Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Warehouse Worker Assistant

🎯 Role Definition

The Warehouse Worker Assistant supports daily warehouse operations by receiving, inspecting, storing, picking, packing, and shipping inventory with accuracy and speed. This role requires practical material handling skills, familiarity with warehouse management systems (WMS) and RF scanning, strong attention to detail, and a safety-first mindset. The ideal candidate helps maintain inventory accuracy, improves picking and packing efficiency, and assists supervisors with workflow coordination to meet service level agreements (SLAs) and key performance indicators (KPIs).

This job is entry- to mid-level and is essential for organizations focused on logistics, supply chain, e-commerce fulfillment, retail distribution, and manufacturing support. Responsibilities emphasize hands-on tasks, documentation, compliance with OSHA and company safety protocols, and collaboration across shipping, receiving, inventory control, and quality teams.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Retail Stock Associate looking to specialize in warehouse operations and logistics.
Material Handler or Laborer with basic experience in inventory movement and warehouse tools.
Shipping & Receiving Clerk seeking broader floor-level experience in picking, packing, and inventory.

Advancement To:

Warehouse Associate / Senior Warehouse Associate
Inventory Control Specialist
Certified Forklift Operator / Equipment Specialist
Lead Warehouse Worker or Team Lead
Warehouse Supervisor or Assistant Manager
Logistics Coordinator or Operations Analyst

Lateral Moves:

Shipping Clerk / Receiving Clerk
Returns & Restocking Specialist
Quality Control Inspector
Kitting and Assembly Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Receive inbound shipments: unload trailers, verify quantities and condition of goods against bills of lading and purchase orders, and enter discrepancies into the Warehouse Management System (WMS) while escalating damage or shortages to supervisors.
Conduct detailed inspection of received items for quality, expiration dates, serial numbers, and compliance with packing lists; quarantine damaged or nonconforming products and complete required documentation.
Operate material handling equipment safely (hand pallet jacks, electric pallet jacks, walkie stackers) and, if certified, forklifts to move product between receiving, storage, and staging areas while following OSHA and company safety protocols.
Use RF scanners, handheld barcode readers, and WMS terminals to scan receipts, pick tickets, cycle count tags, and shipping labels to maintain real-time inventory accuracy.
Execute order picking using single-order, batch, wave, or zone picking methods to meet daily throughput targets while minimizing errors and optimizing route efficiency.
Pack orders to specification: select appropriate packaging materials, verify SKU accuracy, secure fragile items, label parcels correctly, and prepare carriers’ documentation and manifests for shipping.
Stage and load outbound shipments: confirm carrier pick-up windows, verify pallet count and carton weights, secure loads with straps or shrink wrap, and sign or process carrier paperwork at dispatch.
Perform cycle counts and full inventory counts as scheduled: reconcile count variances, investigate root causes, adjust inventory records in WMS following audit procedures, and report findings to inventory control.
Replenish pick locations from bulk storage to maintain product availability and reduce stockouts, following FIFO/LIFO rules and shelf-life management practices where applicable.
Process returns and reverse logistics: inspect returned items, determine disposition (restock, refurbish, scrap), update return authorizations, and coordinate with quality assurance or vendor claim teams.
Prepare kitted or bundled orders by assembling components per bill of materials (BOM), verifying completeness, and labeling kits for shipment or storage.
Maintain accurate shipping documentation including packing lists, commercial invoices (for international shipments), bills of lading, and hazardous materials paperwork when applicable.
Follow hazardous materials (HAZMAT) handling procedures for regulated items: segregate and label dangerous goods, prepare required shipping documentation, and notify supervisors of special storage needs.
Monitor and report on daily KPIs such as picks per hour, orders per hour, on-time shipments, and inventory accuracy; assist supervisors in identifying bottlenecks and implementing continuous improvement suggestions.
Support cross-docking operations by receiving inbound freight, immediately staging items for outbound delivery without long-term storage, and coordinating timing with carriers and pick teams.
Maintain clean, organized, and safe work areas: perform daily housekeeping, remove debris, and ensure aisles and emergency exits are unobstructed to comply with safety audits.
Assist with onboarding and informal training of new warehouse staff on standard operating procedures (SOPs), proper equipment use, picking strategies, and safety policies to accelerate ramp-up time.
Weigh, measure, and label pallets and cartons accurately to ensure freight invoices and carrier documents reflect correct dimensions and weights for cost control.
Perform light maintenance and inspection of warehouse equipment: report malfunctioning forklifts, conveyor issues, and handheld scanner problems to maintenance or management; execute basic cleaning and minor repairs within training scope.
Coordinate with customer service and sales teams to clarify order discrepancies, expedite rush orders, and resolve fulfillment exceptions with speed and professionalism.
Follow established security procedures for high-value or controlled inventory: verify credentials, record access logs, and participate in loss-prevention activities and investigations when needed.
Implement continuous improvement tasks: participate in Kaizen events, suggest layout changes to improve flow, and assist in piloting new picking or packing technologies and processes.
Adhere to company attendance and scheduling protocols, supporting flexible shifts, overtime or seasonal surge coverage to meet business demand peaks.

