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warehouse order picker

title: Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Warehouse Order Picker
salary: $13 - $22 / hour
categories: [Logistics, Warehouse, Fulfillment, Supply Chain, Operations]
description: A comprehensive overview of the key responsibilities, required technical skills and professional background for the role of a Warehouse Order Picker.
Experienced and reliable Warehouse Order Picker responsible for accurate and timely picking, packing, and staging of customer orders in fast-paced distribution and fulfillment environments. Ideal candidate demonstrates strong attention to detail, safety-first mindset, experience with RF scanners/WMS, and the physical stamina to handle repetitive lifting and sustained productivity. Keywords: warehouse order picker, picker packer, order fulfillment, WMS, RF scanner, inventory control, picking accuracy.

🎯 Role Definition

The Warehouse Order Picker is an operational specialist focused on executing order fulfillment tasks with high accuracy and speed. This role is responsible for picking items from inventory based on sales orders and work tickets, verifying quantities and labels, packing orders according to company standards, and preparing shipments for staging or carrier pickup. The ideal candidate contributes to meeting daily throughput goals, reducing shipping errors, and supporting a safe, organized warehouse environment.

Primary SEO keywords: warehouse order picker, order picker, picker/packer, fulfillment associate, warehouse associate, picking accuracy, inventory management, WMS, RF handheld.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Warehouse Associate / General Laborer
  • Receiving or Shipping Clerk
  • Temp/Seasonal Warehouse Worker

Advancement To:

  • Lead Order Picker / Team Lead
  • Inventory Control Specialist
  • Forklift Operator / Certified Equipment Operator
  • Shipping & Receiving Supervisor
  • Warehouse Supervisor / Operations Supervisor
  • Logistics Coordinator / Fulfillment Coordinator

Lateral Moves:

  • Quality Control Inspector
  • Packing Specialist
  • Material Handler
  • Returns & Reverse Logistics Associate

