What Does a Warehouse Associate Do?
Warehouse associates are responsible for performing a wide range of duties, such as receiving and processing incoming shipments of stock, picking and filling orders for customers, packing and shipping orders, or organizing and retrieving items from shelves or other locations in the warehouse. They should be in good physical shape and comfortable on their feet for long periods of time.
The warehouse associate handles incoming and outgoing products, labels incoming shipments, reviews the inventory for damages, maintains an accurate record of inventory, and ensures the warehouse remains clean and organized.
The responsibilities of warehouse associates will vary with the job, but generally, they have to quickly adjust and adapt to various tasks as needed to make sure the warehouse runs efficiently.
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National Average Salary
Warehouse associate salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. To explore salary ranges by local market, please visit our sister site zengig.com.
The average U.S. salary for a Warehouse Associate is:
$33,730
Warehouse Associate Job Descriptions
The first step when hiring a great warehouse associate is a well-crafted job description. Below are real-world examples to help give you the best chance of success on your recruiting journey.
Example 1
[Your Company Name] is looking for a key individual who’s a hard worker and quick learner that can join our fast-paced warehouse team. You will have a critical role in moving products through our distribution network to service our customers. Your role is critical in providing our customers with the product they expect at an everyday low price. You can expect the work to be physically demanding with an extremely high focus on your safety and the safety of others. You will be lifting heavy cases in extreme climates.
Typical duties and responsibilities
- Receive, store, and track shipments
- Load and unload merchandise from delivery trucks using appropriate tools
- Carefully handle fragile merchandise
- Accurately track and document shipment arrivals and departures
- Tag and label merchandise
- Box, wrap, and pack merchandise per standard procedures
- Fill and check all orders for shipment
- Document and manage all defective or damaged merchandise
- Operate appropriate merchandise management tools, such as a forklift or other heavy machinery
- Maintain inventory logs
- Scan inventory into systems
- Lift up to 75 pounds
- Properly maintain equipment
- Maintain a clean warehouse and comply with all safety regulations
Education and experience
- High school diploma or GED
- Most warehouse associate positions train on the job, but some recommend prior experience
Required skills and qualifications
- Strong organizational skills
- Detail-oriented
- Solid communication skills
- Knowledge of inventory organization
- Physical stamina and dexterity
- Ability to work well with a team
Preferred qualifications
- Prior warehouse and logistics experience
- Materials handling certifications relevant to the products in stock
- Experience with warehouse equipment, including forklifts, pallet jacks, and hand trucks
- Experience using computer-based inventory systems
Example 2
Responsibilities
- Work closely with the warehouse team and Operations Manager to ensure timely production and accurate inventory
- Receive, store, and distribute materials, tools, equipment, and products within the warehouse
- Prep and stage for upcoming jobs
- Deliver air filtration and related products to customers
- Load, unload, prepare, inspect, and operate a delivery vehicle. Verify the accuracy of items with corresponding order fulfillment instructions before departing
- Follow customer-specific on-site expectations and regulations
- Develop and maintain strong working relationships with the on-site point of contact
- Ask customers for feedback on services and products and share leads for new business opportunities with the Branch Manager
- Complete logs and reports daily
- Follow DOT regulations and safety standards. Maintain vehicle checklist.
Qualifications
- Eligible to drive for company business
- In order to be eligible as a company driver, candidates must be at least 25 years of age, with a valid driver’s license and satisfactory results from a driving record check.
- Warehouse-related experience is preferred, but not required
- Skills: Attention to detail, strong communication, time management, and inventory management a plus
- Can regularly lift 50 lbs.
- Requires working on ladders and use of general hand and power tools
Example 3
Responsibilities
As a Warehouse Associate, you will work cooperatively in a team to efficiently receive, verify, stage, and stock incoming material. Safety will be a main priority for you and your fellow team members; thus, you will work together to keep a safe and clean environment and follow safety procedures when utilizing Power Industrial Truck equipment. Together, your team will be the backbone that will keep ABC Company thriving for years to come!
