Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Walkie Rider

🎯 Role Definition

The Walkie Rider is an essential warehouse operator responsible for efficient, safe movement and storage of materials using electric walkie stackers and related equipment. This role focuses on accurate order picking, pallet handling, inventory cycle counts, loading/unloading, and following warehouse safety and quality procedures. The ideal candidate demonstrates strong machine-operating skill, attention to detail, and a safety-first mindset while supporting fast-paced distribution and fulfillment operations.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Warehouse Associate / General Laborer
Picker / Packer
Shipping & Receiving Clerk

Advancement To:

Lead Walkie Rider / Lead Material Handler
Forklift Operator / Reach Truck Operator
Shipping Supervisor / Warehouse Supervisor
Inventory Control Specialist

Lateral Moves:

Forklift / Stand-up Operator
Dock Worker / Yard Driver
Quality Control Clerk

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Operate electric walkie stacker, walkie rider, and other pallet-handling equipment safely and efficiently to pick, move, stack, and stage pallets and cases according to pick lists and work orders.
Perform accurate order picking and pallet building for outbound shipments using RF scanners or mobile devices, verifying SKUs, quantities, and lot numbers against electronic pick sheets.
Load and unload trucks, trailers, and containers using walkie stackers and assist with manual dollies or pallet jacks as needed while following load securement and weight distribution guidelines.
Stage and organize inbound product into designated warehouse locations, ensuring proper labeling, orientation, and FIFO/LIFO rotation as dictated by inventory control procedures.
Conduct inventory cycle counts and physical inventory reconciliation using warehouse management systems (WMS) and report discrepancies promptly to inventory control or supervision.
Execute palletizing and depalletizing operations, wrapping and banding pallets, and ensuring finished pallets meet carrier and safety standards.
Operate RF scanning devices, handheld terminals, tablets, or WMS interfaces to complete transactions in real time and maintain inventory accuracy.
Adhere to all safety protocols, wearing required PPE, performing pre-shift equipment checks, and following lockout/tagout procedures where applicable.
Perform routine battery charging, changeouts, and basic daily maintenance inspections on walkie stackers, reporting equipment faults or safety concerns immediately.
Communicate clearly with supervisors, dock personnel, and other warehouse staff to prioritize loads and sequence pick/ship tasks for on-time fulfillment.
Follow company shipping and receiving procedures, including verifying paperwork, signing manifests, and completing bill of lading or delivery documentation as required.
Maintain clean, organized work areas and aisles to support safe forklift and pedestrian traffic and to meet OSHA and facility housekeeping standards.
Assist in staging and preparing orders for third-party carriers and last-mile delivery partners, noting special handling instructions or fragile items.
Support cross-docking operations by quickly transferring goods from inbound to outbound staging areas to reduce handling time and improve throughput.
Identify and escalate damaged goods, product quality issues, or incorrect shipments according to quality control and claims procedures.
Execute returns processing (RMA) and put-away of returned goods back into inventory following inspection and quarantine protocols.
Use basic math and measurement skills to verify weights, dimensions, and counts; ensure compliance with pallet weight limits and storage constraints.
Participate in continuous improvement initiatives by suggesting process changes to increase productivity, reduce waste, and improve safety.
Comply with DOT, OSHA, and company-specific safety and hazardous materials handling requirements when applicable.
Support seasonal and peak workload surges by flexing shifts and assisting with expedited picking or shipping requirements.
Mentor and train new Walkie Riders and material handlers on safe operation, picking accuracy, and WMS transaction procedures when assigned.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis.
Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap.
Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into engineering requirements.
Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data engineering team.
Assist with special projects such as layout changes, inventory system upgrades, or pilot programs for new material handling equipment.
Provide feedback to maintenance and procurement teams on equipment reliability and recommended replacements/upgrades.
Help coordinate with procurement and vendor teams to track inbound shipments and reconcile short shipments or overages.
Participate in safety meetings, toolbox talks, and training refreshers to maintain certification and awareness.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Certified operation of walkie stacker / electric walkie rider and experience with pallet jacks, hand trucks, and basic warehouse equipment.
Proficient in RF barcode scanning and mobile data terminal (MDT) usage for real-time WMS transactions.
Experience with Warehouse Management Systems (e.g., SAP WM, Manhattan, HighJump, Blue Yonder, Oracle WMS) or similar inventory systems.
Strong understanding of inventory control practices: cycle counts, put-away, picking accuracy, FIFO/LIFO rotation.
Knowledge of shipping and receiving procedures including bill of lading, manifests, carrier documentation, and staging procedures.
Basic mechanical aptitude for equipment inspections, battery handling, and routine maintenance tasks.
Ability to read SKU labels, packing lists, and simple schematics or pick maps.
Familiarity with OSHA safety standards, lockout/tagout basics, and proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Capacity to handle physically demanding tasks: lifting, bending, pushing, and standing for extended periods.
Basic computer skills for logging time, completing e-learning safety modules, and accessing work orders.
Experience with pallet wrapping, strapping, and load securement best practices.
Familiarity with hazardous materials handling procedures where applicable (basic HAZMAT awareness).

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail to maintain picking accuracy and inventory integrity.
Clear verbal communication and active listening for coordinating with supervisors and dock teams.
Team-oriented attitude and willingness to support cross-functional warehouse tasks.
Reliable punctuality and ability to work scheduled shifts, including nights/OT as required.
Good time management and ability to prioritize high-volume pick/ship tasks under pressure.
Problem-solving mindset to identify root causes of discrepancies and suggest corrective actions.
Adaptability to changes in processes, technology, and seasonal workload demands.
Safety-first mindset with the ability to stop work and escalate hazards.
Positive attitude and coachability for continuous learning and certification maintenance.
Physical stamina and endurance for repetitive tasks and long shifts in warehouse environments.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent (GED) preferred.

Preferred Education:

Technical certificate in logistics, warehousing, or equipment operation.
Forklift / Lift Truck Operator certification.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Logistics and Supply Chain
Industrial Technology / Maintenance
Operations Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

0–3 years in warehouse or distribution roles; recent graduates with equipment training may qualify.

Preferred:

1–2+ years of hands-on experience operating walkie stackers, pallet jacks, or forklifts in a high-volume warehouse.
Prior experience using RF scanners and a WMS, and demonstrated record of safe operation and on-time fulfillment.