Torchora
Back to Home

Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Warehouse Packer

💰 $13 - $22 / hour

WarehouseLogisticsFulfillmentEntry-Level

🎯 Role Definition

A Warehouse Packer (also known as Packing Associate or Shipping Packer) is responsible for preparing customer and wholesale orders for shipment by selecting, packaging, labeling, and staging pallets and individual parcels to meet quality, safety, and carrier requirements. The role emphasizes accuracy in order fulfillment, efficient use of packing materials, compliance with shipping standards (UPS, FedEx, USPS, LTL), and maintaining warehouse safety and productivity metrics. This position frequently uses RF scanners, tape guns, packing lists, and may involve occasional forklift or pallet jack operation.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Retail Associate transitioning to logistics/fulfillment
  • Seasonal e-commerce order fulfillment associate
  • Production assembler or manufacturing line worker

Advancement To:

  • Lead Packer / Shift Lead
  • Shipping & Receiving Coordinator
  • Inventory Control Specialist
  • Warehouse Supervisor / Operations Supervisor
  • Logistics Coordinator or Fulfillment Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Forklift Operator / Reach Truck Operator
  • Material Handler or Order Picker
  • Quality Inspector / QA Associate
  • Returns Processing Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Accurately pick, pack and prepare customer and B2B orders following packing specifications, bill of lading, and carrier packaging standards to minimize damage during transit.
  • Inspect products for quality and completeness prior to packing; remove defective items, document discrepancies, and route items to the appropriate area (returns, rework, QA).
  • Weigh, measure and label packages; apply correct postage and shipping labels, verifying that dimensional weight and declared value are entered correctly into the WMS or shipping system.
  • Use RF barcode scanners, pick-to-light systems, or paper pick lists to confirm SKU, quantity and lot numbers during order selection and packing.
  • Pack fragile and high-value items using appropriate dunnage (foam, bubble wrap, corrugated inserts), ensuring compliance with company and carrier packaging standards to protect goods in transit.
  • Assemble boxes, crates and custom packaging; secure pallets using stretch wrap, strapping, and pallets caps to ensure safe transport and stacking.
  • Stage completed orders at designated outbound locations, organize trailers and coordinate with shipping supervisors to meet carrier cut-off times and dispatch schedules.
  • Maintain accurate packing documentation and shipping manifests, including packing lists, commercial invoices for international shipments, and hazardous materials paperwork when applicable.
  • Operate hand trucks, pallet jacks, and other material handling equipment safely to move product from pick face to packing stations and staging areas.
  • Communicate with inventory control and shipping teams regarding backorders, substitutions, overships, short ships and order holds to expedite resolution and customer satisfaction.
  • Meet daily and shift packing productivity targets without sacrificing quality, tracking metrics such as orders per hour, units per hour, and on-time shipment rate.
  • Follow strict safety procedures and OSHA guidelines; wear required PPE, report safety hazards, and participate in regular safety meetings and training.
  • Repack returned goods and process customer returns (RMA) according to company policy, recording reason codes and routing items for restock, refurb, or disposal.
  • Package and prepare hazardous materials (HAZMAT) shipments only if trained and certified; ensure compliance with IATA, DOT, and hazmat handling protocols.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams (receiving, inventory control, customer service) to ensure order accuracy and timely resolution of packing-related issues.
  • Clean and maintain packing stations, tools and consumables such as tape, labels, and padding to ensure uninterrupted operations and professional presentation.
  • Perform cycle counts and support periodic physical inventory audits by locating SKUs, verifying quantities and reporting variances to inventory control.
  • Identify and suggest process improvements to reduce material waste, speed packing flow, and lower shipping damage rates through continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Train new packers and temps on packing standards, use of equipment, safety procedures, and company software/systems to ensure consistent performance.
  • Verify lot numbers, expiration dates and serialization requirements for regulated or serialized products before packing, ensuring traceability and compliance.