Qualities
- Focus on customer satisfaction
- Commitment to detail and accuracy
- Outstanding team player
- A safety and compliance mindset
Qualifications
- High School Diploma or equivalent
- Must be able to lift to 50 pounds, stand/walk for up to 8 hours a day and be able to frequently push, pull, squat, bend, and reach
- Previous experience in a warehouse environment, including order picking, shipping and receiving and cycle counting is highly desired
Example 4
Overview
Maintain the flow of stocked and delivered inventory by pulling material from bins, loading material onto trucks, placing new material arrivals into bins, scanning, or entering the data into the inventory database.
Responsibilities
Individuals must be able to perform essential duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Unload material, tools, and equipment from vendor trucks; inspecting material for minimum ABC Company quality requirements
- Stock and transfer material, tools, and equipment to appropriate shelf, bin, rack, or pipe bundle by a predetermined sequence, including bind location, size, type, style, and length
- Mark material with correct identifying information
- Transfer material to and from the shops for modification purposes
- Assemble customer orders from stock and package orders in boxes and pallets as per customer requirements
- Pull orders for delivery and stock-to-stock transfer; load onto correct truck or transfer to packing area using a forklift, overhead crane, and heavy equipment
- Prepare documentation for UPS, LTL, SH, or Air Shipments
- Adhere to required safety policies, guidelines, and training
- Maintain warehouse cleanliness in compliance with OSHA and customer safety policies
- Perform other duties and projects as assigned
- Take reasonable care for the safety and health of yourself and others; report workplace hazards, injuries, or illness immediately
Qualifications
Any combination of requirements, which provide knowledge and abilities necessary to perform essential duties and responsibilities, will be considered.
- High School Diploma or GED (General Education Degree)
- Ability to learn ABC Company, federal, health, and safety regulations
- Typing and basic computer skills
- Knowledge of or ability to learn ABC Company warehouse operations and business processes
- Basic math and good reading skills
Additional qualifications
- Must have the ability to provide documentation verifying legal work status
- Ability to read and speak the English language proficiently in order to communicate with others, understand and interpret safety instructions, and to respond to inquiries
- Ability to understand and comply with ABC Company guidelines and expectations, including Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest guidelines
Candidate Certifications to Look For
- OSHA Ten-Hour Certification for General Industry and Health – This certification demonstrates that candidates possess the essential knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in a warehouse position. The course covers areas such as fall protection, fire prevention and protection, and electrical and machine guarding safety.
- OSHA Compliant Forklift Certification – This certification ensures employers that candidates can safely and successfully operate a forklift. To earn the OSHA Compliant Forklift Certification, candidates must be at least 18 years old, pass an online exam, and confirm that they have gained experience operating and driving a forklift per OSHA guidelines.
- Supply Chain Warehousing Certificate – This program was developed by the Association of Supply Chain Management and signifies advanced knowledge in warehousing and distribution. The program focuses on distribution inventory management, product storage, packaging and shipment, and logistics sustainability.
Sample Interview Questions
- Do you have experience working in warehouse shipping and receiving?
- What do you feel are the most important responsibilities of a warehouse associate?
- Do you have experience with pricing and labeling inventory?
- Do you have experience operating heavy equipment, a forklift, and power tools?
- Do you have experience using inventory software?
- Do you prefer working independently or as part of a team?
- Have you ever had to correct a problem with lost or stolen shipments?
- Have you ever made a mistake while you were on the job? How did you resolve it?
- Describe a time when you disagreed with a supervisor. How did you handle it?
- How do you determine the type of equipment to use when stacking and sorting large containers?
- What is your process for observing safety policies and regulations?
- How do you prioritize your work?
- Are you comfortable working long hours while standing and lifting?
- If you saw a team member intentionally commit a safety violation, what would you do?