Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Electric Pallet Jack Order Puller

🎯 Role Definition

The Electric Pallet Jack Order Puller is a hands-on warehouse role responsible for accurately and efficiently picking, staging, and moving product using an electric pallet jack (powered pallet truck). This position focuses on order fulfillment accuracy, inventory integrity, safe equipment operation, and timely support of shipping/receiving workflows. The ideal candidate combines physical stamina, attention to detail, RF/WMS proficiency, and a strong safety mindset to meet productivity targets in fast-paced distribution environments.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Warehouse Associate / General Laborer
Receiving Clerk or Shipping Clerk
Retail Stock Associate

Advancement To:

Lead Order Puller / Lead Picker
Inventory Control Specialist
Shipping & Receiving Supervisor
Warehouse Supervisor / Operations Lead

Lateral Moves:

Cross-Dock Operator
Forklift / Powered Industrial Truck (PIT) Operator
Quality Control Inspector
Returns & Reverse Logistics Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Operate an electric pallet jack to pick and stage orders across multiple zones, ensuring each pick matches the order ticket or RF scanner instructions and meets SKU, quantity and lot requirements.
Execute high-volume order picking using RF handheld scanners or mobile terminals, accurately scanning barcodes, confirming picks, and updating the Warehouse Management System (WMS) in real time.
Assemble pallets, layer products, and prepare pallets for shipment using proper stacking techniques and shrink-wrap, stretch film or banding to secure loads and prevent damage in transit.
Stage outbound loads at designated dock locations according to shipping schedules, carrier requirements, and dock assignment boards to ensure on-time pickups and efficient trailer loading.
Conduct inbound putaway and cross-dock movements by moving received pallets from receiving to storage locations or directly to staging areas for same-day fulfillment.
Verify items as picked by comparing product SKUs, lot numbers and expiration dates (when applicable) against packing slips and pick tickets to uphold order accuracy and customer satisfaction.
Perform regular cycle counts and support inventory reconciliation activities by locating discrepancies, tagging variances, and collaborating with inventory control to resolve root causes.
Inspect pallets, packaging and product for damage, report non-conforming items through the appropriate system, and quarantine damaged goods according to company protocols.
Maintain productivity and accuracy targets by following standard operating procedures (SOPs) and key performance indicators (KPIs) such as picks per hour, lines per hour and accuracy percentage.
Load and unload trailers manually and with pallet jack support, following safe load distribution practices and communicating with dock coordinators to manage trailer sequencing.
Follow FIFO (First-In, First-Out) and FEFO (First-Expire, First-Out) methods for perishable or date-sensitive SKUs to reduce waste and maintain product integrity.
Adhere to OSHA and company safety policies, using required personal protective equipment (PPE), performing pre-operational equipment checks, and reporting hazards to supervisors immediately.
Tag, label and affix shipping documentation to pallets and cases, ensuring carrier labels, bill of lading and packing lists are accurate and legible.
Collaborate with pick team members, zone leads and supervisors to prioritize rush orders, resolve backorders, and reorganize staging areas during peak demand periods.
Execute returns processing tasks for customer returns or vendor returns, including sorting, inspecting, repacking, and returning product to inventory or designated return areas.
Maintain clean, organized aisles and storage locations by removing debris, pallet banding, and damaged packaging to support safe and efficient material handling operations.
Support cycle time reduction initiatives and continuous improvement projects by suggesting process improvements, participating in Kaizen activities, and testing lean warehousing techniques.
Assist with staging and kitting operations for special orders, promotional packs and mixed-SKU pallets by accurately assembling kits and verifying contents against BOMs (bills of material).
Document and escalate inventory discrepancies, lost items, and damaged product using the WMS and company incident reporting tools, including photographic evidence when required.
Participate in daily stretch assignments, shift huddles and communication sessions to align on priorities, throughput goals and safety reminders.
Perform limited preventive maintenance tasks and daily checks on electric pallet jack battery charge, wheels, forks and controls; coordinate charging and swap schedules to prevent downtime.
Support seasonal surges and peak operations by flexing to different shifts, working extended hours, and picking in high-velocity zones with minimal supervision.
Provide basic training and on-the-job coaching to new team members on safe pallet jack operation, RF scanning procedures and picking best practices when assigned as a mentor.

