Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Electric Pallet Jack Order Selector

🎯 Role Definition

We are hiring an Electric Pallet Jack Order Selector responsible for accurately selecting, staging, and preparing customer orders using an electric pallet jack and RF handheld devices. The ideal candidate demonstrates consistent productivity, strong attention to detail, safe equipment operation, and collaboration with shipping, receiving, and inventory teams to meet daily fulfillment targets.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Warehouse Associate / General Laborer with experience in picking and packing
Receiver or Shipping Clerk transitioning into order selection
Seasonal picker or fulfillment temp with equipment operation experience

Advancement To:

Lead Order Selector / Senior Picker
Inventory Control Specialist
Shipping & Receiving Coordinator
Warehouse Shift Supervisor or Team Lead
Forklift Operator / Powered Industrial Truck Operator

Lateral Moves:

Packing & Shipping Specialist
Quality Control Inspector (Fulfillment)
Cross-dock Operator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Efficiently operate an electric pallet jack to pick, consolidate, and stage customer orders from assigned zones while maintaining required productivity targets and 99%+ picking accuracy.
Use RF handheld scanners or mobile devices to receive pick assignments, confirm SKUs/quantities, scan barcodes, and update the warehouse management system (WMS) in real time.
Accurately pick and verify product SKUs, lot numbers, expiration dates (if applicable), and quantities against packing lists to ensure order completeness and prevent shipping errors.
Load, secure, and transport pallets and cases safely to staging or packing areas, following proper palletizing techniques to prevent damage during handling and transit.
Perform visual inspections of products and packaging for damage, labeling errors, or discrepancies and escalate issues to supervisors or quality control to protect customer satisfaction.
Stage orders for downstream processes (packing, shipping, or cross-dock) according to priority, route, or carrier requirements, ensuring timely movement through the fulfillment workflow.
Adhere strictly to established safety procedures, PPE policies, and material handling guidelines, reporting any equipment malfunctions or unsafe conditions immediately to leadership.
Complete routine pre-use checks and simple maintenance of the electric pallet jack (battery charge, brakes, forks, controls) and report defects to maintenance for corrective action.
Assist with cycle counts, physical inventory, and inventory reconciliation tasks by accurately locating and counting assigned product locations within the warehouse.
Participate in daily stand-ups and communicate status updates on pick progress, backorders, missing SKUs, and any issues affecting throughput to the team lead.
Handle temperature-sensitive or fragile items per required handling specifications, including use of insulated packaging or special staging areas as directed.
Follow FIFO, LIFO, FEFO, or other inventory rotation procedures to ensure proper order fulfillment, particularly for perishable or serialized inventory.
Collaborate with packers and shipping clerks to confirm packaging requirements, special instructions, and carrier constraints to minimize rework and expedite shipping windows.
Maintain clean, organized pick zones and aisles, promptly removing debris or obstructions and reporting pallet rack or shelf damage to reduce safety risks and operational delays.
Flex to support multiple zones, shifts, or volumes during peak periods, holidays, or promotional events while preserving accuracy and safety standards.
Assist with inbound receiving when required by unloading, staging, and putting away product to designated locations using the electric pallet jack.
Document and report discrepancies between physical inventory and WMS records, participating in root-cause analysis and corrective action implementations as needed.
Meet and strive to exceed daily and weekly KPIs such as lines picked per hour, cases per hour, on-time shipments, and error rates while maintaining safe work practices.
Train and mentor new order selectors on company procedures, equipment operation, and WMS functions, providing constructive feedback and modeling best practices.
Ensure all outgoing pallets are labeled correctly with appropriate shipping labels, manifests, and special handling tags to support accurate carrier pickup and delivery.
Support continuous improvement initiatives by identifying workflow bottlenecks, suggesting ergonomic improvements, and piloting process changes to increase efficiency.
Follow hazardous materials (HAZMAT) handling guidelines where applicable—segregating, labeling, and staging goods safely to comply with regulatory requirements.
Maintain confidentiality of proprietary customer information and adhere to company policies regarding secure handling of orders and data.

Secondary Functions

Aid in basic housekeeping tasks such as sweeping pick aisles, pallet shrink-wrapping, and maintaining staging area organization.
Support ad-hoc inventory projects including re-slotting, bulk replenishment, and returns processing as directed by warehouse management.
Provide backup support for packing, labeling, and pallet wrap stations during peak demand or staff shortages.
Participate in safety meetings, training refreshers, and equipment certification sessions to maintain compliance and continuous skill development.
Assist with simple data entry or documentation tasks in the WMS related to pick confirmations, exception handling, and inventory adjustments.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Certified or demonstrated ability to safely operate electric pallet jacks and powered pallet movers in a busy warehouse environment.
Proficient with RF barcode scanners, handheld mobile devices, and basic use of Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) to receive and confirm pick assignments.
Strong knowledge of SKU identification, barcode scanning, lot and serial number tracking, and label verification processes.
Experience with palletizing techniques, load securing, shrink-wrapping, and preparing freight for carrier pickup.
Familiarity with shipping and receiving workflows, staging processes, and carrier documentation requirements (manifests, BOLs, shipping labels).
Basic inventory control skills including cycle counting, inventory reconciliation, and identifying discrepancies between WMS and physical stock.
Understanding of FIFO/LIFO/FEFO inventory rotation and the ability to apply correct rotation method to prevent expiry or obsolescence issues.
Ability to follow HAZMAT segregation rules and safe handling procedures for regulated or hazardous products.
Competent in basic arithmetic for quantity verification, order consolidation, and simple counting tasks.
Practical knowledge of OSHA and workplace safety standards related to material handling and powered equipment operation.
Experience with order accuracy measurement and willingness to use KPIs (e.g., lines per hour, error rates) to drive performance.
Familiarity with handheld printers, label application, and basic documentation best practices for shipping and receiving.

Soft Skills

Excellent attention to detail and accuracy orientation to minimize picking and shipping errors.
Strong time management skills and the ability to prioritize tasks to meet tight shipping deadlines.
Clear verbal communication skills for coordinating with leads, packers, and shipping carriers.
Team-oriented mindset with a willingness to help coworkers and flex across tasks during peak demand.
Dependability and strong work ethic demonstrated by consistent attendance, punctuality, and follow-through.
Problem-solving ability to identify root causes of inventory issues and propose practical fixes.
Physical stamina and endurance for prolonged standing, walking, lifting, and repetitive movement in a warehouse setting.
Adaptability and learning agility to operate new devices, follow updated procedures, and support process improvements.
Accountability for safety and quality, proactively reporting hazards or nonconformances.
Positive attitude and resilience in fast-paced, changing fulfillment environments.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED (or equivalent experience in a warehouse role).

Preferred Education:

Vocational training or coursework in logistics, warehousing, or material handling.
Certification in powered industrial truck operation or safety training completion.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Supply Chain Management / Logistics
Warehouse Operations / Industrial Technology
Occupational Safety / OSHA-related courses

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

0 to 3 years of warehouse/order picking experience; entry-level candidates with demonstrated equipment competency will be considered.

Preferred:

1+ years operating electric pallet jacks or other powered pallet movers in a high-volume distribution center.
Prior experience using RF scanners and a Warehouse Management System (WMS) to execute picks and confirmations.
Demonstrated track record meeting productivity KPIs while maintaining high accuracy and safety compliance.