Warehouses and distribution centers are the waystations of the global supply chain, essential stops in the movement of goods. However, even more important than the building is every warehouse worker and the jobs they perform every day.
Warehouse duties can be physically demanding, often involving heavy lifting and being on your feet for long periods. Yet the flipside to these demands is the benefits of warehouse jobs, such as skill development, job stability and opportunities to grow your career.
What is warehouse job?
Any warehouse worker job description will have slight variations in the warehouse duties job description. There are many diverse warehouse and distribution center roles. Warehouse duties range from entry-level positions to specialized roles like forklift operators, inventory managers and warehouse supervisors. However, the ultimate objective of any warehouse job is to ensure that products are stored correctly, orders are processed efficiently and goods are delivered on time.
Warehouse team member job description
Throughout their workday, a warehouse employee is responsible for many tasks. While specific duties may vary depending on the employer and the goods being handled, the core warehouse job description remains consistent across most warehouse environments with duties such as:
Receiving shipments
Workers must ensure that incoming goods are correctly documented, inspected for damage and appropriately stored. This involves unloading goods from trucks or containers and checking items to ensure they match the purchase order and are in good condition. Any discrepancies or damages must be reported immediately.
Inventory control
One inaccurate inventory count can throw a warehouse into chaos. That’s why an important warehouse worker task is logging items as they arrive, counting inventory as needed, updating records and tracking stock levels to prevent shortages or overages.
Order fulfillment
The only thing equally important as when inventory arrives at a warehouse is when it leaves the warehouse. Picking items from storage and packing them for shipment requires careful attention to detail to ensure shipments are correct and sent to the right locations. Once orders are packed, they must be securely loaded for delivery, ensuring that no damage occurs during transit.
Warehouse maintenance
A cluttered, messy warehouse is a recipe for disaster. For safety and efficiency, every warehouse employee must focus on keeping the entire workspace clean and organized. Some examples include spot-cleaning the floors, maintaining organized storage areas and watching for and removing hazards.
Operating equipment
There are many specialized warehouse tasks where workers must be trained before using equipment like conveyor belts. Some warehouse duties require supplemental training and licensing, such as driving a forklift. Workers must acquire a forklift certification before operating this equipment to guarantee they are familiar with all safety guidelines.
Record-keeping
Accurate record-keeping is the key element of shipment tracking and inventory management. Product scanners with an integrated warehouse management system help maintain correct and up-to-date records.
Quality control
When a product arrives and before it leaves, all shipments must be inspected to ensure they are not damaged and meet all necessary standards. Quality control inspections include looking for damage, checking that orders match their specifications and ensuring that shipments are packed securely.
Warehouse worker description
The essential qualities of a warehouse worker cover a wide range of characteristics. The abilities and talents typically associated with a warehouse worker include:
Physical stamina
Warehouse work can be physically demanding. A typical day for a warehouse employee often requires long periods of standing and lifting heavy objects. Workers must be able to handle the physical demands of the job.
Attention to detail
Accuracy is critical in warehouse operations, particularly inventory management, order picking and shipping. Warehouse workers must have a keen eye for detail to ensure that the correct items are received, stored, retrieved and shipped. Even small errors can lead to significant disruptions in the supply chain, so attention to detail is crucial.
Teamwork and communication
Most tasks in a warehouse require multiple team members to complete successfully. A warehouse worker must give and receive instructions, share information and be willing to collaborate. Strong communication and teamwork skills are essential.
Reliability and punctuality
Warehouses run on strict deadlines, meaning that warehouse workers must routinely meet strict deadlines, including starting their shifts on time. Any delays can disrupt workflow and impact a warehouse’s efficiency.
Organizational skills
Given the large volume of goods that move through a warehouse, organizational skills are a vital aspect of any warehouse job description. A warehouse worker must be able to keep track of inventory, identify storage locations and ensure that goods are appropriately stored for easy access and retrieval.
Technical skills
A modern warehouse description includes many different types of automation, from warehouse management systems to robotic storage systems. This trend is only going to increase, and workers must have technical skills that can range from basic computer skills to using advanced equipment.
One of the specialized skills that may be required of a warehouse worker is charging and maintaining the health of forklift batteries. However, ensuring that those batteries fit the needs of your business is the job of a warehouse manager. Fortunately, Texas Motive Solutions is here to help with our complimentary forklift fleet performance analysis.
The Texas Motive Solutions non-invasive Power Study will discover:
- The power requirements your operation truly needs.
- How to improve operational efficiencies for optimal battery utilization.
- What type of forklift batteries and chargers would work best in your application.
- How to best optimize the performance of your forklift fleet to prolong battery life and ensure warranty coverage.
So, if your warehouse job description involves maintaining the life of your forklift batteries and accessories, give us a call at (888) 316-2459 or fill out this form to learn about our services and discover everything we can do for you.
