Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Kitter

🎯 Role Definition

A Kitter (Kit Assembler) is responsible for assembling, staging, and delivering component kits required by production lines, repair centers, or shipping operations. The Kitter reads Bills of Material (BOM) and pick lists, selects and inspects parts, labels and barcodes kits, maintains kitting documentation and inventory accuracy, and ensures kits are complete, traceable and delivered on time while following safety, quality and regulatory requirements (GMP/ISO/OSHA as applicable).

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Warehouse Associate / Picker-Packer
Material Handler / Shipping & Receiving Clerk
Production Assembler / General Labor

Advancement To:

Kitting Lead / Senior Kitter
Materials Coordinator / Inventory Control Specialist
Production Supervisor / Logistics Supervisor

Lateral Moves:

Quality Inspector / Quality Technician
Shipping & Receiving Lead
Supply Chain Analyst (with additional training)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Accurately read and interpret Bills of Material (BOMs), pick lists, work orders and assembly instructions to assemble production or repair kits with the correct parts, quantities, and lot/serial traceability.
Locate, pick and stage components from inventory using RF scanners or paper pick lists, ensuring first-pass accuracy to meet production schedule and minimize line downtime.
Verify part numbers, lot codes and expiration dates where applicable; perform visual and dimensional inspections and reject or quarantine discrepant items according to SOPs.
Consolidate multiple components into properly labeled kits, apply barcodes and tags (UPC, QR, serialized labels), and record kit assembly in the Warehouse Management System (WMS) or ERP (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite).
Prepare and package kits for immediate use by production lines, Kanban replenishment points, or outbound shipping following packaging standards to prevent damage and ensure traceability.
Maintain consistent kit build rates and productivity metrics while meeting quality targets and adhering to takt time expectations in lean manufacturing environments.
Conduct cycle counts, support physical inventory audits, and reconcile kit components with WMS/ERP records to maintain inventory accuracy and report variances promptly.
Track and record serial numbers or lot codes to enable full product traceability; enter requisite data into traceability systems and support recall containment when instructed.
Document non-conforming parts, communicate shortages and discrepancies to Purchasing/Materials Planning, and initiate corrective action or expedited procurement when necessary.
Follow and enforce safety procedures, wear required PPE, handle hazardous or controlled materials per MSDS and company policy, and maintain a clean, organized kitting area to meet OSHA and GMP/ISO standards.
Operate basic material handling equipment (pallet jacks, hand trucks, order pickers, forklifts where certified) to move bulk components and completed kits safely and efficiently.
Maintain and update kit BOMs and pick lists when minor adjustments are authorized; escalate larger BOM changes to Production Planning or Engineering.
Use basic hand and power tools appropriately to assemble or secure components within kits (e.g., affix fasteners, wire ties, shrink-wrap) while following torque or fastening guidelines when provided.
Stage and deliver kits to production lines, stores, or staging areas on schedule; confirm receipt with production teams and adjust sequences based on real-time priorities.
Ensure packaging labels include correct part numbers, quantities, lot numbers and destination information; verify count accuracy before release to production or shipping.
Participate in daily production or material stand-ups to communicate kit readiness, shortages, or quality concerns and to coordinate demand-driven kitting priorities.
Maintain accurate kitting documentation such as traveler sheets, assembly checklists and completion records to support audits and continuous improvement initiatives.
Support returns processing by disassembling returned kits, inspecting components, and returning reusable parts to inventory or flagging for disposal/rework per policy.
Train and mentor new kitting personnel on best practices, SOPs, safety rules and the use of WMS/ERP tools to ensure consistent kit quality and throughput.
Implement and suggest process improvements to reduce errors, shorten kitting cycle time, improve ergonomics and optimize parts flow (e.g., kanban, point-of-use storage modifications).
Ensure compliance with internal quality systems and external regulatory requirements (GMP, ISO 9001, FDA where applicable) during kitting, labeling and documentation tasks.
Maintain records of consumables and kitting supplies; initiate reorder requests for labels, containers and packaging materials to avoid stockouts.
Perform basic troubleshooting of kit assembly issues (missing parts, incorrect components) and consult Engineering or Purchasing to resolve systemic problems.
Adhere to production schedules while balancing priorities for small build kits, emergency kits, and routine replenishment; escalate conflicts to supervisors for resolution.

