Torchora
Back to Home

Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Order Fulfillment Associate

💰 $30,000 - $48,000

OperationsWarehouseLogisticsE-commerceFulfillment

🎯 Role Definition

The Order Fulfillment Associate is responsible for accurately picking, packing, staging, and shipping customer orders while maintaining inventory accuracy, meeting productivity and quality KPIs, and ensuring workplace safety. This role requires proficiency with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), barcode/RF scanning, carrier documentation, and standardized packing procedures to deliver a frictionless fulfillment experience for B2C and B2B customers.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Warehouse Associate / Picker-Packer
  • Retail Stock Associate
  • Manufacturing Line Worker

Advancement To:

  • Senior Fulfillment Associate
  • Lead / Team Lead, Fulfillment
  • Inventory Control Specialist
  • Shipping & Receiving Coordinator
  • Fulfillment Supervisor / Warehouse Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Quality Assurance Inspector
  • Returns / Reverse Logistics Specialist
  • Data Analyst (operations-focused)
  • Customer Service (fulfillment support)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Accurately pick customer orders using a Warehouse Management System (WMS) and RF/barcode scanners, ensuring SKU, quantity, and lot/serial number accuracy before packing.
  • Pack orders to company packing standards to protect products during transport, optimize dimensional weight, and minimize damage and returns.
  • Stage and prepare pallets and packages for carrier pickup, including labeling, manifesting, and verifying carrier service levels (e.g., ground, two-day, overnight).
  • Perform shipping transactions in carrier portals or integrated WMS (FedEx, UPS, USPS, DHL), generate shipping labels and documentation, and ensure timely pickup scheduling.
  • Execute efficient put-away and replenishment processes, relocating received inventory to appropriate pick locations and maintaining accurate bin/location records.
  • Conduct routine cycle counts and physical inventory audits to reconcile discrepancies between WMS and physical inventory, documenting variances and supporting root-cause analysis.
  • Receive inbound shipments, verify bill of lading and packing lists, inspect inbound product condition, and process receipts into the WMS to update on-hand inventory.
  • Process returns (RMA) and restock or quarantine items per returns policy, documenting disposition and updating inventory status in the WMS.
  • Maintain high picking accuracy and productivity metrics (e.g., lines per hour, units per hour), proactively identifying and addressing barriers to KPI achievement.
  • Apply FIFO/LIFO/FEFO inventory rotation rules and lot control procedures for perishable or serialized items to reduce obsolescence and spoilage.
  • Operate warehouse equipment (e.g., pallet jack, electric pallet truck, order picker); follow lockout/tagout and safe equipment operation standards; escalate for forklift operation as required (certification preferred).
  • Inspect packaged orders for quality control issues, missing items, or damaged goods; coordinate with Quality Assurance and Customer Service for corrective actions.
  • Prepare and maintain accurate shipping and customs paperwork for international shipments where applicable, ensuring compliance with export/import regulations.
  • Collaborate with carriers and 3PL partners to resolve transit exceptions, lost shipments, or carrier billing issues in coordination with logistics and customer service teams.
  • Participate in continuous improvement initiatives (Kaizen) to optimize pick routes, packing methods, packing materials, cartonization, and warehouse layout to reduce costs and improve throughput.
  • Follow and enforce OSHA, company safety policies, and PPE requirements to maintain a safe working environment and reduce accidents and incidents.
  • Assist with kitting and light assembly tasks for value-added services, ensuring kit completeness and accurate SKU mapping in the WMS.
  • Monitor and report inventory discrepancies, damaged goods, and process exceptions; complete incident reports and escalate major issues to supervisors.
  • Maintain organized, clean, and labeled work zones; manage packing material inventory and order replenishments to avoid fulfillment interruptions.
  • Support peak season and promotional surge operations, including overtime, flexible shifts, and rapid cross-training on adjacent fulfillment tasks.
  • Use basic computer skills to update order statuses, log exceptions, and communicate with internal stakeholders (customer service, purchasing, logistics) about order issues.
  • Adhere to security procedures for high-value or restricted items, including required sign-offs and dual-control handling when necessary.

