What Does a Package Handler Do?
Package handlers are responsible for sorting and moving packages within a warehouse or distribution center. They work in a fast-paced, physically demanding environment, frequently lifting and moving heavy packages. In addition to sorting and loading packages into trucks efficiently and accurately, they also track packages and resolve any issues that might arise during shipping.
A successful package handler exhibits physical stamina, attention to detail, and teamwork skills. All safety regulations must be followed, and they must maintain a clean, organized work area. These individuals must also be able to perform their duties in a variety of weather conditions and lift up to 70 pounds.
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National Average Salary
Package handler salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. To explore salary ranges by local market, please visit our sister site zengig.com.
The average U.S. salary for a Package Handler is:
$30,000
Package Handler Job Descriptions
Crafting the perfect job description may be the key to finding an exceptional package handler. To help you with your recruiting search, our team has put together some examples from past openings.
Example 1
[Your Company Name] is searching for a package handler to join our team! Whether you’re just beginning your career in package handling, or you’ve been doing it for quite some time, our company will train and support you throughout your duties. As an ideal candidate, you’ll come ready to work with a good attitude, be able to lift up to fifty pounds, and always have a willingness to learn new skills.
Typical duties and responsibilities
- Carry out the day-to-day tasks
- Ensure that clients and customers receive their packages on time and without damage
- Develop, implement, and communicate packing and delivery strategies to streamline work
- Make daily contact with the customer base and build relationships with clients
- Work closely with corporate to improve their view on the job and help the well-being of their coworkers
- Communicate relevant information from department heads
- Review instructions, manage merchandise, and physically deliver all packages for long hours
Education and experience
- At least a high school diploma or equivalent
- No experience is needed at the beginning, and there is room for growth
Required skills and qualifications
- Excellent attention to detail
- Proficiency using Google Maps or GPS systems and a valid drivers license
- Ability to lift and distribute packages of varying weights
- Excellent listening and organization skills
- Clean driving record
Preferred qualifications
- Former packing experience
- Former driving experience, preferably for long distances or long amounts of time
- Experience working in a fast-paced environment with effectiveness and efficiency
- Experience with working in a warehouse
- Forklift operator certification
Example 2
You are
An individual who enjoys fast paced, physical production environment while developing new skills in the commerce industry. You are a hard-working and vital contributor to our company’s success in meeting productivity standards and customer satisfaction ratings.
You will
- Fill client orders while maintaining daily quality and production targets by using an RF Scanner to pick products
- Ship client orders per customer specifications for previously picked products
- Perform all additional duties as required
Your background
- The ability to be dependable and reliable
- A basic enough understanding of English to be able to understand and follow safety and other operational directions communicated in English, irrespective of your native language
- The ability to work overtime which may include weekends, holidays, and or a different shift with little or no advance notice
Preferred
- Prior parcel, fulfillment, warehouse, or equivalent experience
Physical demands and abilities
- The ability to lift up to 50 lbs. with or without accommodations
- The ability to walk, stand, stoop, and bend 80% of the time with or without accommodations
Example 3
A Package Handler compiles, scans, seals, and loads various packages before they’re delivered. Their main duties include placing items into packages, confirming packaging labels, and lifting and loading heavy packages into trucks.
Responsibilities
- Manually move material in packages from one place to another. Whether it be from the truck to the end client, from one truck to another, or from one side of the business to another
- Pack products in boxes by hand and keep a record of the items packed and moved
- Work with material moving machine operators and material recording workers to handle items and keep a record of items
- Communicate with co-workers and clients to ensure the safe and on-time delivery of goods. *Companies want packages to be delivered on time and without damage
- Handle physically demanding movements like pushing, pulling, bending down, and lifting of packages
- Responsible for handling packages without dropping or other brisk movements that could damage them
Requirements
- High school diploma/GED
Skills
- Good customer service skills
- Good coordination skills
- Good attention to detail
- Physical strength and stamina are needed to handle the varied weights of packages for long hours
Example 4
As a member of our team, you’ll thrive in a safety-first work environment where your voice matters. We will empower you to build, grow, and unleash your full potential. You will be recognized for your hard work and commitment, and we can’t wait for you to join the pack!
