Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Selector

🎯 Role Definition

The Selector is responsible for locating, selecting, and staging products to fulfill customer orders while maintaining high levels of productivity, accuracy, and safety. Selectors use RF handheld scanners and warehouse management systems (WMS) to execute pick lists, perform cycle counts, and prepare pallets and packages for shipping. This role reports to a Lead Selector, Shipping Supervisor, or Warehouse Manager and is critical to on-time delivery, inventory integrity, and overall supply chain performance.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Warehouse Associate / Material Handler
Dock Worker / Shipping & Receiving Clerk
Seasonal Order Picker

Advancement To:

Lead Selector / Lead Order Picker
Inventory Control Specialist
Shipping & Receiving Supervisor
Warehouse Supervisor or Operations Team Lead

Lateral Moves:

Quality Control Inspector (incoming/outgoing)
Forklift Operator / Reach Truck Operator
Returns Processing Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Accurately pick customer orders from assigned zones using RF scanners or paper pick sheets, ensuring line-item and quantity accuracy to meet daily productivity and accuracy KPIs.
Stage picked orders on pallets or carts in designated staging areas, following packing and shipping instructions and ensuring proper order consolidation for shipment.
Scan each item at time of pick using the warehouse management system (WMS) to update inventory records in real time and maintain cycle count accuracy.
Inspect product conditions during selection and report damaged, expired, or nonconforming items to the supervisor for disposition according to company procedures.
Prepare orders for shipment by labeling, shrink-wrapping, palletizing, and applying correct shipping documentation (packing lists, manifests, BOLs) per carrier and customer requirements.
Operate powered industrial trucks (PIT), pallet jacks, or lift equipment safely and efficiently in accordance with company and OSHA regulations; maintain valid certifications where required.
Complete daily picking quotas while maintaining accuracy standards; proactively communicate if quotas are at risk due to inventory issues or system errors.
Execute cycle counts and assist with physical inventory audits to reconcile WMS records with physical stock, researching and documenting discrepancies.
Follow FIFO/LIFO inventory rotation and temperature-controlled storage protocols for perishable or regulated goods; ensure correct storage locations are used.
Assist in inbound receiving as needed: verify receipts, put-away items to designated locations, and ensure proper labeling for inventory traceability.
Maintain clean and safe work areas; remove waste, clear aisles, and report potential hazards or equipment malfunctions immediately.
Participate in cross-functional continuous improvement initiatives (5S, Kaizen) to optimize picking routes, reduce travel time, and increase throughput.
Escalate out-of-stock, incorrect SKU, or system issues to inventory control or supervisors and document exceptions in accordance with SOPs.
Train and mentor new Selectors on picking procedures, WMS usage, PPE requirements, and safe equipment operation to accelerate onboarding and reduce error rates.
Support rush orders and priority shipments by reorganizing workloads and staging resources to meet critical customer deadlines.
Verify lot numbers, serial numbers, and expiration dates for regulated, serialized, or batch-controlled products to ensure regulatory compliance and traceability.
Coordinate with packing, shipping, and quality teams to resolve blocked orders, unclear instructions, or customer-specific packing requirements.
Log daily production metrics, downtime incidents, and productivity exceptions in the WMS or performance tracking tools to support operational reporting.
Adhere to company security procedures for controlled products and access-controlled areas; follow sign-in/sign-out and chain-of-custody protocols when required.
Use handheld devices and mobile computers to receive task assignments, confirm picks, and communicate updates; report device issues promptly for IT escalation.
Support multi-channel fulfillment operations (B2B, B2C, e-commerce) by adjusting picking methods (piece pick, batch pick, wave pick) to the operational model.
Assist with returns processing (RMA) by inspecting returned items and routing them to appropriate locations (rework, restock, scrap).
Ensure compliance with environmental, health and safety policies including correct use of PPE, safe lifting techniques, and emergency evacuation procedures.
Perform additional duties as assigned by supervisors to support peak seasons, special projects, or temporary process changes.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis.
Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap.
Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into engineering requirements.
Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data engineering team.
Assist in documenting standard operating procedures (SOPs) for new workflows and seasonal processes to improve consistency.
Provide feedback to operations management on process bottlenecks and suggest practical changes to reduce errors and improve lead times.
Support cross-training initiatives to build flexible workforce capability across picking, receiving, and packing areas.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficient with RF handheld scanners and common Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) — e.g., Manhattan, Oracle WMS, SAP EWM, Blue Yonder.
Strong order picking techniques: piece pick, batch pick, zone pick, wave pick.
Experience operating pallet jacks, electric stackers, reach trucks, or forklifts with valid certification where required.
Basic inventory control skills: cycle counting, discrepancy reconciliation, lot/serial tracking.
Familiarity with shipping documentation: packing lists, bills of lading (BOL), manifests, carton dimensioning.
Barcode scanning and label verification expertise to ensure SKU and lot accuracy.
Basic data entry and familiarity with mobile computing devices and handheld terminals.
Working knowledge of warehouse safety standards (OSHA guidance), PPE use, and safe lifting ergonomics.
Ability to read and follow pick tickets, packing instructions, and customer-specific labeling requirements.
Temperature-sensitive product handling (cold storage/freezer) and compliance with storage protocols.
Experience with Lean warehouse principles (5S, Kaizen) and continuous improvement initiatives.
Familiarity with basic math for counting, weighing, and pallet configuration.

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail and commitment to high accuracy in fast-paced environments.
Good communication skills — able to report issues clearly to supervisors and work with cross-functional teammates.
Time management and ability to prioritize tasks to meet shipping cutoffs and service-level agreements (SLAs).
Problem-solving mindset and ability to escalate and document exceptions appropriately.
Team-oriented attitude, reliable attendance, and flexibility for shift work, weekends, and seasonal peaks.
Adaptability to changing processes and technology updates with a continuous learning approach.
Dependability and integrity when handling customer orders and controlled products.
Physical stamina and focus to perform repetitive tasks while maintaining quality and safety.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED (or equivalent experience in a warehouse/distribution environment).

Preferred Education:

Vocational certificate or technical training in logistics, supply chain, or warehouse operations.
Formal forklift or PIT certification where applicable.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Industrial Technology / Operations Management
Workforce Safety and Ergonomics

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0–3 years (entry-level to experienced) in a warehouse or distribution center role.

Preferred: 1–3+ years as an Order Selector, Picker, or Warehouse Associate with demonstrated experience using RF scanners/WMS, operating material handling equipment, and meeting productivity and accuracy KPIs.

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