Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Warehouse General Laborer

🎯 Role Definition

The Warehouse General Laborer is a hands-on operations role responsible for safely and efficiently performing a broad range of material handling, shipping/receiving, inventory and fulfillment tasks in a fast-paced distribution or manufacturing environment. This position supports day-to-day warehouse throughput, upholds quality and safety standards, and collaborates with supervisors and cross-functional teams to meet productivity and on-time delivery goals. Ideal candidates demonstrate a safety-first mindset, reliable attendance, physical stamina, and familiarity with standard warehouse equipment and procedures.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Retail stock associate transitioning to a distribution environment
Manufacturing line worker seeking logistics experience
Seasonal or temporary warehouse associate who performed well

Advancement To:

Lead Warehouse Associate / Team Lead
Inventory Control Specialist
Shipping & Receiving Supervisor
Forklift Operator / Certified Lift Truck Driver
Logistics Coordinator

Lateral Moves:

Shipping Clerk
Quality Control Inspector
Materials Handler
Cross-dock Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Receive incoming shipments, verify quantities and condition of goods against purchase orders and packing slips, and promptly report any discrepancies or damages to the supervisor while documenting findings in the warehouse management system.
Unload and load trailers, containers and pallets using proper material handling techniques and equipment (pallet jack, hand truck, dock leveler), ensuring product integrity and safe placement.
Operate power equipment such as sit-down and stand-up forklifts, pallet jacks, and order pickers in accordance with certification and OSHA guidelines, performing pre-shift inspections and daily maintenance checks.
Accurately pick customer orders from assigned locations following pick lists, RF scanner prompts, or paper manifests, verifying item codes, quantities, and pack specifications to minimize errors.
Pack and label orders for shipment including selecting appropriate packaging materials, assembling boxes or crates, securing items to prevent damage, and applying carrier labels and documentation.
Stage and organize outbound shipments at the dock according to carrier schedules, loading plans and shipping priorities, and assist carriers during vehicle loading to ensure secure transport.
Cycle count, reconcile and update inventory records on a scheduled basis and at ad-hoc times, investigating variances and supporting inventory audits to maintain accurate stock levels.
Postput away received goods into assigned bin locations using WMS-directed tasks, ensuring locations are clean, correctly labeled and optimized for picking efficiency.
Maintain accurate documentation for all warehouse transactions, including receipts, transfers, adjustments, damage reports and shipping manifests, entering data into inventory or ERP systems as required.
Inspect product for quality, labeling accuracy and expiration dates (when applicable), segregating nonconforming material and initiating return-to-vendor or quarantine procedures per company policy.
Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) and safety rules at all times, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), proper lifting techniques and adherence to hazardous materials handling guidelines.
Assist in loading and unloading raw materials and finished goods for production lines, communicating shortages or overages to production planners and supervisors to prevent downtime.
Execute break-down of cardboard, wood pallets and other waste materials, ensuring recycling and disposal procedures are followed to maintain a clean and safe work environment.
Support cross-docking operations by quickly moving products from incoming trucks directly to outbound staging areas while validating documentation and destination routing.
Perform basic machine and conveyor troubleshooting in coordination with maintenance, reporting malfunctions promptly and documenting incidents to minimize operational impact.
Collaborate with shipping/receiving clerks and carriers to verify pickup and delivery schedules, generate carrier documentation (BOLs) and ensure timely dispatch of orders.
Prioritize daily tasks based on supervisor direction, production schedules and shipment deadlines while maintaining flexibility to respond to urgent shipping changes or rush orders.
Participate in continuous improvement initiatives by suggesting workflow, storage or packaging improvements aimed at increasing throughput, reducing waste and improving ergonomics.
Assist with returns processing and reverse logistics activities—receiving returned items, inspecting condition, restocking or processing for return-to-vendor as required.
Train and mentor new or seasonal warehouse associates on fundamental tasks such as safe material handling, order picking accuracy and correct use of equipment, promoting consistent performance across shifts.
Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as picks per hour, on-time shipments and inventory accuracy, and support corrective actions to meet departmental targets.
Support emergency procedures and participate in safety drills, first aid response or spill containment activities when necessary, acting quickly and calmly to protect team members and inventory.
Coordinate with quality and compliance teams for periodic audits, providing required documentation, assisting with inventory counts and implementing corrective measures for non-compliance findings.
Maintain a professional, customer-focused attitude when interacting with internal stakeholders, drivers and external vendors, ensuring communication is clear and documentation is complete.

