Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Warehouse Pick and Pack

🎯 Role Definition

The Warehouse Pick and Pack role is responsible for accurate, efficient order fulfillment in a fast-paced warehouse or e-commerce environment. This position focuses on picking products to order, packing items to ship, staging and labeling pallets, and maintaining inventory accuracy and workplace safety. The ideal candidate consistently meets productivity and accuracy KPIs, uses Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and RF scanning devices, follows Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and contributes to continuous improvement in packing, shipping, and inventory processes.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Seasonal Warehouse Associate / Picker
Shipping & Receiving Clerk
Retail Stocking Associate

Advancement To:

Lead Picker / Lead Packer
Inventory Control Specialist
Warehouse Supervisor / Team Lead
Logistics Coordinator or Fulfillment Manager

Lateral Moves:

Forklift Operator / Powered Industrial Truck (PIT) Operator
Quality Control / Receiving Inspector
Returns (RMA) Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Execute high-volume order picking activities using RF handheld scanners or pick-to-light systems to achieve daily accuracy targets (typically 99%+ accuracy) and productivity goals while minimizing travel time and product damage.
Pack customer orders to company and carrier standards, selecting appropriate packing materials, size, cushioning and sealing methods to protect goods and reduce transit damage and returns.
Inspect picked items for quality, correct SKU, quantity, and product condition prior to packing; immediately flag and report defects or discrepancies to Inventory Control or Quality teams.
Label cartons and pallets with accurate shipping labels, barcodes and documentation (packing slips, BOLs, customs paperwork when applicable) and ensure labels meet carrier and international shipping standards.
Stage, palletize and wrap outbound orders safely and efficiently, optimizing pallet configurations for stability and carrier compliance while meeting on-time shipping windows.
Operate pallet jacks, hand trucks and forklifts (when certified) to move inventory between staging, packing and loading areas while following all safety procedures and OSHA guidelines.
Use Warehouse Management System (WMS) software to confirm picks, update inventory counts, record lot/batch numbers, and close orders; follow WMS-directed workflows for replenishment and putaway.
Perform cycle counts, spot checks and assist with full physical inventories to maintain stock accuracy; investigate variances, document findings and support reconciliation processes.
Receive, inspect and put away inbound shipments using proper receiving procedures: verify quantities against PO, identify damaged goods, and input receiving data into WMS.
Process returns and restocks (RMA) by inspecting returned items, updating inventory records, processing dispositions (return to stock / scrap / repair), and coordinating with Returns or Quality teams.
Meet or exceed daily and weekly KPIs such as picks per hour, lines per hour, orders per hour, order accuracy, on-time shipments, and outbound cubic utilization.
Pack to dimensional and weight standards to optimize carrier billing and reduce shipping costs; verify and record weights using floor scales and confirm dimensional data where required.
Prepare shipments for LTL or parcel carriers, coordinate carrier pickups, load/unload trailers during peak periods, and cooperate with freight teams to ensure accurate manifests.
Maintain a clean, organized packing and staging area by following 5S principles—sort, set in order, shine, standardize, sustain—to improve efficiency and safety.
Follow FIFO/FEFO stock rotation procedures to ensure proper product flow and expiration date management for perishable or serialized inventories.
Participate in safety briefings, complete required trainings (PPE, ergonomics, hazard communication), and proactively identify and report safety hazards or near-miss incidents to supervisors.
Support special project work such as kitting, bundling, custom packaging, promotional pack-outs, or assembly tasks during seasonal spikes or promotional surges.
Collaborate with shipping, receiving, inventory control and customer service teams to resolve order exceptions, escalate critical issues, and improve fulfillment workflows and customer satisfaction.
Document and escalate discrepancies such as missing SKUs, damaged goods, or system errors; create accurate incident reports and work with the Inventory or Quality team to resolve root causes.
Drive continuous improvement by suggesting process improvements, participating in Kaizen events, and testing new packing materials, layouts, or picking methods to increase throughput and reduce costs.
Support cross-docking or same-day fulfillment demands by prioritizing and sequencing orders per dispatch timelines, carrier cutoffs and customer SLAs.
Train and mentor new pick-and-pack associates on SOPs, safety practices, equipment use and productivity expectations; participate in performance coaching and onboarding activities.
Adhere to company policies regarding security, loss prevention and confidentiality of customer orders while maintaining professional conduct in a customer-focused environment.

