Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Warehouse Support Technician

🎯 Role Definition

The Warehouse Support Technician is responsible for supporting all warehouse functions to ensure accurate, timely, and safe movement of goods. This hands-on role includes receiving and inspecting inbound shipments, performing cycle counts and reconciliation, executing order picking and packing to meet SLA requirements, preparing freight and carrier documentation, operating material handling equipment (forklift, pallet jack), and following all safety and quality procedures. The position partners closely with Inventory Control, Shipping, and Operations teams to optimize throughput, reduce errors, and maintain ISO/OSHA-compliant warehouse standards.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Warehouse Associate / Material Handler
Shipping & Receiving Clerk
Retail Stockroom Associate

Advancement To:

Inventory Control Specialist
Lead Warehouse Technician / Team Lead
Logistics Coordinator
Warehouse Supervisor / Operations Supervisor

Lateral Moves:

Quality Control Inspector
Equipment Operator (Forklift/VNA specialist)
Returns & Reverse Logistics Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Receive, inspect, and verify inbound shipments against purchase orders and packing lists; document and report discrepancies, damaged goods, and supplier issues to Purchasing and Inventory Control to maintain receiving accuracy and vendor accountability.
Execute accurate put-away operations using Warehouse Management System (WMS) instructions and barcode/RF scanners, ensuring correct location assignment, pallet configuration, and adherence to slotting logic to maximize space utilization and retrieval speed.
Pick customer and internal orders using batch, zone, wave, and piece-pick methods; follow pick tickets or WMS picks with high accuracy to meet daily order fulfillment KPIs and on-time shipment targets.
Pack orders per packaging standards and product-specific requirements (fragile, hazardous, temperature-sensitive); apply correct labeling, documentation, and carrier-specific packaging to reduce damage and return rates.
Prepare outbound shipments: stage freight, consolidate pallets, perform pallet wrap and strapping, generate BOLs, and coordinate carrier pickups (LTL, parcel); ensure compliance with carrier weight, dimension, and documentation requirements.
Conduct systematic cycle counts and physical inventories; reconcile discrepancies with inventory records, create adjustment requests, and support root-cause analysis to improve accuracy and reduce shrinkage.
Operate material handling equipment safely and efficiently including sit-down forklifts, pallet jacks, reach trucks, and order pickers; adhere to certifications and daily pre-shift safety checks to reduce accidents and downtime.
Perform quality inspections and sampling on inbound and outbound goods; identify non-conforming product, quarantine and document issues, and ensure disposition follows SOPs to protect the customer experience.
Execute cross-docking operations by receiving vendor loads and immediately staging for outbound trucks; coordinate with scheduling to minimize handling and reduce lead time.
Maintain accurate inventory records in WMS/ERP (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite) through timely data entry, cycle count updates, and by correcting location or SKU errors to support real-time inventory visibility.
Load and unload trucks manually and with equipment, following safe load balancing and weight distribution practices to protect staff and goods and to comply with DOT and carrier requirements.
Support returns processing (RMA) including inspection, refurbish or disposition, restocking, or scrap; update records and communicate return trends to Quality and Buying teams to limit recurrent issues.
Follow and contribute to written Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), safety manuals, and continuous improvement initiatives; suggest process improvements to increase throughput, reduce errors, or lower costs.
Monitor inventory aging, FIFO/FEFO compliance, and temperature/expiration controls for perishable or regulated items; enforce rotation policies and escalate potential compliance risks.
Track and report key performance indicators (KPIs) such as order accuracy, pick rate, dock-to-stock time, and on-time shipments; use data to prioritize workload and support management decisions.
Support hazardous materials (HAZMAT) handling and documentation when required; follow labeling, storage, and shipping regulations per local and federal guidelines.
Assist with warehouse layout changes, slotting projects, and new SKU introductions by performing slot creation, tagging, and pilot picks to ensure smooth transitions and minimal disruption to operations.
Troubleshoot and escalate WMS, barcode, scale, or scanner issues; perform basic device troubleshooting and coordinate with IT/maintenance to restore productivity promptly.
Maintain a clean, organized, and safe warehouse environment by following 5S principles, conducting routine housekeeping, disposing of debris, and reporting facility or equipment defects that could impact operations.
Participate in order staging, pick-face replenishment, and replenishment planning to prevent stockouts and maintain minimum and maximum levels for high-turn SKUs.
Provide cross-functional support during peak seasons or special projects — including inventory audits, system migrations, or product recalls — to ensure business continuity and regulatory compliance.
Train new team members on warehouse procedures, equipment operation, and safety protocols; document training outcomes and help develop on-the-job materials to raise team competency.

