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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Warehouse Intern

💰 $15 - $20 / hour

OperationsLogisticsInternshipWarehouse

🎯 Role Definition

The Warehouse Intern supports warehouse and distribution center operations by performing receiving, order fulfillment, inventory tracking, and shipping tasks under supervision. This entry-level position provides practical experience in warehouse management systems (WMS), barcode/RF scanning, safety procedures, and lean warehouse practices. The intern will contribute to operational metrics such as order accuracy, on-time shipments, inventory accuracy, and overall productivity while learning best practices in logistics and supply chain execution.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • College/university student in logistics, supply chain, business, or engineering seeking practical experience
  • Retail stock associate or store replenishment team member transitioning to distribution operations
  • Shipping/receiving clerk or seasonal fulfillment associate

Advancement To:

  • Warehouse Associate / Material Handler
  • Inventory Control Specialist
  • Shipping & Receiving Coordinator
  • Logistics Coordinator / Distribution Supervisor
  • Supply Chain Analyst (with additional education or experience)

Lateral Moves:

  • Quality Control Assistant
  • E-commerce Fulfillment Specialist
  • Cross-docking or Returns Processing roles

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Receive inbound shipments, verify manifests and packing lists, inspect goods for damage, and accurately record received quantities in the warehouse management system (WMS).
  • Pick and pack customer orders following established packing standards, labeling procedures, and order accuracy targets to support timely outbound shipments.
  • Operate handheld barcode scanners and RF devices to scan, stage, and update inventory transactions in real time to ensure SKU traceability and WMS integrity.
  • Stage and prepare pallets, crates, and cartons for carrier pickup, including palletizing, shrink-wrapping, and labeling shipments per carrier and company requirements.
  • Assist with loading and unloading trucks and carriers using proper manual handling techniques and equipment, and escalate any discrepancies or damaged goods to the supervisor.
  • Perform cycle counts and participate in periodic physical inventories, reconcile variances, investigate root causes, and document adjustments in collaboration with inventory control teams.
  • Maintain accurate pick lists, packing slips, bills of lading, and other shipping documentation, ensuring compliance with internal SOPs and external regulatory requirements.
  • Follow FIFO (first-in-first-out) and other inventory rotation principles to minimize expired, obsolete, or aged stock and support product quality control.
  • Monitor and report inventory discrepancies, missing SKUs, or system errors; support corrective actions such as recounts, recount documentation, and system adjustments.
  • Support cross-docking operations by quickly transferring inbound goods to outbound staging areas when applicable to expedite fulfillment and reduce handling cycles.
  • Use pallet jacks, dollies, and (if certified) powered industrial trucks safely and in accordance with OSHA and company safety standards to move materials.
  • Prepare and process returns (RMA) and damaged goods workflows, document root causes, and coordinate with returns processing or quality teams for disposition.
  • Assist in labeling, kitting, and value-added services such as bundling or light assembly to meet special order requirements and improve fulfillment efficiency.
  • Adhere to company safety programs, participate in daily safety huddles, and ensure work areas remain clean, organized, and free of hazards to support 5S and lean initiatives.
  • Track and help improve key performance indicators (KPIs) including pick accuracy, on-time shipping, cycle count accuracy, and productivity targets assigned by supervisors.
  • Communicate with carriers, logistics coordinators, and internal teams to confirm pickup schedules, resolve delivery exceptions, and ensure on-time distribution.
  • Support documentation and data entry tasks such as updating Excel spreadsheets, WMS notes, and shipment logs to maintain transparent records for auditing.
  • Assist in onboarding and training of seasonal staff or new interns by demonstrating standard operating procedures, safe equipment operation, and site-specific workflows.
  • Participate in continuous improvement projects by providing feedback on process bottlenecks, suggesting improvements, and piloting new methods to increase throughput or accuracy.
  • Execute quality inspection checkpoints for outgoing orders including correct SKU, quantity, packaging integrity, and correct documentation to reduce returns and customer complaints.
  • Coordinate with purchasing and procurement teams to stage and hold inventory for special orders or vendor-managed inventory programs as directed.
  • Support ad-hoc operational tasks such as replenishment of pick faces, slotting changes, labeling rework, and special fulfillment projects during seasonal peaks or promotions.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist in basic data collection and entry for warehouse metrics, preparing weekly summaries for supervisors and participating in continuous improvement reviews.
  • Shadow inventory auditors during physical inventory counts to learn reconciliation procedures and discrepancy investigation techniques.
  • Support the implementation of WMS upgrades or mobile scanning rollouts by testing workflows and documenting issues.
  • Help maintain tool cribs, consumables inventory, and restocking of packing materials to ensure uninterrupted fulfillment operations.
  • Participate in cross-functional meetings with procurement, quality, and customer service to understand the end-to-end supply chain impact of warehouse processes.
  • Assist in basic troubleshooting of warehouse equipment and coordinate with maintenance for repairs or replacements as needed.
  • Contribute to small process improvement pilots such as optimizing pick routes, labeling schemes, or packing stations to improve cycle time.
  • Provide backup support for light administrative tasks such as filing shipping paperwork, scanning invoices, and maintaining binder-based SOPs.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Experience or familiarity with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) such as Manhattan, SAP EWM, Oracle, NetSuite, or similar platforms.
  • Proficient with handheld RF/barcode scanners and knowledge of barcode labeling standards (GS1/UPC/EAN).
  • Basic proficiency in Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUP, filtering, sorting, simple formulas) for data entry and inventory reconciliation.
  • Safe operation of manual material handling equipment; forklift or powered industrial truck certification a plus.
  • Understanding of shipping documentation: bills of lading, packing lists, commercial invoices, and carrier labels.
  • Knowledge of inventory control techniques including cycle counting, FIFO/LIFO rotation, and stock reconciliation.
  • Ability to read and interpret packing lists, purchase orders, SKU tags, and safety data sheets (SDS) when applicable.
  • Basic arithmetic skills for counting, unit conversions, and verifying quantities.
  • Familiarity with standard warehouse safety practices and OSHA/compliance basics.
  • Experience with order picking methods (zone, batch, wave) and general fulfillment best practices.
  • Basic troubleshooting skills for common warehouse devices (printers, scanners) and ability to document issues.

