Torchora
Back to Home

order puller

title: Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Order Puller
salary: $ - $
categories: [Warehouse, Logistics, Fulfillment, Supply Chain]
description: A comprehensive overview of the key responsibilities, required technical skills and professional background for the role of a Order Puller.
Detailed, recruiter-style breakdown of the Order Puller role: responsibilities,

🎯 Role Definition

The Order Puller (also called Order Picker or Picker/Packer) is a frontline warehouse professional responsible for accurately selecting, staging, and preparing customer or production orders. This role requires proficiency with warehouse management systems (WMS), RF scanning devices, and safe material handling practices. The ideal candidate demonstrates high attention to detail, consistent productivity, and a strong safety mindset to support on-time order fulfillment in fast-paced distribution centers and fulfillment operations.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Warehouse Associate / General Laborer
  • Stock Clerk / Retail Stocker
  • Seasonal Warehouse Support

Advancement To:

  • Lead Order Puller / Lead Picker
  • Inventory Control Specialist
  • Shipping & Receiving Supervisor
  • Warehouse Supervisor / Operations Lead
  • Fulfillment Team Lead

Lateral Moves:

  • Picker / Packer
  • Shipping & Receiving Clerk
  • Quality Control Inspector
  • Replenishment Associate

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Accurately pick and stage customer or production orders using paper pick tickets and RF barcode scanners, ensuring 99%+ order accuracy by verifying SKU numbers, batch/lot information, and quantities before moving items to packing or staging areas.
  • Operate handheld RF scanners and mobile devices to receive pick assignments, update WMS in real time, confirm picks, and log discrepancies; maintain knowledge of the warehouse management system (e.g., WMS, SAP EWM, Oracle WMS, Manhattan).
  • Execute batch, zone, wave, and single-order picking methodologies as directed to meet daily throughput targets; balance speed with precision to maintain productivity and accuracy metrics.
  • Load and unload pallets, shelving, and totes using pallet jacks and manual handling techniques while following safe lifting guidelines to minimize damage and injury.
  • Prepare picked orders for packing and shipping by consolidating items, applying correct labeling, and staging orders in designated zones to meet carrier cutoffs and pick-up schedules.
  • Inspect product condition during picking and staging, identifying and quarantining damaged, expired, or non-conforming goods; complete exception reports and notify supervisors immediately.
  • Count, verify, and adjust inventory as part of daily cycle counts, replenishment tasks, and discrepancy resolution to maintain accurate stock records and minimize stockouts.
  • Replenish picking locations from bulk storage, restocking fast-moving SKUs and adjusting bin quantities in the WMS to maintain pick-line continuity and reduce downtime.
  • Adhere strictly to safety protocols, wearing required PPE and following lockout/tagout, hazard communication, and ergonomic best practices to create a safe work environment.
  • Participate in daily operational briefings and receive work assignments from supervisors, adjusting priorities in response to shifting order volume, high-priority orders, or system outages.
  • Identify inefficiencies in picking routes, slotting, or staging layouts and propose process improvements to increase throughput and reduce travel time across carts, lifts, or walk paths.
  • Assist with packing tasks as needed—sealing boxes, inserting documentation, applying postage, and verifying kit completeness—to support a seamless end-to-end order fulfillment process.
  • Handle returns processing and reverse logistics when required: inspect returned items, update RMA records, return items to stock or quarantine, and coordinate with quality or merchandising teams.
  • Maintain organized, clean, and obstruction-free pick and staging areas by disposing of packaging materials, recycling, and performing light housekeeping during and between shifts.
  • Operate material handling equipment, such as sit-down forklifts, reach trucks, or order pickers, only if properly certified; perform pre-shift inspections and document any equipment defects.
  • Execute special projects such as packing bulk shipments, kitting multi-part orders, and supporting seasonal or promotional surges with flexible shift coverage and overtime when necessary.
  • Complete and file required documentation: pick lists, discrepancy forms, damage reports, and daily checklists to support audit readiness and traceability.
  • Meet and exceed daily and weekly KPIs set by the distribution center: picks per hour, order cycle time, accuracy rate, on-time fulfillment, and shrinkage targets.
  • Communicate effectively with packers, shipping staff, inventory control, and supervisors about order exceptions, inventory shortages, damaged goods, and schedule changes.
  • Follow product handling requirements for temperature-sensitive, hazardous, or fragile items by applying appropriate containment, labeling, and handling procedures in compliance with company and regulatory standards.
  • Support cross-dock operations when required—receive incoming manifests, stage cross-dock loads, and ensure outbound trucks are loaded in sequence and on schedule.
  • Participate in peak season planning and execution, including rapid onboarding of temporary staff, training assistance, and temporarily leading small teams to maintain throughput.