Secondary Functions

Assist with ad-hoc inventory and reporting requests, pulling data from WMS for audits, cycle counts, and management reviews.
Help maintain and update SOP documentation, location maps, and pick-face labeling to ensure accuracy and ease of training.
Support seasonal or promotional surge planning by assisting in temporary reconfiguration of storage and staging areas.
Participate in safety meetings, near-miss reporting, and corrective action follow-up to strengthen the site's safety culture.
Assist cross-functional teams (quality, procurement, transportation) with special projects such as layout reconfiguration, slotting optimization, and returns program improvements.
Perform product sampling and basic QC checks for lot traceability when requested by the quality control team.
Provide back-up coverage for related roles (shipping, receiving, inventory) during absences or peak periods.
Help coordinate carrier tendering and scheduling by communicating accurate pickup readiness and loading requirements.
Support merchandising or store replenishment teams by preparing store-ready pallets, planograms, and product displays when needed.
Collect and dispose of packing materials and recycle cardboard, stretch wrap, and pallet waste according to company sustainability programs.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficient operation of warehouse material handling equipment: hand pallet jacks, electric pallet jacks, dollies, conveyors; forklift certification and experience preferred.
Hands-on experience with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) such as Manhattan, SAP EWM, Oracle WMS, Blue Yonder, or similar platforms and workflows.
Skilled with RF scanning devices, barcode scanners, portable terminals, and handheld computers for real-time transaction processing.
Strong understanding of shipping & receiving processes, freight documentation, carrier manifests, and palletization best practices.
Accurate order picking and packing techniques, including use of pick lists, batch picking, wave picking, and zone picking methods.
Inventory control and reconciliation skills: cycle counting, variance investigation, inventory adjustments, and root cause analysis.
Knowledge of labeling standards (GS1, UPC, barcode printing), cartonization rules, and freight dimension/weight measurement.
Familiarity with OSHA safety regulations, PPE usage, lockout/tagout basics, and HAZMAT handling procedures for regulated materials.
Basic computer literacy: data entry, email communication, Microsoft Excel (basic formulas, filters, sorting), and familiarity with ERP integration points.
Experience preparing commercial shipping documentation for domestic and international shipments and working with freight carriers and LTL providers.
Ability to perform basic maintenance checks, troubleshoot common equipment issues, and report maintenance tickets through CMMS or helpdesk systems.
Comfortable with physical measurements and use of scales, tape measures, and pallet wrappers for accurate shipment preparation.

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in order fulfillment, labeling, and inventory tasks.
Excellent time management and prioritization skills to balance multiple simultaneous tasks in a fast-paced environment.
Team-oriented communicator who collaborates effectively with peers, supervisors, and cross-functional partners.
Dependable and punctual with a strong attendance record and willingness to support shift flexibility and overtime when required.
Problem-solving mindset with the ability to escalate appropriately and implement corrective actions for recurring issues.
Adaptability to changing workloads, seasonal surges, and process updates while maintaining quality and safety.
Physical stamina and dexterity for repetitive lifting, bending, standing, and walking for long periods; ability to lift company-specified weights safely.
Customer-focused orientation when interacting with internal stakeholders and external carriers to resolve fulfillment exceptions.
Strong sense of ownership and accountability for assigned tasks, KPIs, and continuous improvement goals.
Positive attitude and resilience under pressure to meet tight deadlines and daily performance targets.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent (GED) preferred but not always required for entry-level positions.

Preferred Education:

High school diploma; vocational training in logistics, supply chain, or industrial operations is a plus.
Certifications such as OSHA 10, forklift/operator certification, or warehouse safety credentials are highly desirable.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Industrial Technology or Operations Management
Business Administration with a focus on Operations or Inventory Control
Vocational/Technical certifications in Materials Handling or Equipment Operation

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

Entry-level: 0–2 years in warehouse, retail stocking, or material handling roles.
Experienced: 1–4 years in warehouse operations, shipping & receiving, or inventory control (preferred for mid-level roles).

Preferred:

1–3 years of direct warehouse experience with documented proficiency in WMS and RF scanning.
Prior forklift certification and demonstrated safety record, experience with cycle counts and order fulfillment accuracy targets.
Experience working in high-volume e-commerce, retail distribution, or third-party logistics (3PL) environments is advantageous.