Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Goods Mover

🎯 Role Definition

A Goods Mover is a hands-on logistics professional responsible for the safe, efficient, and accurate movement of goods within warehouses, distribution centers, loading docks and delivery routes. This role includes loading and unloading freight, staging and securing shipments, conducting basic inspections, using handheld scanners and pallet equipment, and maintaining accurate shipment documentation. The ideal candidate demonstrates physical stamina, a strong safety mindset, attention to detail, and the ability to collaborate with warehouse teams and drivers to meet tight shipping schedules.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Seasonal warehouse associate or stock associate
Retail stockroom clerk or shipping/receiving assistant
General labor or construction helper with logistics exposure

Advancement To:

Material Handler / Senior Goods Mover
Lead Dock Associate or Shift Lead
Forklift Operator / Certified Equipment Operator
Logistics Coordinator or Inventory Control Specialist

Lateral Moves:

Courier / Local Delivery Driver
Cross-Dock Operator
Quality Control / Shipping Documentation Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Receive inbound freight at the dock, inspect for visible damage, verify shipment counts against bills of lading (BOL), packing lists and purchase orders, and report discrepancies to the supervisor.
Load and unload box trucks, straight trucks, trailers and containers using proper lifting techniques, pallet jacks and dollies to minimize product damage and maintain safety.
Safely operate manual and powered pallet jacks and hand trucks to transfer pallets and bulk shipments between staging, storage, and loading areas.
Stage, organize and palletize outbound shipments according to load plans and carrier requirements, ensuring weight distribution and securement for transit.
Scan and update inventory and shipping records in warehouse management systems (WMS) or via RF handheld scanners to maintain real-time visibility of stock movements.
Break down incoming pallets and repack or sort items by SKU, zone, or destination, following labeling and bin location procedures for efficient putaway.
Assist forklift operators by serving as spotter/traffic controller during trailer loading/unloading and by providing accurate directions to reduce risk.
Apply appropriate load securement techniques—strapping, shrink-wrap, blocking and bracing—to protect goods during transport and adhere to carrier policies.
Accurately complete and maintain shipping and receiving paperwork including bills of lading, packing slips, damage reports and transfer tags.
Perform cycle counts, full counts and ad hoc inventory verifications, documenting discrepancies and collaborating with inventory control to reconcile variances.
Prepare pallets and cartons for cross-docking, staging fast-moving SKUs for immediate outbound pick-up by carriers.
Support last-mile delivery teams by assisting with residential/commercial drop-offs when required, while following customer service and safety protocols.
Conduct routine pre-shift and post-shift equipment checks for pallet jacks, hand trucks and trailers; report maintenance issues promptly to prevent downtime.
Follow and promote OSHA, DOT and company-specific safety policies; participate in daily safety briefings and identify potential hazards on the dock and in aisles.
Prioritize shipments to meet scheduled carrier pick-ups and delivery cutoffs, coordinating with dispatch and operations to expedite high-priority orders.
Perform light housekeeping duties on the dock and in staging areas—sweeping, removing debris and securing loose packaging materials—to maintain a safe work environment.
Load and secure mixed pallet configurations and irregular-shaped items using best practices to prevent shifting and reduce product loss.
Support returns processing and reverse logistics by receiving returned merchandise, documenting condition, and staging items for refurbish, restock or disposal.
Communicate proactively with warehouse leads, drivers and carriers regarding delays, damages, shortages or special handling requirements to prevent service failures.
Assist with seasonal surge operations and peak-volume projects by working extended hours or rotating shifts to meet business demand.
Maintain chain-of-custody and traceability by tagging lot numbers and expiration dates where applicable, and escalating any quality or compliance concerns.
Participate in continuous improvement initiatives by giving feedback on material flow, layout changes and equipment needs to increase throughput and reduce handling time.
Support emergency load/unload operations and special projects such as inventory clean-ups, relocations and facility reorganizations as assigned.

Secondary Functions

Provide on-the-spot training to new hires on safe lifting techniques, pallet jack operation and basic dock procedures.
Help coordinate shared dock space with carriers and third-party logistics providers to optimize turnaround times.
Assist the inventory control team with reconciliation of flagged items and temporary holds.
Complete basic administrative tasks, including logging repairs, filing damage claims and scanning documents into electronic records.
Participate in equipment maintenance scheduling by reporting damaged straps, shrink-wrap machines or pallet jacks and ensuring their removal from service.
Support customer service and sales teams by preparing ad-hoc shipments and rush orders for same-day or next-day delivery.
Serve as the point of contact for carriers during loading/unloading windows to ensure accurate signatures and documentation capture.
Aid in the implementation of lean warehousing tactics by offering suggestions for reducing travel time and improving pick paths.
Monitor and restock dock supplies such as shrink wrap, banding, straps and protective corner guards.
Maintain compliance with hazardous materials handling guidelines when shipping non-hazardous materials are intermingled with regulated items; escalate if necessary.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Safe manual material handling and advanced lifting techniques to minimize injury and product damage.
Proficient operation of powered and manual pallet jacks, hand trucks, dollies and basic material handling equipment.
Experience using RF barcode scanners, handheld devices and basic WMS functions for receiving, putaway and shipping transactions.
Basic knowledge of loading and securement best practices (strapping, shrink-wrapping, blocking/bracing and weight distribution).
Familiarity with bills of lading (BOL), packing lists, shipping manifests and proof-of-delivery documentation.
Basic understanding of inventory control principles, cycle counting and stock rotation (FIFO/LIFO).
Ability to read and follow load plans, routing instructions and carrier-specific loading constraints.
Competence performing visual inspections for freight damage, moisture, label accuracy and shipment integrity.
Experience in cross-docking operations and staging high-turn inventory for immediate outbound.
Basic vehicle safety checks and pre-trip/post-trip inspection awareness for dock-supported delivery vehicles.
Ability to perform physical tasks for extended periods: lifting up to company limits (commonly 50 lbs+), repetitively bending, pushing and pulling.
Familiarity with OSHA and DOT safety standards as they relate to warehouse/dock operations.
Optional but advantageous: forklift certification, CDL Class B or Class C for roles that require driving or heavy equipment operation.

Soft Skills

Dependable and punctual with an attendance record that supports shift-based logistics operations.
Strong attention to detail when counting, labeling and documenting shipments to prevent order errors.
Clear verbal communication skills for coordinating with drivers, supervisors and carriers on the dock.
Team-oriented mindset—willing to assist peers during peak periods and to collaborate on load planning.
Time management and prioritization skills to meet cutoffs and carrier schedules under pressure.
Problem-solving ability to address shipment discrepancies, space constraints and unexpected delays.
Customer-service orientation when interacting with carrier personnel and, occasionally, recipients.
Adaptability to changing priorities, variable shift patterns and seasonal volume fluctuations.
Safety-first attitude with the willingness to stop work and escalate unsafe conditions.
Resilience and physical stamina to perform intensive manual work for full shifts.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED

Preferred Education:

Technical certificate or short-course training in warehousing, logistics, or OSHA safety
Forklift operator certification or relevant equipment training

Relevant Fields of Study:

Logistics & Supply Chain Management
Warehouse Operations
Transportation & Distribution
Business or Industrial Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

Entry-level: 0–1 year in warehousing or material handling
Experienced: 1–4 years performing goods mover, shipping/receiving or dock operations

Preferred:

1–3 years in a high-volume distribution center or freight handling environment
Prior experience using RF scanners and WMS software (e.g., Manhattan, SAP WM, Oracle WMS, Fishbowl)
Forklift certification and clean driving record for positions that involve vehicle operation or local deliveries