The warehouse industry is without a doubt one of the fastest growing industries in the United States. Despite normalcy returning, the afterglow of a year defined by ecommerce – and consequently, the expansion of warehouses – is here to stay.
According to recent figures, there has never been more people working in warehouses than there are today. Not only are the jobs plentiful, but they are becoming more lucrative, flexible and some even come along with perks such as overtime pay, possibility for upward internal mobility and health insurance. The world of warehouse work is one that is ripe with opportunity – are you interested in getting in on the action?
Learn about five of the most popular warehouse positions below.
Warehouse Associate
If you aren’t sure exactly what type of role you are interested in and want to get a general understanding of how a warehouse operates, an associate position could be a great option. Warehouse associates typically don’t have a defined set of duties and are more of a “jack-of-all-trades” type of employee – but it is arguably one of the most vital positions.
A typical day-to-day could range from shipping and receiving, to customer service, to inventory, and everything in between, and they offer a world of support to their colleagues to ensure the entire operation runs smoothly. The average salary is around $28,000 a year. This is a great entry-level role and can often require little to no experience; however, having a forklift license or experience with various warehouse equipment is always beneficial. This job can help determine what tasks you excel at and want to pursue down the line. It also offers significant potential for upward advancement.
Shipping & Receiving
Shipping and receiving employees are responsible for picking, packing, shipping and receiving shipments that come and leave the warehouse. They can also be accountable for tasks such as quality assurance, inventory management, order management and organization, as well as anything else that can lead to an efficient shipping process. This role requires a great deal of attention to detail, as shipping errors can be extremely expensive, costing up to 5% of a company’s yearly revenue. Some of the top skills that employers want for this role include great time management, organizational skills, and the proven ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
Forklift or Machine Operators
Warehouses, especially large ones, require machinery and forklifts in order to transport goods around the facility and ensure optimal efficacy at every step. Operating machinery typically requires some degree of experience, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be directly related. Having a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record usually suffices for getting a forklift operation jobs. In addition, showing a degree of responsibility and accuracy is necessary – candidates may have to complete a test run before starting on the job to determine competency. At some point, candidates will need to obtain a forklift license that demonstrates they are compliant with the Occupational Health & Safety Act (OHSA).
Warehouse Manager
The warehouse manager directs and oversees the overall operations of the facility and facilitates communication between different levels of the supply chain such as distributors and retailers.
Working in a management role in a warehouse is a good fit for someone who may have managerial experience in a different setting and wants to transition into this field. Some knowledge of various management or logistics software may also be required (or the ability to learn quickly). Even if you don’t have directly related experience, many transferable skills such as problem-solving and leadership can be applied to this role. On average, warehouse managers make around $86,000 a year, which is reflective of the responsibility it carries.
Inventory Manager
If your strengths include organization, communication, and analytics, working in inventory is a clear choice. Inventory associates are in charge of ensuring there is enough inventory to fulfill orders, making sure fulfillment and shipping quotas are being met, analyzing reports and reordering products as necessary, and a number of other duties.
Working directly with inventory management gives you great experience coordinating with other players in the logistics stream and sufficient practice mitigating inventory issues. Inventory managers also have a high earning potential: the average salary is around $60,000, but can climb as high as $123,000, commensurate with experience.
Want to learn more about working in a warehouse or find a new position? Select Staff has been staffing various locations around Texas for over forty years and would be happy to help. Contact us today.