A Warehouse Technician is a professional who plays a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation and maintenance of a warehouse facility. These individuals are responsible for various tasks, including inventory management, equipment maintenance, and facility upkeep. In this blog post, we will describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Warehouse Technicians.

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Main Responsibilities of a Warehouse Technician

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

Abide by

Abide by company Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) , Form's, and Work Instructions (WI's).

Achieve

Achieve established Packing Capacities and Improve upon packing rate efficiencies.

Adhere to

• Adhere to and cascade strong ethical principles in all aspects of the work.

• Adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) , SOP's and Safety Regulations consistently.

• Adhere to hygiene and sanitization practices as set by the company and Health Canada.

• Adhere to safety protocols and promote a culture of safety in the workplace.

Advise

Advise supervisors of all equipment problems or changes immediately upon notice of change.

Ask

Ask questions when you don't know something.

Assemble

Assemble display pallets to finished product specifications.

Assist in

• Assist and support in preparing orders by processing requests and supply orders.

• Assist Drivers with deliveries as needed.

• Assist in the development and implementation of safety training programs.

• Assist in the implementation of warehouse layout and storage system improvements.

• Assist in the implementation of warehouse security measures.

• Assist in the investigation and documentation of inventory discrepancies.

• Assist in training new warehouse employees.

• Assist shipping and receiving unloading trucks and checking in merchandise if required.

• Assist Warehouse Manager in monitoring mileage and required service on delivery vehicles.

• Assist with destruction of cannabis waste material.

Assure

• Assure Product Quality and Service (Zero Defects Objective).

• Assure proper code dates, labeling, correct packaging, documentation, etc..

• Assure proper loading and sealing of delivery vehicles.

• Assure Proper printing & sealing of bags.

Audit

Audit boxes with a computer.

Balance

Balance enterprise wide requirements and SCM resources ensuring SCM's ability to deliver.

Check

Check and inspect all shipments for damages.

Clean

Clean sampling tools and dispose of residual waste from sampling operation.

Collaborate with

• Collaborate with external vendors for equipment repairs and servicing.

• Collaborate with other team members to optimize workflow and productivity.

• Collaborate with warehouse supervisors or managers to resolve operational issues.

Communicate

• Communicate all Quality Concerns Daily with Supervisor.

• Communicate and coordinate with other departments, such as procurement and logistics.

• Communicate effectively with coworkers and customers.

• Communicate employee self-development objectives to immediate supervisor.

• Communicate immediately if delays are imminent.

• Communicate regularly with carriers and drivers.

• Communicate regularly with Production Lead, Receiving Specialist, and Raw Warehouse Manager.

Complete

• Complete at a satisfactory level all required and assigned HSE training.

• Complete daily loading and OEE reports and logs immediately when done.

• Complete inventory counts daily.

• Complete monthly, quarterly and year-end inventory counts and financial reconciliation.

• Complete OEE reports accurately.

• Complete repairs and maintenance as needs identified.

• Complete reports in a timely manner by entering required information.

Computer

Computer operations using excel, outlook and word are an important part of the role.

Conduct

• Conduct and maintain daily cycle count activities.

• Conduct preventive maintenance tasks to ensure equipment reliability.

• Conduct regular cycle counts, ensuring system inventory accuracy.

• Conduct regular inventory counts and reconcile discrepancies.

Consolidate

Consolidate inventory and shelves received materials.

Deliver

Deliver and retrieve carpet / flooring and related supplies, as needed.

Drive

• Drive accuracy and credibility in SCM risk assessments.

• Drive a company truck / van to deliver / pick up units.

• Drive company vehicle and forklift for long periods of time.

Ensure

• Ensure accurate cut and quality control and receipt of work orders from previous day's work.

• Ensure accurate inventory management via cycle counts.

• Ensure compliance with all safety rules and regulations.

• Ensure data and information created is maintained, accurate and accessible.

• Ensure maintenance and janitorial tasks are performed daily.

• Ensure orders receive the appropriate level of attention & urgency.

• Ensure that company vehicles used are well maintained and kept clean.

• Ensure that damaged parcels or samples are reported immediately.

• Ensure the general cleanliness of the warehouse.

• Ensure the prevention of damage to inventory during storage.

• Ensure warehouse is clean, organized, secure and safe at all times.

Enter

• Enter data for receipt of finished product into computer.

• Enter data into computer to track inventory movement.

Examine

Examine incoming / outgoing shipments to ensure shipments meet specifications.

Facilitate

Facilitate faster, smoother change-overs.

Follow

• Follow all activity policies and procedures, including all HSE related requirements at all times.

• Follow a route for collecting and dropping off material requirements throughout the shop.

• Follow standard operating procedures for warehouse operations.

Follow-up

Follow-up with Aplin Industrial by phone at 780 229 2000.

Generate

Generate reports and analyze data related to inventory levels and trends.

Give

Give proper care to the operation and maintenance of vehicles and equipment.

Goal

Goal is zero customer complaints.

Handle

Handle hazardous materials following proper handling and storage guidelines.

Implement

• Implement and attain daily Packing Schedule provided by scheduler.

