Main Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Warehouse Clerk

A Warehouse Clerk is a professional who plays a crucial role in the efficient functioning of warehouse operations. They are responsible for various tasks related to inventory management, documentation, and ensuring the smooth flow of goods in and out of the warehouse. In this blog post, we delve into the primary responsibilities and the most sought-after hard and soft skills for Warehouse Clerks.

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Main Responsibilities of a Warehouse Clerk

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Warehouse Clerk:

Accept

Accept deliveries of company products and store them accordingly.

Adhere to

Adhere to all Health and Safety policies, procedures and guidelines.
Adhere to correct and proper clean up / housekeeping procedures.

Answer

Answer any phone calls and emails that are directed for the warehouse.
Answer phone and email and attracts business and potential customers by providing info and service.

Apply

Apply knowledge and skills to other areas within the product / department.

Assist in

Assist in conducting periodic inventory counts and audits.
Assist in daily pick, pack, and ship processing of lottery retailer orders.
Assist in other Warehouse admin duties as assigned.
Assist in receiving when needed.
Assist in reviewing and developing Standard Operating Procedures.
Assist in taking of perpetual cycle count inventory.
Assist in the assembly or disassembly of product displays or pallets.
Assist in the implementation of process improvements to enhance efficiency.
Assist in the implementation of safety protocols and procedures.
Assist in the loading and unloading of trucks as needed.
Assist in the resolution of inventory discrepancies or shipping issues.
Assist inventory control with the physical movement of products in the warehouse. (.
Assist with the warehouse upkeep and improvement.

Audit

Audit boxes and completing spot checks.

Build

Build and wrap pallets of retail product for domestic LTL and Export shipping.
Build any equipment the warehouse fills that requires some assembly.

Check

Check all orders for critical backorders vs.
Check out our Careers page to consult other available positions and learn more about Stingray.

Clean

Clean and safe work environment.
Clean background and reliable transportation required.
Clean units internally and externally with supplied cleaning products.
Clean well run building with plenty of parking.

Codify

Codify and label each part and / or pump.

Communicate with

Communicate effectively with warehouse team members and supervisors.
Communicate with co-workers and supervisors to optimize completion of work orders and processes.

Compare

Compare merchandise invoices to items actually received to ensure that shipments are correct.

Complete

Complete all necessary posting and receiving documentation.
Complete all outgoing documentation (bills of lading, invoices, orders etc).
Complete manifest paperwork for shipments.
Complete training offered.
Complete various inventory counts and spot checks to maintain system accuracy.

Comply with

Comply with all company policies and procedures regarding warehouse operations.

Confirm

Confirm information with carriers.

Control

Control the flow of stock through the warehouse.

Coordinate

Coordinate scheduling with production, sales order administration and other departments as needed.
Coordinate with shipping carriers to schedule pickups and deliveries.

Deliver

Deliver inbound packages addressed to CCC personnel as appropriate.

Demonstrate

Demonstrate a commitment to safety, accuracy, and quality in all tasks.

Distribute

Distribute materials to the specific production areas where they are used.

Document

Document materials and supplies disposition by recording units delivered and location of units.

Drive

Drive the pallet truck and the lift (Raymond standing).

Ensure

Ensure all warehouse documents, log books and other required paperwork is completed and filed.
Ensure company policy and legal requirements are followed in the shipping of product.
Ensure customer receipts and verify shipment.
Ensure data entry is executed properly and timely.
Ensure FIFO processes are followed, process returns, and remove damaged product.
Ensure maintenance of the warehouse at all times.
Ensure proper storage and organization of inventory within the warehouse.
Ensure the cleanliness of the warehouse.
Ensure the pickup areas are clean and orderly (indoors and outdoors).

Enter

Enter data into the system.
Enter Data, Organize cycle counts and help with counts.
Enter inventory data into computerized systems or databases.
Enter production data into computer.
Enter, verify, maintain and correct data on the computer or handheld scanning device.

Fill

Fill fulfillment, work orders, or requests for materials, tools, or other stock items.

Follow

Follow all workplace safety policies, and compliance regulations.
Follow proper handling procedures for hazardous materials, if applicable.
Follow quality service standards and comply with procedures, rules and regulations.
Follow written work instructions in accordance with ISO 9001 - 2015 standards.

Fulfill

Fulfill daily production orders by packaging bulk product into retail form.

Get

Get product ready for shipment.

Greet

Greet customers as they enter facility.

Handle

Handle inquiries and requests from customers or other departments.
Handle merchadise with care to ensure product is not damaged.
Handle or manage tools or equipment.

Help

Help in warehouse - stocking product on shelf (up to 50lbs) and organizing.
Help research receiving issues in data base as needed.

