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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Order Packer

💰 $28,000 - $40,000

WarehouseLogisticsFulfillmentOperationsSupply Chain

🎯 Role Definition

An Order Packer is a front-line warehouse professional responsible for accurately picking, packing, preparing, and staging customer orders for shipping or delivery. This role ensures order accuracy, product protection, and timely dispatch by following packing standards, using warehouse management systems (WMS) and RF scanners, and partnering with shipping and quality teams. The ideal candidate demonstrates strong attention to detail, physical stamina, familiarity with packing materials and shipping documentation, and a commitment to workplace safety and on-time order fulfillment.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Retail Stock Associate
  • Production Line Worker
  • Seasonal Warehouse Worker

Advancement To:

  • Senior Order Packer / Lead Packer
  • Shipping & Receiving Specialist
  • Inventory Control Specialist
  • Warehouse Team Lead / Supervisor
  • Fulfillment Center Technician

Lateral Moves:

  • Picker / Selector
  • Quality Assurance Inspector (Fulfillment)
  • Returns Processing Specialist
  • Material Handler

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Accurately pick items from assigned warehouse locations using pick lists, handheld RF scanners, or WMS directives and confirm quantities and SKUs before proceeding to packing.
  • Pack customer orders to company specifications using appropriate packing materials (boxes, bubble wrap, air pillows, tape) to protect products from damage during transit while minimizing material costs.
  • Verify product condition and SKU accuracy at packing stage, remove damaged items from the order, and escalate quality discrepancies to the supervisor or quality control team.
  • Weigh and measure packed cartons, apply correct postage or freight labels, and ensure that dimensional and weight data are recorded in the WMS or shipping system to avoid carrier chargebacks.
  • Prepare packing slips, invoices, and any required customs or hazardous materials documentation and include them in or affix them to the shipment in accordance with company and carrier policies.
  • Stage and palletize cartons for carrier pickup, ensuring pallet stability, correct orientation of fragile items, and compliance with load height and weight requirements.
  • Operate pallet jacks, hand trucks, and other manual handling equipment safely to move packed orders to staging or shipping areas while adhering to lift and safety procedures.
  • Load and unload outbound trucks and trailers when necessary, securing loads and documenting carrier condition and seal numbers to maintain chain-of-custody and carrier accountability.
  • Perform in-line quality checks on randomly selected orders to validate packing accuracy, label legibility, and item condition prior to dispatch.
  • Cycle count SKUs in assigned zones at scheduled intervals, report inventory discrepancies, and assist the inventory team in reconciling variances to minimize stockouts and overages.
  • Utilize warehouse management systems (WMS), order management systems, and handheld RF devices to record pack completion, update order statuses, and communicate exceptions in real time.
  • Communicate with pickers, supervisors, and shipping carriers to coordinate cut-off times, expedite urgent orders, and resolve shipping exceptions to meet SLA commitments.
  • Apply carrier-specific packaging and labeling standards (e.g., UPS, FedEx, LTL carriers) to ensure compliance with service level agreements and to avoid misrouted or refused shipments.
  • Break down incoming packing material shipments, organize consumables, and maintain a first-in-first-out (FIFO) system for packaging supplies to reduce waste and interruptions to packing operations.
  • Document and report any product returns, missing parts, or order errors encountered during packing, and initiate return merchandise authorization (RMA) procedures where required.
  • Maintain accurate time and production logs where required by management, meet pack rate targets, and participate in continuous improvement activities to increase throughput and reduce errors.
  • Support seasonal demand peaks and surge schedules by working flexible shifts, overtime, or temporary reassignments to different packing lanes or product lines as business needs dictate.
  • Follow all OSHA, DOT, and company safety policies, wear required PPE, and participate in routine safety audits and toolbox talks to maintain a safe working environment.
  • Train and mentor new packers on packing standards, equipment use, and packing accuracy best practices; provide feedback to management on training gaps and improvement opportunities.
  • Conduct end-of-shift housekeeping in packing and staging areas, including sweeping, recycling corrugated, disposing of packing waste, and ensuring aisles and emergency exits are unobstructed.
  • Support returns processing by inspecting returned items, restocking sellable inventory, and preparing non-sellable items for disposition or return to vendor according to company procedures.
  • Execute special packaging requests such as gift wrapping, kitting, bundle assembly, or insertion of promotional materials while maintaining order accuracy and presentation standards.
  • Monitor and report on packing material usage and shrinkage trends to help purchasing and operations teams optimize packaging spend and sustainability initiatives.
  • Participate in root-cause investigations for recurring packing errors and contribute to corrective action plans that reduce customer complaints and improve fulfillment KPIs.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist with cycle counts, periodic inventory audits, and reconciliation efforts to support accurate stock records.
  • Help set up and maintain packing stations, including replenishing consumables and ensuring functioning tools (tape dispensers, scales, label printers).
  • Provide cross-training to other warehouse functions (receiving, returns, kitting) to increase operational flexibility and coverage.
  • Support ad-hoc projects such as test packing for new products, implementing new packing standards, or pilot programs for alternate carriers.
  • Participate in shift handovers by documenting open issues, in-progress exceptions, and high-priority orders for the incoming shift.
  • Assist supervisors with daily reporting of pack rates, error rates, and throughput metrics when requested.
  • Help maintain compliance documentation for carrier audits and periodic inspections.
  • Participate in health and safety initiatives such as ergonomic assessments and injury prevention campaigns.
  • Prepare and maintain simple logs for packaging material counts, damaged goods, and special handling requests.
  • Actively contribute ideas in process improvement meetings aimed at reducing packing time and improving order accuracy.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proficient use of Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and experience recording picks and pack confirmations in a live system.
  • Comfortable operating handheld RF scanners and barcode readers for order verification and cycle counting.
  • Strong knowledge of packing materials, cushioning methods, box selection, and right-sizing to protect goods and minimize shipping costs.
  • Ability to accurately weigh and measure packages and input dimensional data into shipping systems to calculate freight properly.
  • Familiarity with carrier label standards, shipping documentation, BOLs (bill of lading), and basic LTL shipping practices.
  • Experience operating manual material handling equipment: pallet jack, hand truck, and experience with powered equipment (lift or forklift) where certified.
  • Basic computer literacy: navigating order management or ERP screens, scanning attachments, and using email for internal communications.
  • Ability to follow standard operating procedures (SOPs), packing checklists, and quality control forms with high consistency.
  • Knowledge of inventory control practices: FIFO, lot codes, serial numbers, and basic cycle counting procedures.
  • Competence in basic arithmetic for quantity checks, box configuration, and simple pallet count math.
  • Experience with kitting, bundling, or special assembly operations for promotional or bundled orders.
  • Understanding of hazardous materials (HAZMAT) packing and labeling requirements if applicable to product lines.

