuring order accuracy meets company SLA and customer expectations.
  • Inspect products for damage or defects and remove any non-conforming items from the packing flow; document and escalate quality issues to the shift supervisor.
  • Apply packing instructions and product-specific protective techniques (bubble wrap, corrugated inserts, cold-chain insulation, tamper-evident seals) to prevent transit damage and preserve product integrity.
  • Prepare outbound shipments by assembling boxes, cushioning, and void-fill to meet dimensional weight and carrier guidelines while optimizing packaging costs.
  • Operate packing machinery and equipment (stretch wrappers, case sealers, label printers) safely and perform basic troubleshooting to maintain continuous packing throughput.
  • Verify shipping labels, packing slips, and barcodes for legibility and accuracy; ensure packages are correctly labeled for destination, shipping method, and any special handling instructions.
  • Scan and record serial numbers, lot numbers, and expiration dates when required for traceability and regulatory compliance (pharmaceuticals, food, or regulated goods).
  • Meet or exceed nightly productivity targets and accuracy KPIs while maintaining safe work practices and minimizing rework due to packing errors.
  • Stage completed pallets and packages to designated outbound docks or staging areas according to loading plans, ensuring order consolidation for each carrier or route.
  • Cycle-count packed inventory and reconcile physical counts with the warehouse management system; report and investigate any inventory discrepancies.
  • Follow packing checklists and quality control procedures to ensure consistency across shifts and adherence to company packing standards.
  • Collaborate with night-shift teammates in receiving, replenishment, and picking to maintain continuous material flow and avoid packing delays.
  • Coordinate with the shipping team to prioritize expedited or time-sensitive orders and adjust packing sequences accordingly to meet cut-off times.
  • Maintain accurate records of damaged materials, packaging waste, and reusable packaging inventory; recommend opportunities to reduce packaging waste and improve sustainability.
  • Clean, organize, and maintain the packing work area, including restocking packing supplies (tape, labels, cartons) and notifying supervisors when reorders are required.
  • Participate in daily shift briefings and handoffs; communicate any issues, backlogs, or process improvements clearly to the day shift or operations manager.
  • Comply with OSHA and company safety standards, including correct material handling techniques, use of PPE, and safe operation of mechanized equipment.
  • Execute special packing projects such as kitting, returns processing, promotional pack-outs, or bulk order consolidation as directed by operations leads.
  • Document non-conforming shipments and participate in root-cause investigations to reduce recurring packing errors and customer claims.
  • Train new or temporary night-pack staff in packing standards, equipment operation, and safety procedures; maintain consistent coaching and feedback to improve team performance.
  • Support cycle time and throughput improvement initiatives by providing feedback on packing station ergonomics, tooling needs, and layout changes.
  • Assist with cross-docking activities when required, ensuring goods flow quickly from receiving to outbound without unnecessary storage.
  • Follow temperature-controlled handling procedures for perishable or frozen items, including monitoring and logging temperature ranges and using insulated packaging.
  • Participate in emergency procedures and assist in implementing corrective actions during audits, customer visits, or process reviews.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist inventory control and receiving teams during peak periods by verifying inbound quantities and performing over/short investigations for items destined for overnight packing.
  • Support ad-hoc packaging design reviews to recommend packaging that reduces damage rates and lowers dimensional weight charges for carriers.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives by suggesting process changes, equipment upgrades, or pack station reconfiguration to increase throughput and accuracy.
  • Help maintain accurate bin and tote locations by updating WMS records for returned or re-packed items.
  • Provide shift-level reporting such as pack counts, damage incidents, and supply usage to operations supervisors to support nightly KPI tracking.
  • Participate in cross-training programs to increase operational flexibility across packing, picking, and shipping functions.
  • Assist in minor maintenance tasks for packing equipment and report service needs to maintenance or facilities teams for prompt resolution.
  • Support onboarding documentation and job aids by providing practical input on packing step-by-step procedures and safety checklists.
  • Participate in scheduled cycle counts and inventory audits, helping to reconcile variances and update stock records.
  • Help enforce company policies on waste disposal, recycling of packing materials, and sustainability initiatives at the packing station.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proficient use of RF scanners and warehouse management systems (WMS) such as SAP EWM, Manhattan, Oracle WMS, or 3PL provider platforms for order pick/pack/scan workflows.
  • Experienced in safe operation of packing machinery and equipment: case sealers, stretch wrap machines, label printers, and carton erectors.
  • Knowledge of packaging materials and methods for product protection, including corrugate strength, cushioning materials, void fill, and palletization best practices.
  • Skilled at reading and following packing instructions, pick lists, and packing spec sheets; able to apply specific packing templates for different SKUs.
  • Familiar with carrier requirements and label formats (UPS, FedEx, USPS, LTL carriers), including dimensional weight calculations and hazardous materials marking if applicable.
  • Ability to perform accurate barcode scanning, serial number and lot tracking, and documentation for traceability and regulatory compliance.
  • Capable of performing basic quality control checks, identifying damaged or non-conforming items, and documenting discrepancies in the WMS.
  • Basic mechanical aptitude for routine packing equipment adjustments, troubleshooting, and performing minor preventative maintenance.
  • Knowledge of cold-chain or temperature-sensitive packing practices when working with perishable or frozen product lines.
  • Competent in basic data entry and shift reporting using spreadsheets or warehouse reporting tools to capture pack counts and exceptions.

Soft Skills

  • Strong attention to detail and commitment to packing accuracy to reduce customer returns and claims.
  • Excellent time management and ability to prioritize high-volume tasks in a fast-paced night shift environment.
  • Dependable and punctual with a proven track record of reliable attendance on overnight schedules.
  • Good verbal communication skills to coordinate with teammates, supervisors, and cross-functional teams during shift handoffs.
  • Team-oriented mindset with ability to assist others and contribute to a collaborative night-shift culture.
  • Adaptability and flexibility to handle changing priorities, rush orders, or special packing requests.
  • Physical stamina and endurance to stand, lift, bend, and carry throughout a full overnight shift (lifting frequently up to company-specified limits).
  • Problem-solving skills to identify packing inefficiencies and suggest practical improvements.
  • Ability to follow safety protocols and model safe behaviors to peers.
  • Customer-focused mindset, understanding how packing accuracy and presentation impact customer satisfaction.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED preferred but not required; equivalent work experience in fulfillment or warehouse preferred.

Preferred Education:

  • High school diploma or vocational certificate; coursework in logistics, supply chain, or industrial production is a plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Supply Chain Management
  • Logistics and Distribution
  • Industrial Technology
  • Packaging Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0–3 years of warehouse, packing, or fulfillment experience for entry-level; 1–5 years preferred for operators expected to handle specialized packing tasks.

Preferred:

  • 6–24 months of overnight or swing-shift packing experience in e-commerce, retail distribution, cold storage, or third-party logistics.
  • Experience with RF scanning/WMS and basic packing machinery; prior success meeting nightly KPIs, accuracy targets, and productivity standards.
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