Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Warehouse Support Assistant

🎯 Role Definition

The Warehouse Support Assistant is an operational team member responsible for executing and supporting core warehouse functions including receiving, picking, packing, shipping, restocking, and inventory reconciliation. This role ensures accurate and timely movement of goods, maintains clean and safe work areas, and supports supervisors with documentation, reporting, and process improvement initiatives. The Warehouse Support Assistant frequently uses warehouse management systems (WMS), RF scanners, basic Excel, and follows established safety and quality procedures to meet productivity and accuracy targets.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Shipping & Receiving Clerk
Retail Stock Associate
General Laborer or Production Associate

Advancement To:

Senior Warehouse Associate / Lead
Inventory Control Specialist
Warehouse Supervisor
Logistics Coordinator

Lateral Moves:

Forklift Operator / Lift Truck Driver
Quality Control / Inspection Technician
Returns & Reverse Logistics Associate

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Receive incoming shipments and verify quantities and product condition against purchase orders and packing lists, documenting discrepancies and initiating claims when required.
Accurately inspect, unpack, label, and store inbound products into designated storage locations while updating the warehouse management system (WMS) or ERP to maintain inventory integrity.
Pick customer and internal orders using paper pick lists, RF scanners, or WMS-directed pick paths, ensuring accuracy of SKU, quantity and lot/serial numbers prior to packing.
Prepare and package orders for shipment, apply correct packing materials and labels, verify carrier labels, and ensure all paperwork (manifests, bills of lading) is completed accurately.
Stage and load outbound shipments onto trucks according to carrier and route instructions, securing pallets and ensuring load sequence and weight distribution compliance.
Conduct regular cycle counts and physical inventory audits, reconcile count variances, investigate root causes of discrepancies, and implement corrective actions in coordination with inventory control leads.
Operate warehouse equipment safely and efficiently (pallet jacks, hand trucks, electric pallet stackers) and, if certified, operate forklifts and reach trucks while following safety and maintenance protocols.
Maintain daily logs and records for inbound and outbound transactions, returns, damages, and waste, and escalate issues to the supervisor when necessary.
Process returns and repairs: inspect returned items, update return authorizations, restock saleable goods, quarantine defective products, and coordinate with quality or vendor teams for disposition.
Execute picking and packing workflows that meet productivity and accuracy KPIs, and adapt to prioritized or rush orders while minimizing errors and rework.
Label products with barcode, lot, expiry and shipping labels correctly, and ensure barcode readability for accurate scanning downstream.
Follow product traceability procedures by documenting lot numbers, serial numbers, and expiration dates to support recall readiness and regulatory compliance.
Perform quality checks on received and outgoing goods to ensure correct specifications, packaging integrity and that items meet company and customer quality standards.
Maintain a clean, organized and safe warehouse environment by performing regular housekeeping, removing debris, and organizing storage to maximize space utilization and safety.
Assist with staging materials for production lines or cross-docking operations, ensuring components are available and delivered to the correct workstations or dock doors on schedule.
Coordinate with carriers, freight forwarders and internal shipping teams to schedule pickups, resolve shipping exceptions, and track delayed or missing shipments to completion.
Support cross-functional teams (procurement, sales, customer service) by providing timely inventory status, shipment confirmations, and location details to resolve customer inquiries.
Monitor and report near-miss incidents, safety hazards, damaged goods and non-conformance events, and participate in corrective and preventive actions to improve safety and quality outcomes.
Execute disposal, recycling and hazardous materials handling procedures according to company policy and environmental, health and safety (EHS) regulations.
Train and mentor new warehouse associates on standard operating procedures, picking strategies, equipment operation, and safety best practices.
Support continuous improvement initiatives by suggesting workflow, layout or process changes, participating in Kaizen events and helping implement pilot process improvements.
Ensure compliance with company SOPs, ISO standards (if applicable), customs documentation and legal/regulatory requirements for specific product categories.
Prepare daily and weekly operational reports on productivity, accuracy, inventory variances and operational issues for supervisors and operations managers.
Assist with light data entry and basic reconciliation tasks in Excel or WMS, including inventory adjustments, location transfers and tracking of special orders.