• Implement established employee safety policies, procedures and programs.

• Implement Sanitation Policy and Procedures for the warehouse area.

Increase

Increase knowledge of the all equipment to eventually be able to run the line without help.

Input

Input inventory counts into our RFMS database system.

Inspect

• Inspect all incoming shipments.

• Inspect, assemble, install and deploy computers and related equipment.

• Inspect shipments for damages, loss, or defects.

Interact with

Interact with hotel guests and staff in a professional manner.

Issue

• Issue and Receive materials in SAP via Inventory Transaction Entry.

• Issue parts to departments as needed.

Keep

• Keep records on incoming and outgoing shipments.

• Keep track of device and supply inventory.

• Keep up-to-date with industry trends and best practices in warehouse operations.

Label

Label and ship in accordance with packaging guidelines and accepted methods / practices.

Lead

Lead teams to maintain a healthy and safe work environment.

Learn

Learn the complete operation of the pack lines.

Leverage

Leverage these opportunities to cultivate relationships with installers.

Load

• Load and unload bulk and individual cases to / from trailers.

• Load and unload materials from delivery truck, move inventory into designated receiving area.

• Load and unload trucks using proper handling techniques.

• Load / unload merchandise or material from cars or trucks.

Maintain

• Maintain accurate inventory records using inventory management systems.

• Maintain a clean and organized warehouse environment.

• Maintain a clean shipping supply area by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations.

• Maintain and enforce food safety standards with drivers, customers, and visitors.

• Maintain and organize all product and equipment in both warehouse locations.

• Maintain and wear at all times required appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

• Maintain clean and safe working environments.

• Maintain daily inventory of received and shipped items as per the Company computer tracking system.

• Maintain forklift maintenance and service schedule.

• Maintain general warehouse appearance including inside and outside the building.

• Maintain inventory by conducting and assisting with physical counts as required.

• Maintain inventory databases using Excel.

• Maintain inventory numbers accurately for daily, weekly, monthly cycle counts.

• Maintain product Quality and Consistency.

• Maintain proper labeling and signage throughout the warehouse.

• Maintain safe working habits / conditions according to all regulations and policies.

• Maintain timely, accurate records.

• Maintain warehouse in a constant state of organization and GMP compliance.

Make

• Make adjustments as necessary to maintain bag weight tolerance and rejections.

• Make communities healthier and more prosperous.

• Make sure flour is packed in the correct bags, correct weights, correct code dates, and on schedule.

• Make the food that nourishes people throughout North America.

• Make the innovative breakthroughs that shape our industry.

Manage

• Manage and monitor warehouse inventories.

• Manage or act as backup for controlled substance handling and regulations.

• Manage shipping activities, freight and logistics functions – pick, pack, label, schedule, ship.

• Manage the Warehouse and Inventory.

• Manage time properly to finish products during shift.

• Manage workload to avoid backlogs – all orders completed within 24 hrs.

Maximize

Maximize Packing Efficiencies.

Minimize

• Minimize packing downtime and changeovers.

• Minimize Problem Shipments.

• Minimize Unscheduled Downtime and repairs.

Monitor

Monitor bag weight throughout the production run and document.

Operate

• Operate company vehicles and ATVs.

• Operate computerized inventory systems for tracking and reporting purposes.

• Operate dolly, pallet jack, and / or forklift in loading and unloading material and equipment.

• Operate forklift or powered lift to load onto freight truck.

• Operate forklifts and flat deck trucks.

• Operate forklifts, pallet jacks, and other warehouse equipment safely and efficiently.

• Operate in a safe and efficient manner at all times.

Orchestrate

Orchestrate an efficient and effective "morning show”.

Package

Package and ship in accordance with packaging guidelines and accepted methods / practices.

Participate in

• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives to enhance warehouse efficiency.

• Participate in Toolbox meetings, Monthly Safety Training and Audits.

Perform

• Perform accurate inventory transactions through logs and spreadsheets.

• Perform inventory counts as needed or required.

• Perform product and bag inventory as requested.

• Perform regular cycle counts, ensuring system inventory accuracy.

• Perform required data entry functions in SAP to execute the receiving / shipping processes.

• Perform required data entry functions in SAP to execute the shipping process.

• Perform routine maintenance and repairs on warehouse equipment.

• Perform truck inspection report, forklift inspection report.

Pick

• Pick and Deliver materials to the IPT KanBan in a timely manner.

• Pick and pack orders for shipment based on customer requirements.

• Pick items as per work orders.

• Pick material based on transfer request requirements on a first expiry, first out (FEFO) basis.

• Pick up flooring materials from suppliers in the Sacramento metro area.

Practice

Practice compliance with cGMP and safe operations.

Prepare

• Prepare carpet for next day installs.

• Prepare network equipment for installations.

• Prepare orders for shipment in accordance with the pick ticket and customer requirements.

Process

Process and track rejected and repaired components (in-house and to / from vendors).

Promote

Promote and ensure safe work conditions and abide by company required PPEs.

Provide

• Provide accurate reporting on receipt of materials and distribution of purchased items.