Soft Skills

  • Strong attention to detail and commitment to achieving high order accuracy and inventory integrity.
  • Excellent teamwork and collaboration skills; able to work effectively in fast-paced, cross-functional warehouse environments.
  • Good verbal and written communication skills for interacting with supervisors, carriers, and internal stakeholders.
  • Time management and ability to prioritize tasks to meet shipping deadlines and daily objectives.
  • Physical stamina, reliability, and ability to stand, lift, and move items for extended periods in line with job requirements.
  • Problem-solving mindset and willingness to learn processes and take initiative to improve workflows.
  • Adaptability to dynamic workloads and seasonal fluctuations in volume.
  • Dependability, punctuality, and strong work ethic in a shift-based environment.
  • Customer-oriented mindset to support accurate and timely fulfillment that impacts downstream customer satisfaction.
  • Openness to feedback and a continuous improvement attitude to support career growth.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED required.

Preferred Education:

  • Currently enrolled in or recent graduate of an Associate’s or Bachelor's program in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business, Industrial Engineering, or related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Supply Chain Management
  • Logistics & Transportation
  • Business Administration
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Operations Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 0 to 1 year of paid warehouse or fulfillment experience; internships, campus jobs, retail stocking, or volunteer logistics experience are acceptable.

Preferred:

  • Prior experience using a WMS, handheld scanners, or working in a distribution center environment; any forklift or powered industrial truck certification is a plus.
  • Experience meeting productivity and accuracy KPIs in a fulfillment setting or retail backroom.
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