Identify

Identify possible discrepancies in inventory and or labeling and report to Supervisor.

Inform

Inform the purchasing agent of any discrepancies in the inventory.

Input

Input inventory information into RFP system.

Inspect

Inspect goods for damage and report discrepancies to supervisors.
Inspect products for defects and damages.

Keep

Keep customers inventory current and accurate.
Keep shelves clean and do the restocking.
Keep warehouse area sanitary and neat.
Keep warehouse clean and organized, including sweeping and removing debris.
Keep work area clean, neat and safe.

Label

Label and tag products with appropriate identification information.
Label items before processing.

Load

Load / unload using a forklift.

Locate

Locate, communicate and schedule trucks for all product shipped or received.

Maintain

Maintain accurate inventory records.
Maintain accurate records.
Maintain accurate records of inventory levels and stock movements.
Maintain a clean and safe work area and exhibit safe work practices at all times.
Maintain a relationship with customers and suppliers in Canada and abroad.
Maintain cleanliness and proper organization of the warehouse at all times.
Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information related to inventory or customers.
Maintain in-process inventory at work centers by delivering and opening materials and supplies.
Maintain inventory records on an RFP system.
Maintain shipping / receiving logs.
Maintain supply levels and verify and ensure all products are received at the warehouse.
Maintain the classification and the established order within the warehouse.
Maintain the classification and the order established within the warehouse.
Maintain work area and supplies / equipment.

Make

Make contact with carriers for shipping orders.

Manage

Manage pick ticket orders.

Measure

Measure performance against standards or productivity metrics.

Monitor

Monitor and report any maintenance or repair needs for warehouse equipment.
Monitor and track the movement of goods within the warehouse.
Monitor open order reports to ensure all shippable orders are processed.

Move

Move materials and items from receiving to assigned areas.

Open

Open and close machine when ready to run, check, and adjust.

Operate

Operate and maintain warehouse vehicles and equipment.
Operate material handling equipment such as forklifts or pallet jacks.

Order

Order pickers, picker packers, assemblers and general workers.
Order Picking to customer specifications.

Oversee

Oversee consumables re-issue program.
Oversee loading and unloading of goods to and from delivery trucks.

Package

Package products for shipping (shrink wrapping, boxing, labeling).

Pack

Pack shipments as per sales order and per required shipping method.

Participate in

Participate in cycle count programs and annual physical inventory.
Participate in training sessions or meetings related to warehouse operations.

Perform

Perform any of the tasks that are needed for the efficient operation of the facility.
Perform any other related duties, as may be required or assigned by management.
Perform asset / pallet put-away into storage racking, load trucks.
Perform cycle counts, and inventory audits.
Perform data entry into various systems.
Perform facilities maintenance.
Perform internal audits of the manufacturing process and supporting departments.
Perform inventory controls and keep quality standards high for audits.
Perform labeling, sorting, wrapping, packing and repacking for shipments.
Perform light maintenance as required.
Perform production mail labeling / mail merge.
Perform various tasks related to sending orders.

Pick

Pick and pack consumable orders.
Pick orders for shipment and prepare various types of merchandise to be shipped.
Pick, palletize and prep shipment.

Place

Place inventory and do the cycle count.
Place the goods back in stock.

Prepare

Prepare and complete orders for delivery or pickup according to schedule.
Prepare and make bank deposits.
Prepare and pack orders for shipment to customers or other locations.
Prepare customer's online orders according to our standards of quality.
Prepare for shipment using bubble wrap, shrink wrap or our proprietary devices.
Prepare orders by processing requests and supply orders.
Prepare outbound merchandise.
Prepare shipments to corporate office and receive and distribute return communications.
Prepare shipping documents and ensure compliance with shipping regulations.
Prepare the delivery process (documents, call the carrier and loading).

Prioritize

Prioritize orders to ensure we meet customer expectations and pickup time requests.

Process

Process orders and maintain inventory into a Warehouse Management System (WMS).
Process parts orders for International Parts group.

Provide

Provide back up support to supervisor staff to cover time off and overall warehouse office operation.
Provide excellent customer service in person, on the phone, and over email.
Provide regular updates to management on the status of performance categories.
Provide research and analysis for advisors to elevate their professional practice and goals.
Provide support during peak periods or special projects as assigned.
Provide support on inventory stocking and control for Consumables and MRO inventory.

Pull

Pull, package and ship orders accurately and per to procedure.

Put

Put away large incoming shipments in the right place.
Put the goods back in stock.

Reach

Reach with hands and arms.