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Accurately pick and prepare customer orders using RF handheld scanners and a Warehouse Management System (WMS), ensuring each order meets SKU, quantity, and packing specifications to maintain a minimum picking accuracy target (e.g., 98–99%).
  • Execute high-volume order picking on both batch and single-order workflows, consistently meeting or exceeding daily productivity targets measured in units-per-hour, lines-per-hour, or cases-per-hour.
  • Verify product descriptions, lot numbers, serial numbers, and expiration dates when required, preventing shipping errors and ensuring compliance with quality and regulatory standards.
  • Pack orders according to company packing guidelines including appropriate cushioning, secure sealing, weight distribution, and labeling to minimize damage and returns during transit.
  • Stage and palletize pick orders for carrier pickup, building pallets to company and carrier specifications while ensuring accurate pallet labels, manifests, and packing lists are attached.
  • Operate pallet jacks, hand trucks, and, if certified, forklifts and order pickers safely and efficiently to move product between storage, picking, packing, and staging areas.
  • Cycle count and reconcile inventory discrepancies in coordination with inventory control, promptly documenting issues in the WMS and escalating variances for investigation and correction.
  • Perform quality checks on incoming and outgoing inventory, identifying damaged or defective product and following established procedures for quarantining and reporting.
  • Receive and unload inbound shipments when required, including sorting, inspecting for damage, and inputting receiving information into the WMS with accurate quantities and lot/batch details.
  • Maintain clear and accurate records of picked orders, packing slips, damaged items, and returns; ensure all documentation is completed and filed according to company protocols.
  • Follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for order selection methods (e.g., zone picking, wave picking, pick-to-light, voice picking) and adapt to dynamic workflows as needed.
  • Assist with replenishment activities by moving stock from bulk storage to pick locations to ensure pick faces are fully stocked and minimize picking delays.
  • Participate in daily huddles and shift-change briefings to review pick schedules, priority orders, safety topics, and productivity goals to align with team targets.
  • Report safety hazards, near misses, and incidents immediately to supervisors and participate in safety trainings, adhering to OSHA and company safety standards at all times.
  • Perform basic equipment checks and routine maintenance such as charging or replacing batteries for RF scanners, inspecting pallet jacks, and keeping equipment clean and serviceable.
  • Prepare and process customer returns and refused shipments following established return-to-stock or disposal procedures, ensuring accurate crediting and documentation.
  • Support seasonal demand surges by flexing between picking, packing, kitting, and shipping functions while maintaining accuracy and throughput.
  • Label and re-label products or cases as needed to ensure compliance with customer-specific packing and shipping requirements, including barcode and international shipping labels.
  • Collaborate with shipping carriers and logistics teams to coordinate special handling, LTL, or expedited shipments and provide required documentation for freight movements.
  • Execute basic kitting and light assembly tasks for build-to-order kits, ensuring included components are correct and packaged to order specifications.
  • Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area by removing debris, cardboard, and waste, and performing routine housekeeping tasks that support lean warehouse principles.
  • Cross-train on adjacent warehouse functions (receiving, returns, inventory, shipping) to provide operational flexibility and cover staffing gaps during peak periods.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist supervisors with daily KPI tracking, reporting pick rates, accuracy, and productivity metrics to support continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Help implement process improvements by providing frontline feedback on workflow bottlenecks, storage layouts, and picking route optimizations.
  • Participate in inventory audits, cycle counts, and reconciliation projects, including verifying on-hand quantities and identifying root causes for discrepancies.
  • Train new hires and temporary staff on picking procedures, equipment operation, safety policies, and quality expectations to accelerate ramp-up time.
  • Support ad-hoc tasks such as packing promotional inserts, applying tamper-evident seals, or assembling special customer orders and kits.
  • Contribute to the warehouse’s 5S and lean improvement activities by recommending and implementing organizational changes to reduce waste and improve efficiency.
  • Assist with data entry tasks in the WMS for exceptions, damaged goods, or special handling instructions to ensure accurate transaction history.
  • Coordinate with customer service and order management teams on order exceptions, backorders, and priority shipments to meet service-level agreements.
  • Participate in emergency response and evacuation drills, and assist in first aid response when required per company policy.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proficiency with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) such as Manhattan, SAP EWM, Oracle WMS, Blue Yonder (JDA), or similar platforms.
  • Experience using RF handheld scanners, barcode readers, pick-to-light or voice-picking systems for accurate order selection.
  • Certified or experienced in safe operation of pallet jacks, walkie stackers, and order pickers; forklift certification (e.g., OSHA) preferred where applicable.
  • Strong inventory control skills including cycle counting, inventory reconciliation, and handling lot/batch/expiration-date-controlled stock.
  • Knowledge of packing and labeling standards, carrier requirements (UPS, FedEx, LTL), and manifesting processes.
  • Basic physical capability for repetitive lifting, bending, and carrying of items up to typical limits (e.g., 50 lbs), and safe manual handling techniques.
  • Familiarity with shipping documentation, packing slips, bills of lading, and returns processing flows.
  • Ability to read and interpret SKU/location labels, pick tickets, and work orders accurately.
  • Basic computer skills: data entry, email communication, and reading digital work instructions on mobile devices or terminals.
  • Experience working with KPIs and productivity metrics: units per hour, picks per hour, on-time shipping, and order accuracy rates.

Soft Skills

  • Strong attention to detail and a commitment to achieving high picking accuracy and quality standards.
  • Excellent time management skills and ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced fulfillment environment.
  • Reliable teamwork and communication skills to coordinate with supervisors, shipping, receiving, and inventory teams.
  • Problem-solving mindset to identify and escalate discrepancies, damaged product, or process inefficiencies.
  • Adaptability to changing order profiles, peak-season surges, and evolving operational processes.
  • Dependable attendance and punctuality with a professional, safety-first attitude.
  • Ability to follow written and verbal instructions precisely and maintain focus during repetitive tasks.
  • Physical stamina and resilience for sustained periods of standing, walking, and lifting.
  • Customer service orientation with an understanding of how picking accuracy impacts customer satisfaction and returns.
  • Initiative to recommend improvements and willingness to participate in cross-functional training.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or equivalent (GED) preferred.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate degree or certificate in Supply Chain, Logistics, or Operations Management is a plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Supply Chain Management
  • Logistics and Distribution
  • Industrial Technology
  • Operations Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 0–3 years of warehouse or fulfillment experience (entry-level to mid-level).

Preferred:

  • 1–2+ years of experience as an order picker, picker/packer, or warehouse associate in a distribution center.
  • Demonstrated experience with RF scanning/WMS, packing standards, and meeting performance KPIs.
  • Forklift certification and prior experience operating powered industrial trucks is highly desirable.
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