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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Reworks Clerk

💰 $17 - $24 per hour

LogisticsSupply ChainManufacturingWarehouseQuality Control

🎯 Role Definition

As a Reworks Clerk, you are the guardian of our product quality and a crucial link in our supply chain's integrity. This isn't just about fixing things; it's about making things right. You'll be the hands-on expert responsible for inspecting, evaluating, and processing products that don't meet our initial quality standards or have been returned by customers. Your sharp eye for detail and methodical approach ensure that every item leaving our facility, whether for the first time or the second, meets the high-quality promise we make to our customers. This role is perfect for a meticulous and proactive individual who finds satisfaction in problem-solving and contributes directly to operational excellence and customer satisfaction.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Warehouse Associate
  • Production Line Operator
  • Picker / Packer

Advancement To:

  • Reworks Team Lead / Supervisor
  • Quality Control Inspector / Technician
  • Inventory Control Specialist

Lateral Moves:

  • Shipping and Receiving Clerk
  • Inventory Analyst

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Meticulously inspect, test, and diagnose returned or non-conforming products to accurately identify defects, damages, or discrepancies from quality standards.
  • Perform a wide range of hands-on rework and repair tasks, including cleaning, relabeling, repackaging, minor assembly, and component replacement, following detailed work instructions.
  • Diligently document all rework activities, including materials used, time spent, and the final disposition of each product, within our Warehouse Management System (WMS) or ERP.
  • Sort and segregate products based on their condition, determining whether they can be returned to stock, require further repair, or must be designated for scrap or recycling.
  • Skillfully utilize various hand tools, power tools, and testing equipment to complete rework tasks efficiently and safely.
  • Adhere strictly to established quality control procedures and specifications to ensure all reworked products meet or exceed company standards.
  • Manage and maintain the inventory of products within the rework area, ensuring accurate counts and organized storage to facilitate efficient processing.
  • Communicate effectively with supervisors and the Quality Assurance team to report on defect trends, recurring issues, and potential process improvements.
  • Uphold a clean, safe, and organized work environment by consistently applying 5S principles (Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain).
  • Carefully prepare and package finished reworked goods according to company standards for safe return to inventory or shipment.
  • Accurately verify part numbers, SKUs, and quantities against receiving documents, work orders, or return merchandise authorizations (RMAs).
  • Log and track the consumption of materials, parts, and supplies used in the rework process to ensure proper inventory management.
  • Safely operate material handling equipment, such as pallet jacks and hand trucks, to move products and materials to and from the rework station.
  • Collaborate with the Quality Assurance team to refine inspection criteria and provide real-world feedback on product failure modes.
  • Update the status of products within the inventory system in real-time to reflect their journey through the rework process (e.g., from 'quarantine' to 'available').
  • Proactively identify and physically segregate non-conforming parts and materials to prevent their accidental use in production or fulfillment.
  • Conduct functional testing on repaired or reworked electronics and mechanical assemblies to validate their performance against technical specifications.
  • Assist in generating daily or weekly reports detailing rework volume, scrap rates, common defects, and overall department productivity.
  • Follow all company safety protocols, including the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), to prevent accidents and injuries.
  • Coordinate with the shipping and receiving departments to ensure the smooth and timely movement of goods requiring rework or returning to finished inventory.

Secondary Functions

  • Support other departments with ad-hoc product inspection requests and provide quality checks as needed.
  • Actively contribute to continuous improvement initiatives by suggesting ways to reduce waste, prevent defects, and enhance rework efficiency.
  • Collaborate with production and assembly teams by providing direct feedback on common manufacturing defects to help improve upstream processes.
  • Participate actively in daily team huddles, planning meetings, and mandatory safety training sessions.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Warehouse Management System (WMS) / ERP Proficiency: Experience navigating and entering data accurately into systems like SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, or a similar platform.
  • Hand and Power Tool Competency: Confident and safe use of basic tools such as screwdrivers, wrenches, drills, and heat guns.
  • Technical Document Interpretation: Ability to read, understand, and follow standard operating procedures (SOPs), work instructions, and basic technical diagrams.
  • Accurate Data Entry: High level of precision and speed in typing and entering numerical and textual data into spreadsheets and databases.
  • Inventory Management Principles: Solid understanding of inventory tracking, cycle counting, and the importance of inventory accuracy.
  • Basic Computer Literacy: Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel for tracking and reporting) and email communication.
  • Material Handling Equipment Operation: Experience operating manual pallet jacks is required; forklift certification is a strong plus.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional Attention to Detail: A keen eye for identifying even minor flaws, discrepancies, and deviations from quality standards.
  • Systematic Problem-Solving: The ability to logically diagnose issues with a product and determine the most effective solution.
  • Clear & Concise Communication: Ability to clearly articulate issues, report findings, and collaborate with team members and supervisors, both verbally and in writing.
  • Autonomy and Initiative: Capable of working effectively and managing your own workload with minimal direct supervision.
  • Strong Organizational Skills: The ability to prioritize tasks, manage time effectively, and maintain a neat and orderly workspace in a fast-paced environment.
  • Collaborative Team Player: A positive attitude and willingness to work together with others to achieve common goals.
  • Adaptability and Flexibility: The capacity to adjust to shifting priorities, changing workflows, and new product types.
  • Commitment to Quality & Safety: A deep-seated dedication to upholding the highest standards of product quality and workplace safety.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate's degree or a technical/vocational certificate.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Logistics and Supply Chain Management
  • Manufacturing Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1-3 years of experience in a warehouse, manufacturing, or quality control role.

Preferred: Direct experience in a returns processing (reverse logistics), quality assurance, or dedicated product rework/repair environment is highly desirable.

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