Secondary Functions

Assist with ad-hoc inventory analysis and provide operational feedback to supervisors for WMS parameter adjustments and replenishment triggers.
Support cross-functional projects, including layout changes, slotting optimizations and seasonal capacity planning exercises.
Participate in continuous improvement and Lean initiatives to standardize pick paths, reduce touches, and increase packing efficiency.
Help maintain and troubleshoot basic packing and conveyor equipment; escalate mechanical issues to maintenance and document downtime impacts on throughput.
Provide input to replenishment and purchasing teams regarding low-stock, slow-moving and frequently picked SKUs to optimize inventory levels.
Assist customer service by providing pickup, staging and shipment status updates for time-sensitive orders and escalation cases.
Conduct basic quality inspections on packaging materials and suggest cost-saving material alternatives without compromising product protection.
Participate in safety audits and help implement corrective actions to maintain compliance with regulatory and company safety requirements.
Support inbound logistics by verifying deliveries, staging incoming pallets for immediate putaway and coordinating with receiving teams during peaks.
Maintain and update training materials and SOP checklists to reflect current best practices and system changes.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficient order picking and packing experience in a high-volume warehouse or e-commerce fulfillment environment.
Hands-on experience with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and RF barcode scanning devices for pick confirmation, receiving and cycle counting.
Operation of warehouse equipment including pallet jacks, electric pallet trucks, and powered industrial trucks (forklift) — forklift certification preferred.
Strong knowledge of shipping documentation and carrier processes: packing slips, bills of lading (BOL), carrier manifests, ASN and customs paperwork for international shipments.
Familiarity with parcel and LTL carrier rules, dimensional weight (DIM) calculations, and ability to optimize packing to minimize shipping costs.
Experience performing cycle counts, physical inventories and basic inventory reconciliation techniques to maintain stock accuracy.
Proficient in barcode labeling, thermal printer operation (e.g., Zebra), and SKU/lot/serial number tracking.
Ability to operate floor scales, calipers and measure package dimensions accurately and enter weight/dimension data into WMS or shipping platforms.
Basic Microsoft Office skills, especially Excel for simple data entry, lookup, and reporting of productivity and inventory metrics.
Experience with kitting, assembly, returns processing (RMA) and quality inspection workflows.
Knowledge of FIFO/FEFO inventory rotation and expiration date management where applicable.
Familiarity with 5S, Lean, or continuous improvement concepts as applied to warehouse operations.
Basic mechanical aptitude to troubleshoot minor packing machinery or conveyor issues and report maintenance needs.

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail with a demonstrated commitment to order accuracy and quality control.
Excellent time-management and organizational skills to prioritize orders and meet tight shipping cutoffs.
Reliable, punctual and able to maintain consistent attendance during assigned shifts, including overtime during peak seasons.
Clear verbal communication skills to coordinate with team members, supervisors and carriers.
Team-oriented with a collaborative mindset; able to work effectively in cross-functional warehouse teams.
Problem-solving orientation: able to identify root causes of picking/packing errors and propose corrective actions.
Adaptability and resilience in a fast-paced, changing fulfillment environment with fluctuating volumes.
Customer-focused attitude, understanding how on-time, accurate fulfillment drives customer satisfaction.
Safety-first mindset: consistently follows PPE, lockout/tagout and other safety protocols.
Coaching and mentoring capability to help train new hires and lead small teams in the packing area.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED, or equivalent work experience in warehouse operations.

Preferred Education:

Associate degree or certificate in logistics, supply chain, industrial technology, or related field.
Certification in forklift operation or logistics (e.g., OSHA, NCPT).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Industrial Technology or Operations Management
Business Administration (with focus on operations)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0–3 years in a warehouse or fulfillment center environment (entry-level to mid-level).

Preferred: 1–3+ years of pick-and-pack experience in an e-commerce, retail or distribution center; demonstrated use of WMS/RF scanning, pallet handling, and experience meeting defined KPIs. Forklift certification and prior experience with returns or kitting preferred.