Secondary Functions

Assist shipping and receiving clerks with paperwork reconciliation, carrier paperwork organization and dock scheduling support during peak periods.
Participate in periodic warehouse audits and compliance walkthroughs, providing required documentation and access to storage locations.
Help label and rotate aged inventory to compliant locations for markdown, disposal or rework per quality assurance instructions.
Provide feedback to supervisors on productivity impediments such as equipment shortages, WMS issues or layout inefficiencies.
Assist in staging replenishment runs for high-demand picking locations and communicate low-stock conditions to replenishment or purchasing teams.
Support special projects including facility moves, slotting projects and new SKU introductions by providing hands-on picking and staging expertise.
Perform light housekeeping tasks such as sweeping staging areas, pallet wrap removal and maintaining organized staging racks.
Participate in mandatory safety, product handling and certification trainings; complete required forms and acknowledge training records.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficient operation of electric pallet jacks / powered pallet trucks in a busy distribution center while following manufacturer and company safety guidelines.
Practical experience with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and RF handheld scanners (e.g., Zebra, Honeywell), including basic data entry and exception handling.
Strong knowledge of order picking methods: batch picking, zone picking, wave picking and pick-to-light or pick-to-voice systems.
Ability to read, interpret and act on pick tickets, packing lists, bills of lading and shipping manifests.
Basic material handling skills: pallet assembly, shrink-wrapping, strapping, labeling and load securement techniques.
Familiarity with inventory control processes: cycle counting, inventory reconciliation, FIFO/FEFO rotation and discrepancy reporting.
Basic mechanical aptitude to perform pre-use inspections and minor troubleshooting of pallet jack components and battery systems.
Competency in safe manual material handling, including proper lifting techniques and ergonomics, and ability to lift up to company-specified weight limits.
Working knowledge of shipping/receiving workflows, carrier requirements and dock operations.
Experience documenting discrepancies and using electronic systems to create incident reports or non-conformance logs.

Soft Skills

High attention to detail and strong accuracy mindset to minimize shipping errors and returns.
Excellent time management and organization skills to meet productivity targets and shipping deadlines.
Strong teamwork and collaboration skills; comfortable communicating with supervisors, dock teams and cross-functional partners.
Ability to stay calm and productive in high-volume, deadline-driven environments and adapt to changing priorities.
Problem solving and initiative to identify and escalate operational issues proactively.
Dependability and punctuality with a commitment to consistent shift attendance and schedule flexibility.
Clear verbal communication for safety, coordination with drivers and instruction following.
Positive attitude toward continuous improvement and willingness to participate in process optimization initiatives.
Safety-first mindset with the ability to follow written procedures and coach peers on best practices.
Customer-focused orientation, understanding the impact of picking accuracy on end-customer satisfaction.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED (or equivalent experience).

Preferred Education:

Vocational training or certifications related to logistics, warehousing, or material handling.
OSHA 10-hour or equivalent workplace safety training preferred.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Industrial Technology / Manufacturing
Transportation and Distribution

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

0 to 3 years of warehouse or distribution experience; many openings accept entry-level candidates with strong physical ability and on-the-job training.

Preferred:

1+ year of direct experience operating electric pallet jacks or powered pallet trucks in a high-volume warehouse.
Experience using RF scanners and a WMS (e.g., Manhattan, SAP EWM, Oracle WMS, HighJump).
Prior exposure to shipping/receiving, cycle counting or inventory control preferred.
Certifications such as Powered Industrial Truck (PIT) certification or OSHA 10 are a plus.