Warehouse Jobs: What Do They Consist Of?

Warehouse jobs are a critical part of our nation’s economy and the backbone for supply chains; streamlining the distribution process across our country. But warehouses don't just work on their own. They require the time, effort, and energy of millions of warehouse workers across the country. 

Southern California has thousands of warehouses, many looking for part-time, full-time, temporary, and seasonal workers to help them run well. Take a look at a few of the most common warehouse positions and their roles and responsibilities To determine if this is the right career path for you: 

Stocking Associate is a Popular Warehouse Job

An efficient warehouse is an organized warehouse, and stocking Associates are responsible for making sure that inventory is stocked in an organized manner and easily accessible for a customer or internal use. Their daily responsibilities include organizing products, maintaining stock levels, and unloading trucks. 

Warehouse Managers Are More Experienced Warehouse Jobs

A warehouse is a busy place with a lot of moving parts, and a warehouse manager is in charge of overseeing the entire operation from Inventory management and safety to workflow processes, maintaining budgets, and monitoring performance.

Forklift Driver is A Certified Warehouse Job

In large warehouses where inventory is organized on high shelves or heavy materials need to be moved around,  forklift drivers are a critical part of the operation. Their job is to move heavy pallets of goods around the warehouse, load them onto and off of trucks, and make sure that everything is placed in the right location. You'll also need to have your forklift certification to perform this job.

Clerk (Shipping and Receiving)

Large warehouses can see thousands of deliveries and shipments a day, and a shipping and receiving clerk is responsible for managing the flow of incoming and outgoing goods, verifying shipments, and handling paperwork. Some clerks are also in charge of tracking inventory as well. 

Receiving Associate

When an order comes in, the receiving associate makes sure that all of the shipments are accurate, logged into the system, and stored in the right places. Their job is to check goods for damages and update the inventory.

Delivery Driver

Warehouses don't run without delivery drivers. These important warehouse workers are responsible for transporting goods from the warehouse to customers and other locations. They are in charge of planning their routes, loading their trucks with materials, and managing their time to ensure on-time deliveries. Since they work on the front lines, they often handle customer inquiries.

Packaging Specialist

In order to transport goods safely they must be packaged correctly. Packing specialists are in charge of preparing products for shipment by packing them carefully according to company guidelines. They inspect the goods for quality, make sure they are labeled correctly, and prepare the proper documentation.

Warehouse Safety Supervisor:

Safety is key in any warehouse, and a warehouse safety supervisor is in charge of making sure that all warehouse operations adhere to safety standards. Their responsibilities include educating staff on proper safety protocols and conducting regular safety inspections. If there's an accident in the warehouse, the warehouse safety supervisor oversees the investigation and is in charge of maintaining all safety records.

Warehouse Management System (WMS) Analyst

Technology plays a large role in how a warehouse runs and operates. Warehouse management system analysts are experts in the software that track inventory and optimize warehouse operations. They use data and reports to pinpoint systems or processes that may be slowing the warehouse down and develop systems to help the warehouse run more effectively. 

These are just a few examples of common warehouse jobs and their daily roles and responsibilities. However, one of the challenges that many warehouses across the country face is managing a constantly fluctuating workforce. To fill vacancies with the right people who have the right skill set and the right experience, many warehouses in the Southern California area partner with employment agencies like GreatHire to find skilled and experienced workers for a broad range of industrial positions. 

If you're interested in learning more about working in the industrial space, click here to learn more.