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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Warehousing Technician

💰 $35,000 - $55,000

LogisticsWarehousingSupply ChainOperations

🎯 Role Definition

A Warehousing Technician is responsible for efficient, accurate, and safe handling of goods across receiving, storage, picking, packing, and shipping operations. This role ensures inventory accuracy, supports warehouse management system (WMS) processes, operates material handling equipment (MHE), and maintains regulatory and company safety standards. The position is well-suited for candidates with experience in logistics, order fulfillment, inventory control, and industrial safety practices.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Material Handler / Warehouse Associate
  • Shipping & Receiving Clerk
  • Production/Assembly Technician

Advancement To:

  • Warehouse Supervisor / Team Lead
  • Inventory Control Specialist
  • Logistics Coordinator / Distribution Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Quality Control Inspector (Warehouse QA)
  • Maintenance Technician (Facilities/MHE)
  • Returns & Reverse Logistics Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Receive inbound shipments, verify packing lists and bills of lading, inspect merchandise for damage or discrepancies, and accurately document exceptions to ensure real-time inventory reconciliation in the warehouse management system (WMS).
  • Stage, store, and put away product using established slotting rules and warehouse layout plans, optimizing space utilization and ensuring goods are stored according to FIFO/LIFO, temperature, and handling requirements.
  • Pick, pack, and prepare customer orders for shipment using RF scanners, barcode technology, and WMS-directed workflows while meeting daily productivity and accuracy KPIs.
  • Operate forklifts, pallet jacks, reach trucks, and other material handling equipment safely and efficiently, following OSHA/ANSI standards and company MHE certification requirements.
  • Conduct cycle counts, periodic physical inventories, and reconciliation activities to maintain at least target inventory accuracy rates; investigate and resolve discrepancies with root-cause analysis.
  • Load and unload trailers, coordinate with carriers and yard control, and prepare shipping documentation (BOLs, manifests, commercial invoices) to support on-time dispatch and carrier compliance.
  • Label products and cases with accurate barcodes, SKU information, and handling instructions; ensure scanning and labeling meet EDI/retailer compliance standards.
  • Prepare and process returns, non-conforming goods, and scrap materials through proper quarantine procedures, returns authorizations, and disposition workflows in the WMS.
  • Perform quality inspections on received and outgoing goods, record non-conformances, and collaborate with Quality Assurance to initiate corrective actions when required.
  • Maintain clean, safe, and organized work areas by following 5S principles and company housekeeping standards to minimize product damage and workplace hazards.
  • Follow hazardous materials handling protocols, including segregation, labeling, and documentation for SHARPS, controlled substances, or regulated chemicals where applicable.
  • Execute packaging optimization and right-size packing initiatives to reduce dimensional weight and transportation costs while preserving product integrity.
  • Support cross-dock operations by quickly transferring inbound freight to outbound staging areas and coordinating with scheduling teams to minimize dwell time.
  • Utilize WMS and ERP systems to create, update, and close work orders, putaway tasks, picking waves, and shipment records while logging cycle-time metrics and exceptions.
  • Assist in load planning and pallet building to maximize cube utilization and secure shipments for transit, using standard blocking and bracing techniques.
  • Participate in continuous improvement projects such as Kaizen, Lean manufacturing, and safety campaigns to improve throughput, reduce waste, and increase accuracy.
  • Train new hires and temporary staff on warehouse processes, equipment operation, and safety practices; document training and verify competence per company policy.
  • Coordinate with procurement, planning, and customer service teams to prioritize order fulfillment for critical orders and expedite shipments as needed.
  • Monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) like picks per hour, dock-to-stock time, inventory accuracy, on-time shipments, and safety incident rates; propose operational improvements.
  • Perform basic maintenance checks on material handling equipment, report defects, and interface with maintenance teams to schedule repairs to prevent downtime.
  • Apply RFID and barcode technologies to speed data capture and increase traceability across the supply chain, ensuring traceability of serialized or lot-controlled inventory.
  • Ensure compliance with company policies, customer requirements, and regulatory standards (OSHA, DOT, IATA for air freight where applicable) to reduce liability and enable successful audits.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc operational tasks such as cycle-count auditing, cross-training in adjacent warehouse functions, and temporary coverage for receiving or shipping peaks.
  • Assist inventory control team with data validation, ERP/WMS data clean-up, and reconciliation projects to improve master data quality.
  • Provide feedback to supervisors on process bottlenecks, equipment needs, and training gaps that impact throughput or safety.
  • Participate in seasonal scale-up activities, including ramping up temporary workforce onboarding and documentation for peak-volume periods.
  • Contribute to warehouse safety committees and incident investigations by supplying factual accounts and suggesting preventive measures.
  • Collaborate with sustainability initiatives by identifying opportunities to reduce packaging waste and support recycling programs on-site.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Warehouse Management System (WMS) proficiency (e.g., Oracle WMS, Manhattan, Blue Yonder, Fishbowl, SAP EWM) — create/close tasks, manage inventory records, and process shipments.
  • RF barcode scanning and handheld device operation for receiving, picking, cycle counting, and shipping.
  • Forklift and powered industrial truck operation certified with experience on sit-down, reach, and pallet jack equipment; knowledge of OSHA/ANSI forklift safety requirements.
  • Inventory control and reconciliation techniques including cycle counting, blind counts, and root-cause analysis.
  • Shipping documentation and carrier communication: bills of lading (BOL), manifests, packing lists, and freight claims processing.
  • Knowledge of picking strategies (batch, zone, wave), order consolidation, and pick-pack-ship workflows.
  • Pallet building, load securement, and load optimization principles to maximize cube utilization and prevent transit damage.
  • Basic PC skills: Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUP, filtering, pivot tables), Outlook, and data entry in ERP/WMS systems.
  • Quality inspection methods including visual inspection, sample testing, lot/serial traceability, and non-conformance reporting.
  • Hazardous materials (HAZMAT) basics and regulations for handling/segregation where applicable; knowledge of DOT/IATA rules for regulated shipments.
  • Experience with packaging materials, packaging optimization, and dimensioning/weight capture technologies.
  • Preventive maintenance awareness for MHE and ability to perform pre-shift safety checks.