Soft Skills

  • Excellent attention to detail and a commitment to achieving near-perfect order accuracy.
  • Strong time management and ability to prioritize high-volume packing tasks under tight deadlines.
  • Clear communication skills for collaborating with pickers, supervisors, and carriers about exceptions and priorities.
  • Team-oriented mindset and willingness to cross-train and support colleagues in peak periods.
  • Reliability and punctuality with a strong attendance record and flexibility for shift schedules.
  • Physical stamina and dexterity to handle repetitive motions, lifting, and standing for extended periods.
  • Problem-solving orientation to identify root causes of packing errors and propose practical fixes.
  • Adaptability to changing order profiles, new packaging materials, and updated SOPs.
  • Commitment to workplace safety and adherence to PPE and safe lifting techniques.
  • Customer-focused attitude to understand the downstream impact of packing accuracy on customer satisfaction.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or equivalent (GED) preferred.

Preferred Education:

  • High school diploma plus vocational or certificate training in logistics, warehousing, or supply chain fundamentals.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Logistics and Supply Chain Management
  • Operations Management
  • Industrial Technology
  • Business or Commerce (applied to fulfillment/retail operations)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 0 to 3 years of warehouse or fulfillment experience; many employers accept entry-level candidates with on-the-job training.

Preferred:

  • 1+ years of direct packing, shipping, or fulfillment center experience.
  • Prior exposure to WMS, RF scanning, and carrier shipping operations.
  • Forklift certification or experience operating powered industrial trucks is a plus.
  • Experience in high-volume e-commerce, retail distribution, or third-party logistics (3PL) environments preferred.
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