Secondary Functions

  • Support cycle counts, quarterly physical inventories, and root-cause investigations for persistent inventory variances; assist in reconciling WMS records to physical stock.
  • Assist the shipping and receiving teams by breaking down pallets, staging incoming goods for put-away, and tagging received merchandise for QC inspection.
  • Help maintain and improve slotting and pick path efficiency by providing frontline feedback on SKU velocity and accessibility.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives (5S, Kaizen events) by suggesting workspace layout changes, labeling improvements, and process standardization.
  • Provide on-the-floor mentoring and informal training to new order pullers and seasonal employees on picking standards, safety procedures, and WMS usage.
  • Perform light equipment maintenance and daily safety checks, including pallet jack service, battery checks for electric equipment, and reporting damaged racking or obstacles to facilities.
  • Support returns, reclamation, and sorting operations during quiet periods to accelerate put-away and clear blocked inventory.
  • Coordinate with quality control to flag lot or batch issues, assist with product quarantining, and maintain proper segregation of non-conforming stock.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proficiency with warehouse management systems (WMS) and RF scanning devices; experience with systems such as Manhattan, Oracle WMS, SAP EWM, or Blue Yonder preferred.
  • Hands-on experience with order picking strategies: batch picking, zone picking, wave picking, and single-order picking.
  • Certified operation and safe usage of material handling equipment: pallet jacks, electric pallet jacks (EPJ), reach trucks, order pickers, and sit-down forklifts (certification preferred).
  • Strong inventory control skills: cycle counting, stock reconciliation, lot/batch tracking, and recording discrepancies in the WMS.
  • Barcode scanning and label application proficiency; familiarity with GS1 standards and SKU/UPC validation.
  • Basic computer literacy: entering data into spreadsheets, reading digital pick tickets, and using handheld devices to update order status.
  • Knowledge of shipping documentation: packing lists, BOLs, invoices, RMA paperwork, and carrier label requirements.
  • Ability to read and interpret pick tickets, packing instructions, and product specifications (weights, dimensions, storage requirements).
  • Understanding of product handling requirements for perishable, fragile, hazardous, and temperature-controlled items and applicable compliance rules.
  • Physical stamina and ergonomics: safe lifting techniques, ability to lift 50+ lbs repeatedly, climb stairs or ladders, and perform repetitive motion tasks for an extended shift.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional attention to detail and focus on order accuracy and quality control.
  • Strong time management and organizational skills to prioritize high-volume orders and meet deadlines.
  • Effective verbal communication to coordinate with teammates, supervisors, and cross-functional partners.
  • Dependability and punctuality with a track record of consistent attendance and shift adherence.
  • Team-oriented with a collaborative mindset and willingness to support peers during peak demand.
  • Problem-solving aptitude to escalate order exceptions, identify root causes, and implement practical fixes.
  • Adaptability to changing priorities, fluctuating order volumes, and evolving operational processes.
  • Customer-focused attitude—understanding that picking accuracy directly impacts customer satisfaction and retention.
  • Safety-first mentality that models compliance with OSHA and company safety rules.
  • Initiative to suggest operational improvements and participate in continuous improvement activities.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED (or equivalent practical experience in warehouse operations).

Preferred Education:

  • Technical certificate in logistics, supply chain, or material handling; vocational training in warehouse operations.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Logistics and Supply Chain Management
  • Industrial Technology / Warehouse Operations
  • Occupational Safety and Health

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 0–3 years in a warehouse, distribution, or fulfillment environment; entry-level candidates with warehouse experience strongly considered.

Preferred:

  • 1–3 years of order picking or warehouse experience with demonstrated accuracy metrics, WMS proficiency, and at least basic powered-equipment certification (e.g., forklift).

If you need this tailored to a specific industry (food distribution, e-commerce fulfillment, cold chain, or manufacturing), I can customize responsibilities and required certifications for that context.

Explore More Careers