Secondary Functions

  • Train new hires and temporary staff on picking, packing, WMS use, safety practices, and company standard operating procedures (SOPs).
  • Support ad-hoc reporting requests and operational metrics collection (e.g., daily shipping volume, pick accuracy rates) to inform supervisors and continuous improvement teams.
  • Participate in process mapping and root-cause analysis for recurring fulfillment issues, contributing practical frontline suggestions for system and process improvements.
  • Assist with equipment inspections, preventive maintenance scheduling, and coordination with facilities or maintenance teams to reduce downtime.
  • Collaborate with customer service to investigate and resolve order exceptions such as backorders, split shipments, or product substitutions.
  • Help implement and test WMS configuration changes, label formats, or carrier integrations during system upgrades or pilot programs.
  • Support cross-functional projects such as seasonal layout changes, inventory relocations, and new product onboarding by providing operational insights and execution.
  • Participate in safety and compliance audits, and support corrective action implementation to close findings.
  • Assist with packing materials cost-control initiatives by testing and validating new materials and right-sizing strategies.
  • Provide coverage for related warehouse functions (e.g., receiving or returns processing) during scheduled absences or peak volumes.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proficient use of Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) such as NetSuite WMS, Manhattan, Oracle WMS, or Fishbowl for pick/pack/ship operations.
  • RF handheld scanner operation and barcode scanning best practices for fast, error-free order fulfillment.
  • Strong knowledge of pick-and-pack methods: single order picking, batch picking, zone picking, and wave picking strategies.
  • Shipping systems and carrier integration experience (FedEx, UPS WorldShip, USPS Click-N-Ship, DHL) including label generation and manifests.
  • Inventory control techniques: cycle counting, reconciliation, variance investigation, FIFO/FEFO/LIFO implementation.
  • Experience with returns processing (RMA), disposition workflow, and reverse logistics.
  • Familiarity with dimensional weight calculation, cartonization, and packing material optimization to minimize shipping costs.
  • Basic proficiency with Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUP, filters, pivot tables) and order tracking tools for reporting and troubleshooting.
  • Knowledge of EDI order formats and basic ability to read order confirmations, invoices, and advance shipping notices (ASNs).
  • Experience operating warehouse equipment: pallet jacks, electric pallet trucks; forklift certification is a plus.
  • Understanding of safety and compliance standards (OSHA, DOT packaging requirements) and ability to follow SOPs.
  • Ability to read SKU labels, bill of lading, packing slips, and carrier docs to confirm shipments and aids in dispute resolution.
  • Familiarity with ERP integrations and the role of fulfillment in the broader supply chain (order-to-cash cycle).
  • Basic troubleshooting of packing and labeling issues, including printer and scanner connectivity problems.
  • Knowledge of quality control checks and inspection methods to reduce shipping errors and product damage.

Soft Skills

  • Strong attention to detail to maintain high picking and packing accuracy.
  • Excellent time management and ability to prioritize under high-volume conditions.
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills for coordination with carriers, supervisors, and internal teams.
  • Team player mentality with willingness to cross-train and help adjacent functions during surges.
  • Problem-solving mindset to identify root causes of fulfillment exceptions and propose corrective actions.
  • Dependability and punctuality; ability to thrive in shift-based and deadline-driven environments.
  • Adaptability to fast-changing priorities, seasonal fluctuations, and updated SOPs.
  • Customer-centric orientation with a focus on on-time, damage-free order delivery.
  • Initiative and continuous improvement mindset, contributing ideas to increase throughput and reduce costs.
  • Physical stamina and ergonomic awareness for repetitive lifting, standing, and walking in a warehouse setting.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate degree or technical certificate in Logistics, Supply Chain, or Operations Management.
  • Forklift certification or safety training certificates preferred.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Supply Chain Management
  • Logistics and Transportation
  • Business Administration
  • Industrial Technology
  • Operations Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 0–3 years (entry-level) to 1–4 years (preferred) in warehouse, fulfillment center, or retail distribution environments.

Preferred:

  • 1–3 years of direct order fulfillment experience, including WMS use, shipping/receiving, and inventory control.
  • Experience in e-commerce or high-volume retail fulfillment, familiarity with peak season operations and surge staffing.
  • Prior experience working with third-party logistics providers (3PL) or multi-site fulfillment preferred.
Explore More Careers