Receive

Receive and issue materials from the inventory.
Receive customer and client orders.
Receive incoming shipments and verify the accuracy of goods received.
Receive shipments and manually & systematically update purchase orders upon receipt.

Report

Report on issues, malfunction or defective parts.

Research

Research and respond to all Shipping OS&D reports sent from Delivery HUB / DTX.

Retrieve

Retrieve items from storage areas as requested by warehouse staff or customers.

Return

Return reconditioning of customer equipment (decoders and modems).

Review

Review photos / folder of shipment information and asks approval from management before loading.

Schedule

Schedule client pickups / returns, at time of delivery whenever possible, reschedule as required.

Send

Send completed bills of lading to customers within 24 hours of recept or shipment.

Share purchase plan (with a contribution from Stingray).

Ship

Ship orders and make contact with carriers.

Shuts

Shuts down machine and makes adjustments for quality when necessary.

Sort

Sort and place materials or items on racks, shelves or in bins according to organizational standards.

Stage

Stage items for delivery.

Stand

Stand for the full duration of the shift on concrete floors in a warehouse environment.

Stock

Stock items within the warehouse and other areas in an orderly and accessible fashion.
Stock MRO parts (remove from shipping, receive in system, assign part number, tag, stock on shelf).
Stock and store warehouse with equipment and supplies.
Stock shelves, racks, cases, bins, and tables with new or transferred merchandise.

Stop

Stop any observed unsafe acts and obey facility safety rules and procedures.

Store

Store the different products.

Support

Support other departments as needed.
Support training other warehouse team members.

Take

Take ownership and accountability for enhancing results or minimizing problems.
Take that first one by applying to be a warehouse clerk.

Understand

Understand and adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices and Standard Operating Procedures.
Understand and complies with all safety and company policies and procedures.
Understand and complies with Company Health and Safety and environmental policies and procedures.

Unload

Unload and load shipments.
Unload and offload trucks, unbox, sort, and label product.
Unload and unpack items from delivery trucks or containers.

Unpack

Unpack and inspect general state of the incoming shipments.

Update

Update information in the Management System as needed and produce appropriate reports.

Use

Use ERP system to generate pick list, issue materials, transfer material.
Use Excel, Word, and email in daily procedures and safety regulations.
Use of SAP technology for inventory management.
Use RF Scanner devices to pick orders.

Utilize

Utilize various counting machines, weight counters, tape and reel counters and diode counters.

Verify

Verify amount of products within an outgoing package.
Verify customer product and accurately update the computer data base.
Verify receiving and receipting-in of parts shipments.
Verify that the goods are intact and report any defects.

Work with

Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams to achieve warehouse goals.
Work directly with logistics and shipping team to send out orders to meet customer deadlines.
Work under general supervision.
Work with a limited degree of supervision.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Warehouse Clerk:

Proficiency in using inventory management software or systems.
Data entry skills and accuracy in recording inventory transactions.
Knowledge of basic arithmetic and counting principles.
Familiarity with operating material handling equipment, such as forklifts.
Understanding of warehouse safety regulations and procedures.
Ability to read and interpret shipping documents and product labels.
Experience with barcode scanning technology and handheld devices.
Basic understanding of supply chain and logistics concepts.
Familiarity with packing and labeling requirements for different products.
Knowledge of inventory control methods and practices.
Ability to operate warehouse machinery, such as pallet jacks or hand trucks.
Proficiency in using Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel.
Understanding of warehouse layout and storage organization principles.
Knowledge of proper lifting and handling techniques to prevent injuries.
Ability to follow instructions and work independently with minimal supervision.
Familiarity with warehouse security measures and loss prevention techniques.
Experience with inventory reconciliation and cycle counting procedures.
Basic troubleshooting skills for addressing equipment malfunctions.
Understanding of hazardous material handling procedures and safety precautions.
Ability to adapt to new technologies and software applications used in warehouse management.

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Warehouse Clerk:

Attention to detail and accuracy in performing tasks.
Strong organizational and time management skills.
Effective communication skills, both verbal and written.
Ability to work well under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
Teamwork and collaboration with colleagues and supervisors.
Adaptability to changes in priorities or workflow.
Problem-solving skills to address unexpected challenges.
Customer service orientation and responsiveness to inquiries.
Positive attitude and willingness to learn and take on new responsibilities.
Integrity and reliability in handling confidential information and materials

Conclusion

Warehouse Clerks are essential members of the warehouse team, responsible for maintaining accurate inventory records, processing orders, and ensuring the smooth operation of warehouse activities. With a combination of technical proficiency and strong soft skills, Warehouse Clerks contribute to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of warehouse operations, playing a vital role in meeting customer demands and organizational objectives.