Secondary Functions

Cross-train across adjacent warehouse functions (e.g., packing, labeling, staging) to provide flexible coverage during peak periods and reduce workflow bottlenecks.
Support special projects such as seasonal inventory resets, warehouse reorganizations, SKU rationalizations and new product introductions by providing labor and operational insights.
Assist supervisors with daily floor inspections, suggesting small capital or process changes to improve safety and efficiency.
Serve as a backup for shipping or receiving clerks by preparing paperwork, scanning shipments, and coordinating carrier pickups during high-volume periods.
Help capture performance data for continuous improvement initiatives and collaborate with operations leads to implement pilot process changes.
Volunteer for weekend or overnight shifts during peak seasons to support customer service and distribution continuity.
Maintain and update simple maintenance logs for equipment used regularly and notify the maintenance team of recurring equipment issues.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Forklift operation and certification (sit-down, stand-up, or reach trucks) with demonstrated safe driving and pre-shift inspection practices.
Proficient use of RF barcode scanners, handheld mobile devices and basic knowledge of Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) such as SAP, Oracle WMS, Manhattan, or HighJump.
Hands-on experience with shipping and receiving processes, including Bill of Lading (BOL) handling, carrier coordination and dock management.
Strong material handling techniques including pallet jack operation, staging, shrink-wrapping, labeling and safe load securing for transport.
Inventory control skills: cycle counting, inventory reconciliation, discrepancy investigation and performing adjustments within the WMS.
Basic familiarity with packaging standards and protective materials, including cartonization, void fill and weight distribution for domestic and international shipments.
Ability to read and interpret pick tickets, packing lists, product codes, and SKU labels accurately under time constraints.
Basic mechanical aptitude for performing light equipment maintenance, minor troubleshooting and reporting maintenance needs.
Knowledge of standard safety regulations, OSHA requirements and hazardous materials (HAZMAT) handling basics when applicable.
Fundamental computer skills for data entry, email communication and accessing web-based scheduling or training platforms.

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail and accuracy to minimize order errors and ensure customer satisfaction.
Dependable and punctual with a strong work ethic and consistent attendance record.
Clear verbal and written communication skills to coordinate with supervisors, team members and carriers.
Team-oriented mindset with the ability to collaborate across shifts and functions to meet shared goals.
Time management and prioritization skills to handle multiple tasks under tight shipping windows.
Problem-solving mindset to identify root causes of packing or inventory issues and propose practical solutions.
Adaptability and resilience to work in a physically demanding, fast-paced environment with variable daily volume.
Safety-first attitude with the ability to follow SOPs and coach peers on safe practices when necessary.
Initiative to seek additional responsibilities and support continuous improvement efforts.
Customer-service orientation when interacting with internal stakeholders and external carriers.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:
High school diploma or GED (preferred but not always required; equivalent experience accepted).

Preferred Education:
Vocational training or certification in logistics, material handling, forklift operation, or supply chain fundamentals.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Industrial Technology / Applied Trades
Business Administration (operations or logistics focus)
Occupational Safety / Environmental Health

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:
Entry-level to 3 years of warehouse, distribution or manufacturing experience. Many companies hire candidates with 0–1 year for basic laborer roles and provide on-the-job training.

Preferred:
1–3 years of hands-on experience in shipping/receiving, order fulfillment, material handling, or inventory control; forklift certification and proficiency with RF scanners and WMS are preferred and may be required for higher pay bands.