What skills does a warehouse order picker need?

A warehouse order picker needs 24 essential skills including types of packaging used in industrial shipments, weigh shipments, operate warehouse record systems, check shipments, maintain physical condition of warehouse. Core competencies include .

Will AI replace warehouse order picker jobs?

The AI disruption score for warehouse order picker is 65/100 (high risk). Some tasks may be automated but the role will evolve rather than disappear entirely.

Manufacturing & ProductionLabourers in mining, construction, manufacturing and transportISCO 9333

warehouse order picker

Warehouse order pickers prepare orders manually. They pick up orders and bring them to the delivery platform for processing, or in the trade sector to allow customers to pick them up. They are expected to complete orders for shipment, keeping in mind the quantity and type of goods specified and meeting quality criteria established by the company. They also assemble various types of merchandise for shipment and transport orders to shipping locations as specified by a supervisor. They typically stack bundled articles on pallet by hand, are responsible for wrapping articles on the pallet to secure them while moving, and for ensuring the integrity of the pallet.

About warehouse order picker

As a warehouse order picker, you are the critical link between customer orders and product delivery, responsible for accurately and efficiently selecting merchandise from inventory and preparing it for shipment. Your day involves navigating through warehouse aisles, reading order specifications, picking items with precision, and ensuring all packages meet quality standards before they leave the facility. You will work in fast-paced environments where accuracy and speed are equally important, handling diverse product types and volumes while maintaining safety standards and protecting goods from damage during the picking, packing, and palletizing process.

Key Work Functions

Core areas of responsibility for a warehouse order picker.

Pick and Prepare Orders

Receive order specifications and systematically pick items from warehouse shelves and bins
Verify quantities and types of goods against order documents to ensure accuracy
Transport picked items to the delivery platform or customer pickup area as directed

Pack and Assemble Shipments

Assemble various types of merchandise into organized shipment units meeting company specifications
Wrap and secure items on pallets using appropriate materials and techniques
Ensure proper labeling and documentation for all orders and shipments

Maintain Pallet Integrity and Safety

Stack bundled articles on pallets by hand following proper load distribution principles
Wrap and secure pallets to prevent product shifting or damage during transport
Conduct quality checks to verify pallet stability and load integrity before shipment

Work Efficiently and Safely

Operate warehouse equipment such as forklifts or pallet jacks safely and appropriately
Follow all safety protocols and wear required protective equipment to prevent injuries
Maintain an organized work area and return equipment and materials to designated storage locations

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (24)

types of packaging used in industrial shipmentstypes of packaging used in industrial shipmentsThe various types of packaging materials used for industrial shipments, according to the type of goods to be shipped.weigh shipmentsweigh shipmentsWeigh shipments and calculate the maximum weights and dimensions, per package or per item, for each consignment.operate warehouse record systemsoperate warehouse record systemsOperate systems for recording product, packaging, and order information in specific formats and types of record.check shipmentscheck shipmentsInspect and verify the content, condition and status of shipments, goods and packages that are being transported, to ensure that inbound and outbound shipments are accurate and undamaged. It involves ...maintain physical condition of warehousemaintain physical condition of warehouseDevelop and Implement new warehouse layouts in order to maintain facilities in good working order; issue work orders for repair and replacement operations.use packaging equipmentuse packaging equipmentUse fastening and packaging tools such as plastic strapping, applicators and adhesives, marking and labelling equipment, and tape.operate voice picking systemsoperate voice picking systemsOperate voice pick systems applying various picking methods; work using verbal instructions and prompts via headphones and a microphone.stack goodsstack goodsStack goods and manufactured products into containers. This may include anticipating the need for and utilising additional protective materials in stacking the products.follow written instructionsfollow written instructionsFollow written directions in order to perform a task or carry out a step-by-step procedure.ensure efficient utilisation of warehouse spaceensure efficient utilisation of warehouse spacePursue an effective use of warehouse space ensuring maximum efficiency while meeting environmental and budgetary goals.manage warehouse inventorymanage warehouse inventoryManage warehouse inventory and control storage and movement of warehouse goods. Monitor transactions such as shipping, receiving and putaway.maintain material handling equipmentmaintain material handling equipmentIdentify and report malfunctions and damage to material handling equipment. Manage battery connections.operate material handling equipmentoperate material handling equipmentPerform general physical activities in warehouse such as loading, unloading and sorting goods; operate handling equipment.use warehouse marking toolsuse warehouse marking toolsLabel containers and container tags or products; use warehouse marking and labelling tools.lift heavy weightslift heavy weightsLift heavy weights and apply ergonomic lifting techniques to avoid damaging the body.secure goodssecure goodsFasten bands around stacks or articles prior to shipment or storage.operate chainsawoperate chainsawOperate mechanical chainsaw powered by electricity, compressed air or gasoline.process orders from online shopprocess orders from online shopProcess orders from web shop; direct sales, packaging and shipment.comply with checklistscomply with checklistsFollow checklists and ensure compliance with all the items included in them.maintain stock control systemsmaintain stock control systemsKeep stock control systems up to date and ensure inventory accuracy.maintain warehouse databasemaintain warehouse databaseKeep digital warehouse database up-to-date and multi-accessible.store warehouse goodsstore warehouse goodsTransport goods in the warehouse and place them in the designated locations with precision in order maximise use of space. Operate forklifts or other instruments to facilitate this activity.process customer ordersprocess customer ordersHandle orders placed by customers. Receive the customer order and define a list of requirements, a working process, and a time frame. Execute the work as planned.pick orders for dispatchingpick orders for dispatchingPick orders in warehouses destined for dispatching, ensuring that correct numbers and types of goods are loaded and dispatched. Tag and mark product items as requested.

Optional (6)

warehousing regulationswarehousing regulationsThe set of laws, regulations and security requirements governing the provision of warehousing activities in a given territory.deliver outstanding servicedeliver outstanding serviceProvide outstanding customer service by exceeding customer expectations; establish reputation as an exceptional service provider.assemble goodsassemble goodsAssemble goods coming from in manufacturing processes or in removing activities.identify damaged goods before shipmentidentify damaged goods before shipmentIdentify damaged goods before packaging and shipping following established procedures.manage transport of goods from warehouse facilitiesmanage transport of goods from warehouse facilitiesKnow the goods transported from warehouse facilities. Understand the legal and safety requirements of goods, the hazards that materials may represent. Provide solutions and appropriate direction for t...warehouse operationswarehouse operationsThe basic principles and practices of warehouse operations such as goods storage and the organisation of warehouse facilities.