  • Prepare and process expedited and special handling shipments, including next-day air, Saturday delivery, and B2B LTL shipments with correct paperwork and labeling.
  • Communicate proactively with the supervisor about shortage of packing materials, machine maintenance needs, or production bottlenecks that impact on-time performance.
  • Accurately record time and attendance, complete shift checklists and handover notes to incoming shifts to maintain continuity and accountability.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist with returns processing, restocking, and disposition of damaged or surplus materials.
  • Support ad-hoc inventory reconciliation and investigative counts when discrepancies are detected.
  • Maintain a par-level inventory of packing supplies; place orders or notify supervisor when supplies fall below threshold.
  • Cross-train on adjacent roles including receiving, order picking, and shipping to provide coverage during peak periods.
  • Participate in Kaizen/continuous improvement events to standardize packing processes and reduce waste.
  • Help onboard seasonal staff and participate in on-the-floor coaching to raise overall team productivity.
  • Report and document incidents and near-misses; contribute to corrective action plans to improve workplace safety.
  • Assist warehouse management with preparing KPI reports related to packing accuracy, throughput, and damage claims.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proficient use of RF barcode scanners and warehouse management systems (WMS) such as NetSuite WMS, Fishbowl, Manhattan, or SAP EWM.
  • Experience preparing packages to carrier specifications (UPS, FedEx, USPS, DHL, LTL carriers) and understanding of dimensional weight and shipping rates.
  • Ability to operate hand pallet jacks, electric pallet jacks, and basic material handling equipment safely.
  • Certified forklift operation (counterbalance or reach) — preferred or willing to obtain certification.
  • Skilled in proper box construction, sealing techniques, strapping, stretch-wrapping and palletizing to ensure load stability.
  • Knowledge of packing materials selection (corrugate grades, void fill, cushioning) and right-sizing techniques to reduce costs and damage.
  • Competence in reading and following packing lists, BOLs, invoices, and basic shipping documentation.
  • Basic numeracy and measuring skills for weighing, measuring and calculating dimensional weight and load distribution.
  • Familiarity with barcode labeling systems, printing, and applying shipping labels accurately, including thermal label printers.
  • Experience with returns processing (RMA), inspection, and restock procedures.
  • Understanding of hazardous materials packaging rules (DOT/IATA) — for positions requiring HAZMAT handling.
  • Basic computer literacy (email, spreadsheets) and ability to enter/verify data in WMS or ERP shipment modules.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to pack accuracy to minimize customer returns and shipping claims.
  • Strong time management and ability to meet strict shipping cut-off times and productivity metrics.
  • Team-oriented mindset with the ability to collaborate across receiving, inventory control, and shipping teams.
  • Clear verbal communication to escalate issues and coordinate with supervisors and carriers.
  • Reliability, punctuality and strong work ethic; able to sustain physical activity during long shifts.
  • Adaptability to changing priorities in a fast-paced e-commerce or distribution environment.
  • Problem-solving orientation to handle damaged goods, order discrepancies and packing exceptions.
  • Positive attitude and willingness to learn new systems, tools and processes.
  • Ability to follow established SOPs and accept feedback during performance coaching.
  • Customer-focused mindset; understands that accurate packing directly impacts customer satisfaction.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED (or equivalent). Solid reading and basic math skills required.

Preferred Education:

  • Vocational certificate in Logistics, Supply Chain, or Manufacturing; forklift certification or OSHA safety training preferred.
  • Any certificate in warehouse operations, shipping & receiving, or inventory control is a plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

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

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • Entry-level: 0–1 year in warehousing, retail stockroom, or manufacturing packaging roles.
  • Experienced: 1–3+ years in order packing, shipping, or fulfillment environments.

Preferred:

  • 1–2 years of direct packing/shipping experience in an e-commerce, retail distribution center, or 3PL environment.
  • Experience with WMS systems, RF scanning and meeting productivity & quality KPIs.
Explore More Careers