Secondary Functions

Assist in compiling daily, weekly, and monthly warehouse activity reports that inform capacity planning and staffing decisions.
Support ad-hoc process improvement projects (lean events, Kaizen) by providing frontline operational knowledge and validating proposed changes in real work conditions.
Help coordinate with procurement and planning teams to prioritize inbound shipments and expedite critical SKUs to meet customer commitments.
Provide hands-on support for returns analysis and warranty processing to accelerate customer resolutions and minimize financial impact.
Contribute to the organization's safety culture by participating in safety meetings, reporting near-misses, and helping implement corrective actions.
Collaborate with inventory control and analytics teams to provide data for root cause analysis of shrinkage, mispicks, and fulfillment delays.
Maintain and update training documentation and quick-reference guides for common warehouse tasks and equipment usage.
Support digital transformation efforts by piloting new devices, barcode schemes, or WMS features and providing feedback to IT and vendors.
Assist with seasonal surge planning, temporary staffing coordination, and onboarding to ensure smooth scale-up during peak demand.
Provide backup coverage across shipping, receiving, and pick/pack zones to maintain service levels during absences or peak periods.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Forklift operation and certification (sit-down, reach, VNA) — safe operation, pre-shift checks, and load handling.
Proficient with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and RF barcode scanning workflows (experience with SAP EWM, Manhattan, Oracle, NetSuite, or similar).
Strong inventory control skills: cycle counting, reconciliation, SKU reconciliation, and root-cause analysis.
Experience with outbound freight processes including BOL generation, carrier scheduling, LTL/parcel labeling, and staging.
Packaging and palletization best practices, including stretch wrapping, strapping, and unitization to protect product in transit.
Familiarity with basic ERP transactions, SKU master data, and inventory adjustments within systems.
Basic troubleshooting of handheld scanners, label printers, scales, and warehouse printers; ability to escalate IT/hardware issues with clear documentation.
Knowledge of OSHA and other relevant workplace safety regulations, PPE use, lockout/tagout, and safe material handling standards.
Ability to read pick tickets, packing lists, safety data sheets (SDS), and basic shipping documentation.
Basic math and measurement skills for counting, weight/dimension verification, and pallet configuration.
Experience with returns management, RMA processing, and disposition workflows.
Familiarity with quality inspection techniques and documentation for inbound/outbound quality control.

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail and accuracy in repetitive tasks to reduce mispicks and inventory variance.
Excellent time management and the ability to prioritize tasks in a dynamic warehouse environment.
Clear verbal and written communication to coordinate with team members, carriers, and cross-functional partners.
Team player mentality and willingness to perform physical, hands-on tasks to support group objectives.
Problem-solving mindset with initiative to identify, escalate, and help resolve operational bottlenecks.
Adaptability to shift schedules, seasonal demands, and changing priorities.
Dependability and consistent attendance; ability to maintain productivity under tight SLAs.
Customer-focused attitude with an understanding that accurate, on-time fulfillment supports customer satisfaction.
Physical stamina and good ergonomic technique for repeated lifting, bending, and walking.
Coaching capability to train new hires and transfer practical skills effectively.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED.

Preferred Education:

Associate degree or technical diploma in Logistics, Supply Chain, Industrial Technology, or related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Industrial Technology / Manufacturing Operations
Business Operations / Supply Chain Analytics
Occupational Safety and Health

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

0–3 years of warehouse or material handling experience for entry-level Technician roles; some positions may accept candidates with less experience if certifications and strong aptitude are present.

Preferred:

2–5 years of progressively responsible experience in warehouse operations, inventory control, or order fulfillment with demonstrated proficiency in WMS, forklift operation, and shipping/receiving processes.
Prior experience working with ERP/WMS integrations, cycle count programs, and cross-docking or high-volume e-commerce fulfillment is a plus.

Certifications (preferred/required):

Forklift certification (required or to be completed within first 30–60 days)
OSHA 10-hour (preferred)
Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) training (if applicable)
Certified Logistics Associate (CLA) / Certified Logistics Technician (CLT) (optional but beneficial)