• Provide coverage for other Packaging Technicians and Warehouse person when necessary.

• Provide relief support to Chemical Warehouse activities when called upon.

Pull

Pull spools / materials and distribute them to their designated area.

Receive

• Receive and inspect incoming shipments for accuracy and quality.

• Receive and thoroughly inspect all incoming shipments of materials and equipment.

• Receive and unload deliveries from suppliers.

• Receive, inspect and store all warehouse stock.

• Receive material in SAP via Inventory Transaction Entry.

• Receive raw materials in the GMP warehouse via the company ERP system.

• Receive raw materials, product contact and engineering materials into SAP system.

• Receive, sort, and stock material, equipment, merchandise or supplies to shelf locations.

• Receive, store, and distribute flooring materials and cabinets throughout the warehouse.

• Receive, verify, stage and stock all incoming material.

Recognize

Recognize and Implement proper GMPs.

Recommend

Recommend improvements where necessary.

Report

Report any bag inventory issues.

Respond to

Respond to customer inquiries and provide assistance when necessary.

Route

Route items to departments.

Schedule

Schedule and communicate waste disposal services, as required.

Separate

Separate core from product.

Sort

• Sort, count, package, label, and unpack inventory that is received.

• Sort recycling / waste streams to ensure the generated waste makes it to correct destination.

Stack

Stack and down-stack PTACs to load / unload trucks.

Stage

Stage materials in warehouse for production floor.

Stock

Stock shelves in the warehouse.

Submit

Submit accurate records of filling and packaging work performed to the Packaging Supervisor.

Support

• Support and advocate the utilization of surplus materials including transfer, repair and disposition.

• Support role is a support position in the manufacturing process and works under minimal supervision.

• Support the implementation of quality control measures for incoming and outgoing goods.

• Support the maintenance of warehouse inventories.

• Support the packaging and sanitization departments and multitask shifting priorities, as needed.

Transport

• Transport equipment to various locations.

• Transport material from third party vendors to the facility, as needed.

Troubleshoot

• Troubleshoot and diagnose equipment malfunctions.

• Troubleshoot and maintain sensors and equipment using our Service and Installation app..

Understand

• Understand and complies with all safety and company policies and procedures.

• Understand and implement protocols outlined in OGEN's Quality Management System (QMS).

Unload

• Unload and sort goods, ensuring proper storage and organization.

• Unload / load trucks with raw and finished product.

Utilize

Utilize a computer to input and retrieve data.

Value

Value and foster inclusion and diversity to create new and improved solutions and ideas.

Verify

• Verify all shipments by referencing the register, customer order number.

• Verify materials requirements on Bills of Material (BOM).

• Verify, receive, unpack and distribute general deliveries to designated locations.

Work

• Work and communicate with other warehouse employees.

• Work as a high performance cross-functional team with other warehouse and mill location employees.

Wrap

Wrap pallets and stages them for transport.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

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

1. Proficiency in operating forklifts, pallet jacks, and other warehouse equipment.

2. Knowledge of inventory management systems and software.

3. Understanding of warehouse safety protocols and procedures.

4. Competence in conducting preventive maintenance tasks on equipment.

5. Skill in troubleshooting and diagnosing equipment malfunctions.

6. Ability to perform basic repairs on warehouse equipment.

7. Proficiency in using hand tools and power tools for equipment maintenance.

8. Knowledge of warehouse layout optimization and storage systems.

9. Competence in using computerized inventory systems for tracking and reporting.

10. Understanding of safety regulations related to hazardous materials handling.

11. Knowledge of proper lifting and handling techniques for heavy or bulky items.

12. Proficiency in reading and interpreting technical manuals and diagrams.

13. Skill in operating automated warehouse systems, such as conveyor belts.

14. Competence in operating barcode scanners and inventory tracking devices.

15. Understanding of quality control procedures for incoming and outgoing goods.

16. Knowledge of basic electrical and mechanical principles.

17. Proficiency in using computer applications for data entry and analysis.

18. Understanding of shipping and receiving processes.

19. Skill in operating packaging and labeling equipment.

20. Knowledge of proper storage and handling of perishable goods.

Most In-demand Soft Skills

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

1. Strong attention to detail and accuracy.

2. Excellent organizational and time management skills.

3. Effective communication and interpersonal abilities.

4. Ability to work well in a team and collaborate with colleagues.

5. Physical stamina and the ability to perform tasks that require prolonged standing, bending, or lifting.

6. Flexibility and adaptability to changing work demands.

7. Problem-solving and critical thinking abilities.

8. Positive attitude and willingness to learn and improve.

9. Integrity and a sense of responsibility.

10. Customer service orientation and the ability to handle inquiries or issues professionally.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a Warehouse Technician is responsible for maintaining warehouse operations and ensuring the efficient flow of goods. Their main responsibilities include inventory management, equipment maintenance, and facility upkeep. Alongside technical skills in equipment operation, inventory management systems, and preventive maintenance, soft skills such as attention to detail, organizational abilities, and effective communication are essential for success in this role. Warehouse Technicians contribute to maintaining a well-organized and productive warehouse environment, supporting the overall supply chain of an organization.