Secondary Functions

Assist warehouse management with ad-hoc reporting requests, compiling shipment logs, inventory summaries and exception reports for weekly operations reviews.
Participate in cross-functional project teams for warehouse layout redesign, WMS upgrades or seasonal capacity planning, providing operational insight and practical feedback.
Help implement barcode labeling standards, SKU rationalization, and bin location optimization to improve pick rates and reduce travel time.
Support customer-facing tasks such as preparing proof-of-delivery documentation, responding to shipment status inquiries, and assisting with customer pickup coordination.
Contribute to the organization’s loss-prevention and inventory control strategy by participating in cycle count planning and shrinkage investigations.
Coordinate with maintenance to report equipment issues and schedule repairs, and perform routine pre-shift equipment checks as required.
Assist in seasonal workload planning by supporting temporary staff onboarding, providing on-the-job training, and helping set up temporary storage or flow lanes.
Maintain accurate documentation for controlled or regulated items, ensuring access restrictions and handling procedures are followed.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) experience — familiarity with scanning workflows, put-away, picking, cycle count and shipping modules (e.g., Manhattan, SAP EWM, HighJump, NetSuite).
Hands-on experience with RF barcode scanners, mobile data terminals and barcode label printers.
Basic ERP knowledge and the ability to perform accurate inventory transactions in systems like SAP, Oracle, NetSuite or Microsoft Dynamics.
Proficient in Microsoft Excel for data entry, simple VLOOKUPs, filtering, sorting and preparing basic inventory/summary reports.
Order picking and packing best practices, including cartonization, weight checks and carrier-specific packing requirements.
Shipping and receiving procedures including carrier appointment scheduling, freight documentation, and familiarity with common carriers (UPS, FedEx, DHL, LTL).
Forklift / powered industrial truck certification (if required) and safe operation experience; knowledge of pallet jack and hand truck operation.
Understanding of basic inventory control methodologies: FIFO, LIFO, lot tracking, cycle counting and discrepancy reconciliation.
Labeling and barcode application knowledge, including GS1 standards and lot/serial number traceability.
Basic knowledge of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations and EHS best practices for warehouse environments.

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail with a commitment to accuracy in picking, packing, data entry and inventory reconciliation.
Excellent time management and ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
Clear verbal and written communication skills for coordinating with carriers, team members, and cross-functional stakeholders.
Team-oriented mindset with the ability to collaborate effectively and support peers under variable workloads.
Problem-solving orientation: able to identify root causes of inventory issues and propose practical, incremental improvements.
Physical stamina and dexterity to perform repetitive lifting, bending and standing for extended periods while maintaining safety.
Reliability, punctuality and a strong work ethic; willing to flex hours during peak seasons or as operational needs require.
Adaptability and willingness to learn new systems, tools and process changes as operations evolve.
Customer service mindset: focused on accuracy and timely fulfillment to support positive customer outcomes.
Integrity and accountability when handling inventory, equipment and sensitive operational information.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED (or equivalent). Relevant vocational certifications or on-the-job training accepted.

Preferred Education:

Associate degree or coursework in logistics, supply chain, operations management, or a related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Operations Management
Industrial Technology
Business Administration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

0–3 years for entry or junior Warehouse Support Assistant roles.
2–5 years preferred for roles requiring independent operation of equipment, cycle counts and more complex inventory responsibilities.

Preferred:

1+ years of warehouse experience supporting receiving, picking/packing, shipping and cycle counting.
Prior experience with WMS, RF scanning and basic data entry; forklift certification or experience preferred.
Demonstrated track record of meeting productivity and accuracy KPIs, maintaining safety standards, and contributing to process improvements.