Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Warehouse Production Technician

🎯 Role Definition

A Warehouse Production Technician is a hands-on operations professional responsible for executing production-related tasks in a warehouse or light manufacturing environment. This role focuses on accurate order fulfillment, material handling, machine/line support, quality checks, and maintaining safety and compliance standards. Successful candidates are detail oriented, safety-conscious, and skilled with warehouse technologies (RF scanners, WMS/ERP) and basic mechanical troubleshooting.

Key keywords: Warehouse Production Technician, production associate, warehouse technician, order fulfillment, inventory control, forklift operator, RF scanning, quality inspection, shipping & receiving, WMS, ERP, OSHA, GMP, lean manufacturing.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Material Handler / Warehouse Associate
Assembler / Production Line Worker
Shipping & Receiving Clerk

Advancement To:

Lead Warehouse Technician / Team Lead
Production Supervisor / Shift Supervisor
Inventory Control Specialist
Continuous Improvement / Process Engineer (entry-level)

Lateral Moves:

Forklift / Lift Truck Operator Specialist
Quality Inspector / QC Technician
Logistics Coordinator
Shipping & Receiving Supervisor

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Operate, monitor, and maintain production line equipment and light machinery to support warehouse manufacturing and packaging operations, performing basic adjustments and coordinating preventive maintenance with engineering.
Pick, pack, and stage production orders accurately using RF scanners and warehouse management systems (WMS/ERP), meeting daily productivity and accuracy targets while documenting exceptions.
Execute shipping and receiving operations including unloading/loading trucks, verifying bill of lading and packing lists, inspecting incoming shipments for damage or discrepancies, and entering received items into the WMS.
Perform cycle counts, physical inventories, and reconciliation of inventory discrepancies, escalating issues and preparing variance reports to maintain inventory accuracy above company SLA thresholds.
Perform in-process quality control inspections, document nonconformances, apply corrective labeling or rework instructions, and coordinate with quality assurance for root cause analysis.
Set up, changeover, and calibrate packaging and production equipment per standard operating procedures (SOPs), minimizing downtime and ensuring first-pass yield targets.
Load and unload raw materials and finished goods using powered industrial trucks (forklift, reach truck, pallet jack) in compliance with OSHA safety protocols and company certification requirements.
Package finished products to specification, including labeling, barcoding, palletization, and shrink-wrapping to ensure product integrity and compliance with customer requirements.
Follow and enforce safety, environmental, and housekeeping standards (5S), promptly reporting hazards, near-misses, or injuries and participating in safety audits and toolbox talks.
Monitor production metrics (cycle time, throughput, scrap rates), enter production data into the MES/WMS, and assist supervisors in meeting daily output and efficiency goals.
Perform basic mechanical troubleshooting and minor repairs on conveyors, labeling machines, weigh scales, and other line equipment; coordinate escalations to maintenance for complex repairs.
Compose and maintain accurate production logs, quality records, lot traceability documentation, and batch records to ensure compliance with internal policies and external regulations (GMP/HACCP when applicable).
Coordinate with procurement to ensure material availability, staging of production kits, and FIFO rotation to prevent stockouts and minimize expired or obsolete inventory.
Support lean manufacturing initiatives by suggesting process improvements, waste reduction ideas, and participating in kaizen events to increase throughput and reduce cost per unit.
Conduct prescribed sanitation and cleaning routines for production lines and equipment to comply with hygiene standards and product safety regulations.
Inspect and maintain packaging materials, labels, and shipping supplies inventory levels; place replenishment orders and validate supplier shipments against purchase orders.
Prepare and stage outbound shipments, verify carrier paperwork, apply correct shipping labels, coordinate liftgate or dock scheduling, and verify carrier pickups to meet cut-off times.
Train new hires and temporary staff on standard work, safety procedures, and use of warehouse technology; provide on-the-floor coaching to ensure consistent performance and compliance.
Ensure product traceability by accurately recording lot numbers, serial numbers, and production batch data and facilitating product holds or recalls when required.
Support cross-functional teams (quality, maintenance, logistics, customer service) to resolve production issues, customer returns, and expedite urgent orders with clear communication and follow-up.
Load and unload containers, break down pallets, and prepare material for kitting operations ensuring accurate counts and condition checks prior to assembly or production use.
Apply and verify safety guards and lockout/tagout procedures prior to performing equipment interventions or cleaning activities to protect personnel and maintain regulatory compliance.
Operate in high-volume, deadline-driven environments to meet seasonal spikes and customer SLAs, demonstrating flexibility to work varied shifts, overtime, and weekend schedules as required.

Secondary Functions

Assist with data collection for production performance dashboards and support ad-hoc reporting requests for operations and supply chain teams.
Participate in continuous improvement projects related to material flow, warehouse layout optimization, and reduction of touch points to improve throughput.
Support new product introductions by assisting with first-article inspections, run trials, and documenting lessons learned for SOP updates.
Help coordinate third-party carrier interactions and provide documentation for customs, export control, or special handling requests when applicable.
Contribute to training materials and standard work documents, updating SOPs and job aids based on observed process changes or regulatory updates.
Provide weekend or on-call coverage for critical production runs, equipment issues, or inventory audits when business needs require.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Forklift operation (sit-down, reach, counterbalance) and certification verification; safe operation and daily equipment inspections.
Proficient with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems such as SAP, Oracle, Manhattan, or Blue Yonder.
RF barcode scanning and handheld terminal experience for picking/receiving and cycle counting.
Basic mechanical aptitude: troubleshooting conveyors, packaging equipment, labeling machines, and minor electrical/mechanical adjustments.
Knowledge of shipping documentation and carrier processes, including BOL, ASN, pallet manifests, and carrier scheduling.
Inventory control techniques: cycle counting, FIFO/LIFO rotation, lot control, and traceability best practices.
Quality control methods: visual inspection, dimensional checks, sample testing, and documenting nonconformances.
Understanding of OSHA regulations, lockout/tagout (LOTO), PPE requirements, and safe material handling practices.
Experience with lean manufacturing concepts, 5S, kaizen, continuous improvement, and waste reduction techniques.
Ability to follow and document Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), batch records, and production logs with strong attention to detail.
Basic computer literacy: Excel (data entry, simple formulas), email, and digital forms for incident and production reporting.
Familiarity with GMP, HACCP, or other industry-specific regulatory requirements where applicable.

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail with an emphasis on accuracy and compliance in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent communication skills to coordinate with cross-functional teams and escalating issues effectively.
Problem-solving mindset with the ability to troubleshoot on the line and propose practical improvements.
Dependability and punctuality; able to work shift schedules, overtime, and flexible hours as required.
Team player attitude with the ability to train, coach, and mentor peers and new hires.
Time management and prioritization skills to balance production targets and quality obligations.
Adaptability and resilience during peak seasons, production changeovers, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Customer-focused approach to ensure on-time delivery and product quality that meets internal and external expectations.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED.

Preferred Education:

Associate degree or technical certificate in Logistics, Supply Chain, Industrial Maintenance, Manufacturing Technology, or related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Supply Chain Management / Logistics
Industrial Technology / Manufacturing Maintenance
Mechanical or Electrical Technology
Quality Assurance / Production Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

1–5 years of experience in warehouse, production, or light manufacturing environments; experience with powered industrial trucks and WMS preferred.

Preferred:

2+ years as a production technician, warehouse associate, or similar role with demonstrated experience in shipping & receiving, inventory control, and equipment operation. Prior experience with ERP/WMS systems, quality inspection processes, and safety compliance is highly desirable.