What you’ll do
- Fulfillment Specialist do a wide range of warehouse functions; labeling, replenishing, box making, loading/unloading trailers, moving stowed product to various locations using a Forklift and or Movexx
- Fulfill and organize orders to ensure customer delivery process is efficient and accurate
- Create accurate shipping documentation for domestic shipments
- Utilize Power Industrial Trucks, material handling equipment, safely and efficiently, to receive or transport products to storage and staging locations
Requirements
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Willing to be trained on PIT equipment (Powered Industrial Trucks)
Candidate Certifications to Look For
While there may not be many special certifications that candidates can get to be package handlers, work experience can help them move up within a company. Also obtaining a forklift operator license can help them secure a higher paying job within the warehouse.
How to Hire a Package Handler
Consider the following when hiring a package handler:
- Recruiting: Do you have the internal resources and tools to source and recruit for this role successfully?
- Complexity: Do you need a senior professional, or will mid, or even junior-level skills suffice?
- Duration: Is this a one-time project, or an indefinite need?
- Management: Can you effectively direct the work effort?
- Urgency: Are there any deadlines associated with this need?
- Headcount: Do you have the budget and approval for an internal employee, or should you consider alternate options?
Answering these questions will help determine the best course of action for your current hiring need. Fortunately, various great options exist for every scenario, no matter how unique. For hiring a package handler, we recommend the following options:
1. Use 4 Corner Resources (or another professional recruiting firm)
The heavy lifting is done for you when working with a top-tier staffing company like 4 Corner Resources. We source, screen, recruit, and deliver only the most qualified candidate(s), saving you significant time and effort throughout the hiring process while you remain focused on your core business. Understanding your needs and ensuring the right candidate for the position is the key to our success.
This is the best route to take when:
- You need to fill the position quickly
- You want access to a vast talent pool of high-quality, prescreened candidates
- Your position is suited for temporary hiring services, contract staffing, or contract-to-hire recruiting, and you intend to direct the work activity.
- You are hiring an employee as a direct placement but aren’t able to recruit effectively or efficiently with your internal staff.
- You aren’t familiar with current salary rates, market trends, and available skill sets
2. Advertise your opening on a top job board
Your best option may be to advertise your opening on a proven job board. There are many widely used job sites out there that draw visits from qualified candidates. If you have someone internally who can dedicate the time and energy to sort through applications and screen individuals effectively, this can be a great choice.
We recommend using a job board when:
- Your internal recruiting team has the knowledge and experience to assess candidate qualifications
- You are hiring a direct employee and have time to manage the entire recruiting effort
- You have a process for receiving, screening, and tracking all resumes and applications
- You are prepared to respond to all applicants
We recommend CareerBuilder for a package handler opening:
CareerBuilder
CareerBuilder has been a trusted source for hiring since 1995. Reach 80+ million unique, diverse U.S. job seekers annually by posting your jobs through their talent acquisition channels. Through CareerBuilder, you can engage candidates and drive them into your sourcing pipeline. We recommend using CareerBuilder for hiring when you have the internal resources and processes to review, screen, and reply to all applicants.
3. Leverage your internal resources
You can utilize your own website, social media, and employees to assist in your search for top candidates.
A company website posting should be the first step in notifying prospective candidates that you are hiring. Social media can also be a powerful tool for spreading the word about your new opening. As far as exposure is concerned, this option can be as good as some job boards when you have a large enough following across various platforms, like LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Twitter.
Current employees are every organization’s greatest asset. Encourage your internal team to promote job openings to their network by offering cash and other incentives.
We recommend these options when:
- Your brand has great name recognition
- You can consistently monitor and respond to candidate activity through your website and social media accounts
- You have a process in place to quickly and broadly communicate job openings and requirements
- You have an effective employee referral program in place
If you aren’t sure which path is best, schedule a discovery call today with our seasoned recruiting professionals. The 4 Corner team is on standby to help you find the best option for your unique hiring need.
Sample Interview Questions
- As a package handler, how do you prioritize and manage your workload?
- Tell me about a time when you had to work under pressure to meet a tight deadline.
- What steps do you take to ensure packages are correctly sorted and loaded?
- What are your procedures for handling damaged or lost packages during shipping?
- When handling packages, what precautions do you take to ensure safety?
- Keeping track of multiple packages at once can be challenging. How do you stay organized?
- What examples can you provide of your previous experience demonstrating attention to detail?
- What is your approach to handling the job’s physical demands, such as lifting heavy packages for extended periods of time?
- What is your experience with warehouse management systems or other tracking software?
- How do you coordinate with other team members to ensure all packages are sorted and loaded efficiently?