Secondary Functions

Assist in root-cause investigations for recurring kit errors and participate in corrective and preventive action (CAPA) meetings.
Support continuous improvement projects (5S, Kaizen events) to increase kitting efficiency and workplace safety.
Cross-train across adjacent functions such as shipping/receiving, inventory control and light assembly to provide operational flexibility.
Provide input to materials planning and demand forecasting based on usage trends and observed shortages.
Prepare simple kit build instructions, photos or checklists to improve first-pass accuracy for seasonal or complex kits.
Help maintain equipment calibration records where kit assembly requires measurement tools or test fixtures.
Perform light maintenance and housekeeping of kitting stations and report equipment defects to maintenance or supervisors.
Assist quality with sample collection and documentation during incoming inspection or in-process audits.
Participate in scheduled safety and compliance training and retain certifications required for the role.
Support ad-hoc packaging or fulfillment tasks during peak demand or special shipping activities.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

BOM and Pick List Interpretation — ability to read and interpret Bills of Material, work orders and assembly instructions accurately.
Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) / ERP — hands-on experience with RF scanning, barcode scanning, data entry and transactions in systems such as SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, Fishbowl, Manhattan.
Barcode Labeling & Traceability — applying labels, printing barcodes/serials and recording lot/serial numbers to ensure full traceability.
Inventory Control & Cycle Counting — performing and reconciling cycle counts, supporting physical inventories and investigating variances.
Lean Manufacturing / Kanban / JIT — basic familiarity with lean concepts and kitting strategies to support smooth production flow.
Material Handling Equipment — operation of pallet jacks, hand trucks and, if certified, forklifts or order pickers.
Packaging & Shipping Preparation — knowledge of packaging best practices, securement, and preparing kits for safe transit or line use.
Quality Inspection Techniques — performing visual checks, dimensional verifications and adherence to acceptance criteria.
Basic Tool Use — hand tools, tape guns, label printers, and light assembly tools commonly used at kitting stations.
Regulatory & Safety Compliance — understanding of OSHA, GMP, ISO 9001 and company-specific SOPs that affect kitting and handling.
Microsoft Office / Data Entry — basic Excel and data entry skills to log kit builds, shortages and create simple reports.

Soft Skills

Meticulous attention to detail to prevent misses, mis-picks and upstream production delays.
Strong time management and ability to prioritize multiple kit builds against production schedules.
Clear verbal and written communication for coordinating with production, purchasing and quality teams.
Teamwork and collaborative mindset to work effectively with cross-functional stakeholders.
Problem-solving orientation to quickly identify root causes of kit discrepancies and recommend fixes.
Dependability and strong attendance record—kitting directly impacts production uptime.
Flexibility and adaptability to support changing priorities, rush orders and seasonal demand.
Continuous improvement mindset with willingness to participate in Kaizen and process improvement.
Integrity and accountability for accurate documentation and traceability.
Customer-service orientation toward internal customers (production/assembly teams).

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED.

Preferred Education:

Technical certificate, vocational training, or associate degree in manufacturing technology, logistics, or supply chain fundamentals.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Supply Chain Management
Manufacturing Technology / Industrial Maintenance
Logistics and Distribution
Quality Assurance / Engineering Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

0–4 years in kitting, assembly, warehouse operations, or material handling. (Hourly entry-level to mid-level.)

Preferred:

1–3 years of direct kitting or kit assembly experience in a manufacturing or production environment.
Experience with WMS/ERP systems, RF scanning and barcode/labeling operations.
Forklift certification or prior certified operation of material handling equipment is often preferred.