A warehouse picker, also known as an order picker, is responsible for selecting and retrieving items from shelves and bins to fulfill customer orders. At Dot Foods, pickers can expect to work in three environments: dry, refrigerated, and freezer warehouses. Although the conditions are different, the tasks carried out by a warehouse order picker are the same.
Key Responsibilities of a Warehouse Picker
The primary duties of a warehouse picker revolve around accurately and efficiently picking and packing orders to meet customer demands and productivity targets.
Receiving and checking pick tickets/orders
Warehouse pickers receive pick tickets or digital orders from warehouse staff, which detail the items and quantities needed to complete an order. They must carefully check orders to understand what needs to be picked.
Locating and pulling items from shelves
Using the information on the ticket, pickers navigate the warehouse to locate the required items. They may use a forklift, pallet jack, or other equipment to retrieve and move products. Attention to detail is vital. There are thousands of different products, and customer orders must contain the right product SKUs, quantities, sizes, and colors. By the way, if you're interested in warehouse jobs, but don't have forklift qualifications, don't worry! We'll give you comprehensive onboarding and on-the-job training.
Packing orders, including shrink-wrapping items onto pallets
In some cases, warehouse pickers are also responsible for packing the orders they have picked. Packing involves placing items into boxes, attaching shipping labels, and shrink-wrapping boxes onto pallets for shipping.
Replenishing inventory
In between picking orders, warehouse pickers may also be asked to replenish inventory to ensure the warehouse remains organized and well-stocked. Restocking is the process of putting away new inventory shipments and moving items from overstock locations to picking bins.
Maintaining a clean and organized warehouse
Every worker in a warehouse is responsible for keeping it clean, organized, and running efficiently. Pickers may be asked to sweep floors, organize shelves, and dispose of packaging materials to maintain a safe and productive work environment.
Adhering to safety regulations and quality standards
Warehouses can be hazardous environments with heavy machinery, high shelves, and potential tripping hazards. All warehouse workers must adhere to safety regulations, including wearing protective gear and following proper lifting techniques.
Skills and Qualifications
Warehouse picker is typically an entry-level position that doesn’t require previous experience. However, it does require a specific set of skills to perform the job effectively.
Physical fitness and stamina
If you work on the warehouse floor, you’ll likely spend most of your shift on your feet, walking, bending, and lifting. You must be physically fit and able to lift heavy items, typically between 35 and 60 pounds, repeatedly throughout your shift.
Ability to read pick tickets and follow instructions
Warehouse pickers must have basic literacy skills to read and understand pick tickets and follow written and verbal instructions from supervisors. Basic math skills are necessary for counting items and ensuring order quantities are correct. Many modern warehouses, including Dot Foods distribution centers, use computerized inventory management systems, so you should be comfortable using a computer.
Keen attention to detail to avoid errors
With so many similar-looking items in a warehouse, you’ll need a keen eye for detail to avoid picking the wrong items or quantities. Even minor errors can lead to delayed shipments and unhappy customers.
Good communication and teamwork skills
While much of the work is done independently, warehouse pickers must communicate effectively with supervisors and coworkers and work as part of a team to meet deadlines and goals.
Career Path and Advancement
A warehouse picking job is an entry-level position, so we provide on-the-job training to help new hires get up to speed. With experience and a proven track record of accuracy and efficiency, pickers can advance to supervisor or warehouse manager roles.In fact, almost two-thirds of Dot Foods management vacancies are filled by internal promotions, including roles from the warehouse floor.
Become a Dot Foods Warehouse Picker
Warehouse pickers play an essential role in keeping our distribution centers moving by accurately and efficiently picking and packing orders. While the work can be physically demanding, it offers a stable career path with opportunities for advancement in a growing industry. If you'd like to apply for a warehouse worker role at Dot Foods, we have vacancies in over a dozen locations across the U.S.