Soft Skills

  • Strong attention to detail and commitment to high inventory accuracy and shipping correctness.
  • Clear verbal and written communication skills for coordinating with carriers, vendors, and internal teams.
  • Time management and ability to prioritize tasks during high-volume periods while meeting SLA targets.
  • Problem-solving mindset with the ability to investigate discrepancies and implement corrective actions.
  • Team player attitude and flexibility to cross-train in multiple warehouse functions.
  • Dependable work ethic and punctuality, with a focus on meeting production schedules and shift commitments.
  • Safety-first mindset with a proactive approach to hazard recognition and incident prevention.
  • Adaptability to changing processes, technology upgrades, and peak-season workload fluctuations.
  • Customer-service orientation for handling internal/external stakeholder requests and special order handling.
  • Coaching and mentorship capability to support training of new or temporary staff.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED required.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate degree or technical diploma in Logistics, Supply Chain, Industrial Technology, or a related field.
  • Certifications such as OSHA 10/30, forklift/PIT certification, or Certified Logistics Associate (CLA) are a plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Logistics and Supply Chain Management
  • Industrial/Manufacturing Technology
  • Business Administration
  • Occupational Health & Safety

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–5 years in warehouse, distribution, or material handling roles.

Preferred:

  • 2+ years operating forklifts and MHE in a high-volume distribution center.
  • Demonstrated experience using WMS/ERP systems and RF scanning technologies.
  • Previous exposure to shipping compliance, carrier documentation, and cycle-count programs.
  • Experience working in fast-paced, KPI-driven environments with demonstrated safety record.
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