Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Hander

🎯 Role Definition

The Hander is a front-line logistics specialist responsible for safe and efficient movement, sorting, inspection, packing and staging of goods in a warehouse, distribution center, or shipping/receiving environment. This role combines physical material handling with precise inventory control and basic documentation to ensure on-time order fulfillment and compliance with safety and quality standards. The Hander operates equipment such as pallet jacks, forklifts (when certified), and RF barcode scanners, collaborates with cross-functional teams, and supports continuous improvement in inbound/outbound operations.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Warehouse Associate / Shipping & Receiving Clerk
Seasonal Package Handler or Stock Clerk
General Laborer in distribution or retail environments

Advancement To:

Lead Hander / Team Lead (Shipping & Receiving)
Inventory Control Specialist / Materials Coordinator
Forklift Operator / Equipment Specialist
Logistics Coordinator or Warehouse Supervisor

Lateral Moves:

Quality Inspector (warehousing)
Packing & Kitting Specialist
Cross-dock Operator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Receive and inspect inbound shipments against purchase orders and packing lists, documenting discrepancies, damaged goods, or shortages and escalating findings to the supervisor or purchasing team for resolution.
Unload trucks and containers safely using dock equipment, pallet jacks, and forklifts (if certified), ensuring product integrity and accurate staging for put-away.
Accurately pick, pack and stage outbound orders following company packing standards, carrier requirements and dimensional weight guidelines to minimize damages and chargebacks.
Operate RF barcode scanners, handheld devices, and warehouse management systems (WMS) to record receipts, movements, cycle counts and order fulfillment transactions in real time.
Perform daily inventory cycle counts and reconcile variances by investigating root causes, adjusting system records only as authorized, and reporting recurrent issues to inventory control.
Label, tag and prepare product for shipping including pallet configuration, shrink-wrapping, strapping, and documentation for LTL/FTL carriers in compliance with carrier and regulatory requirements.
Load trailers and containers efficiently to optimize space and weight distribution, preparing manifests, bills of lading and shipping documents and collaborating with carriers during pickup.
Follow OSHA and company safety policies, including correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE), lockout/tagout procedures for equipment, and participate in safety audits and toolbox talks.
Conduct quality checks on products for correct quantities, packaging integrity, expiration dates, lot numbers, and adherence to handling instructions; quarantine and document non-conforming items.
Maintain clean, organized and safe work areas by removing debris, securing aisles, stacking material properly and reporting facility hazards to supervisory staff.
Coordinate with production, procurement and customer service teams to prioritize rush orders, special shipments and returns, ensuring on-time delivery and accurate fulfillment.
Execute returns processing and reverse logistics tasks such as receiving RMA items, inspecting for restocking, and updating disposition codes in WMS or ERP systems.
Use basic hand tools and light equipment to assemble crates, build pallets, and apply packing materials to protect fragile or high-value shipments.
Support cross-docking operations by rapidly transferring goods from inbound to outbound trailers with minimal storage time while updating transaction records.
Track and report daily productivity metrics (e.g., lines picked, pallets moved, orders packed) and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that increase throughput and reduce handling costs.
Handle hazardous materials or regulated goods where applicable, following specific handling protocols, labeling requirements and documentation for compliance with DOT, EPA or other regulatory bodies.
Assist in onboarding and training new Handers by demonstrating standard operating procedures (SOPs), equipment operation, and safety practices to raise team capability and consistency.
Troubleshoot common equipment issues (e.g., pallet jacks, conveyors) by performing basic maintenance checks and coordinating timely repairs with maintenance teams to minimize downtime.
Adhere to company loss-prevention programs by monitoring high-value inventory, securing stock controls, and documenting unusual activity or shrinkage events.
Participate in seasonal peak operations and contingency scheduling, flexing hours as needed to meet surge demand and maintain service level agreements with customers.
Prepare and reconcile shipping invoices and packing documents for auditing, ensuring all outbound paperwork matches digital records and customer requirements.
Verify and record serial numbers, lot codes and expiration dates for regulated products, ensuring traceability and accurate shipping of controlled inventory.
Implement and follow FIFO, FEFO or other inventory rotation strategies to reduce waste and maintain product freshness in perishable or time-sensitive supply chains.
Support ad-hoc cross-functional projects such as layout reconfigurations, process mapping, and pilot implementations of automation tools or new picking technologies.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis.
Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap.
Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into engineering requirements.
Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data engineering team.
Assist with periodic audits, cycle count projects, and regulatory inspections by preparing documentation and executing assigned tasks.
Support vendor pick-ups and inter-facility transfers by coordinating schedules and preparing accurate shipping paperwork.
Provide feedback on process bottlenecks and suggest practical floor-level improvements to supervisors and continuous improvement teams.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficient operation of material handling equipment (pallet jack, manual and powered pallet truck, hand truck) and safe operation of forklifts when certified.
Experience with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) such as Manhattan, SAP EWM, Oracle WMS or similar platforms for transaction entry and inventory control.
Skilled in barcode scanning, RFID, and RF handheld devices for receiving, picking and cycle count workflows.
Knowledge of shipping/receiving processes including manifests, bills of lading, packing slips, carrier scheduling and LTL/FTL best practices.
Ability to perform accurate inventory counts and reconcile discrepancies using inventory control procedures and cycle count methodologies.
Familiarity with OSHA safety regulations, PPE requirements, and basic confined space / lockout/tagout awareness applicable to warehouse operations.
Competence in packing optimization, load planning and palletization techniques to prevent damage and minimize freight spend.
Basic computer literacy including Microsoft Excel (data entry, simple formulas), email, and digital documentation systems.
Experience handling hazardous materials and regulated goods with proper labeling, documentation and segregation procedures where required.
Proficiency in reading and understanding packing lists, invoices, SKU numbers, lot codes, and product labeling for accurate processing.
Knowledge of basic maintenance checks for conveyor systems, pallet jacks and loading dock equipment and ability to report defects to maintenance teams.
Familiarity with quality inspection standards, defect logging, and non-conformance reporting within a warehouse context.

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail and accuracy to ensure order completeness and prevent costly shipping errors.
Excellent time management and ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
Clear verbal and written communication skills for effective coordination with supervisors, carriers, and cross-functional teams.
Team-oriented mindset with demonstrated ability to collaborate and support peers during high-volume peaks.
Physical stamina and endurance, able to lift, carry and move items within company safety limits for extended periods.
Problem-solving orientation and practical judgment to make on-the-spot decisions that protect inventory and customer commitments.
Adaptability to changing procedures, seasonal surges and new technology adoption on the warehouse floor.
Reliability and punctuality with a strong work ethic and commitment to meeting shift expectations and attendance standards.
Customer-service focus when interacting with internal stakeholders and external carriers to achieve positive service outcomes.
Attention to continuous improvement and willingness to suggest and implement efficiencies in daily workflows.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:
High school diploma or GED (or equivalent experience in logistics/warehouse operations).

Preferred Education:
Associate degree or certificate in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Industrial Technology, or related technical training; forklift certification and OSHA 10/30 preferred.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Operations Management / Industrial Technology
Business Administration (entry-level logistics)
Mechanical or Electrical Maintenance (for equipment-focused roles)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:
0–3 years for entry-level Hander roles; 2–5+ years for senior or specialized Hander positions (e.g., hazardous materials, high-value inventory, or WMS superuser).

Preferred:
1–3 years experience in a warehouse, distribution center, or shipping/receiving role; experience with WMS, RF scanning and demonstrated forklift operation where applicable. Prior experience in high-volume, time-sensitive environments or with regulated goods is a plus.