Attention: 4 Corner Resources is being used in a phishing scam. Read more about how to protect yourself.

Picker Packer Job Descriptions, Average Salary, Interview Questions

What Does a Picker Packer Do?

Picker packers typically work in warehouses filling orders and assisting with the inventory. They work closely with vendors and warehouse staff to pick up and process orders as they come in. They must be familiar with the layout of the warehouse and inventory and be able to pick and move items as requested. Picker packers need to document items they move to fill orders, so they must have excellent attention to detail and be good with numbers. They pack items, scan barcodes, and move packages to the correct location for shipping. 

Picker packers are responsible for inspecting merchandise and products to ensure they have the right items, are not damaged, and nothing is missing per the order. They must be able to keep accurate inventory records and maintain specific skills depending on the industry or type of warehouse they work at. Individuals in this role should be physically fit, as long-standing, walking, and lifting hours may be required. Organization skills and the ability to work quickly and safely are essential for success. 

Are you a job seeker?

Browse zengig’s
comprehensive list
of job openings
and apply online

National Average Salary

Picker packer 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 Picker Packer is:

$29,570

Picker Packer Job Descriptions

The first step when hiring a great picker packer is a well-crafted job description. Below are real-world examples to help give you the best chance of success on your recruiting journey.

Example 1

At [Your Company Name], we pride ourselves on the dedication and professionalism exhibited every day by the employees working at all levels of our operation. We are currently on the lookout for pickers/packers who can help us maintain that high degree of integrity and continuously push us towards loftier standards of excellence. A model picker/packer is someone who excels at inspecting, separating, and rotating products in an orderly and efficient manner without damaging, misplacing, or otherwise mishandling them. The ability to work quickly without sacrificing accuracy is of paramount importance to us. Our incredible output would not be possible without the coordinated efforts of the many loyal pickers/packers who assist us in readying orders and ferrying them to their designated places day in and day out. If you are experienced in packing, have strong communication skills, and can lift 25+ pounds, please apply.

Typical duties and responsibilities

  • Check inventory, find, and collect merchandise for shipping
  • Verify and record outgoing products
  • Prepare items and assemble packages for shipping
  • Load items as needed to move throughout a distribution center
  • Comply with all warehouse safety rules and guidelines

Education and experience

This position requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Employers prefer candidates with experience working in a warehouse setting.

Required skills and qualifications

  • Ability to read and understand delivery orders, and work with minimal guidance
  • Ability to operate computers and relevant warehouse management software
  • Follow safe work practices and procedures
  • Excellent teamwork skills
  • Physical stamina

Preferred qualifications

  • Ability to establish priorities and accomplish multiple tasks with minimal supervision
  • Basic computer and math skills

Example 2

The Picker/Packer will perform all tasks associated with the proper operation of zones designated for picking and packaging product for shipment.

Key responsibilities

  • Receive and make labels and boxes based on zone and priority
  • Determine and build packaging based on product size
  • Use equipment to determine location of box contents
  • Verify product number to the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) label
  • Use basic mathematics to determine the appropriate number of picks
  • Order additional product from other locations when stock is low
  • Move boxes to additional zones when complete
  • Move and lift up to 50 pounds of product as needed
  • Follow safety regulations

Minimum qualifications

  • Ability to consistently lift, push, and pull up to 50 lbs.
  • Ability to consistently move in a full range of motion
  • Ability to stand for long periods of time

Preferred qualifications

  • High school diploma/GED or equivalent
  • Previous distribution or warehouse experience

Example 3

Accurately and efficiently pick product and prepare orders for shipment observing all safety regulations and ensuring all quality standards are met while maintaining the efficient flow of product through the production process.

Works independently and communicates well with other departments (verbally/written/computer) to move work through the system in an organized fashion.

Functions as a team member within the department and organization, as required, and perform any duties assigned to best serve the company.

Position responsibilities

  • Accurately and efficiently pick and pack product according to established standards
  • Run scanning equipment
  • Pack orders to the customer’s requirement and/or from provided specifications
  • Meet established productivity standards and quality standards
  • Self-identifies mistakes, identify problems and recommend solutions
  • Provide candid and timely feedback to all levels in the organization, involve others in problem-solving when needed, and see all responsibilities through to a successful completion
  • Performs other related duties as assigned

Qualifications

  • High School Diploma or Equivalent
  • Must be able to work the scheduled, assigned times and required overtime for the position
  • Able to stand, walk, reach, and lift repeatedly throughout shift
  • Able to lift, stack, and/or pull products off shelves, as well as replenish products, from various heights weighing between 10-35 pounds and generally up to between approximately 60 and 90 pounds, depending on the location, throughout shift
  • Able to work in multi-temperature environments, i.e. cooler, freezer, and dry
  • Pass pre-employment drug test

Example 4

A Packaging Picker plays a key role in the efficient distribution of our warehouse deliveries and arrivals. Working in conjunction with all warehouse operational staff, a Picker selects, bundles, and organizes products from the warehouse in preparation for loading onto delivery trucks en route to customers. Pickers prepare multiple orders timely and resourcefully throughout the working day.

  • Handles pick tickets/orders from warehouse management/staff to pull items from warehouse inventory
  • Use RF guns and other electronic equipment as necessary.
  • Physically pulls warehouse items by the stated number, size, color, quantity, quality, etc.
  • Compare and inspect physical items pulled to the requirements of the pick ticket/order
  • Packs/wraps orders as required by item/delivery type, and prepares for shipment
  • Transports orders to shipping locations/bins/docks using the proper material handling equipment
  • Ensures that orders are staged correctly for each delivery
  • Operates any material handling equipment following established safety guidelines
  • Assists in maintaining the security and safety of the warehouse
  • May assist in placing incoming items in inventory
  • Participate in conducting warehouse inventory counts as required.

Additional functions and duties

  • Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

  • One or more years of experience coordinating shipments in a warehousing or distribution environment
  • Ability to perform tasks under pressure, and within a deadline driven environment
  • Ability to handle detail oriented work to insure proper items and quantities are picked to arrive at customers in good condition
  • General fluency in English required, verbal and written
  • High school diploma or equivalent

Physical requirements

  • Agility to stand and walk for extended periods of time is a primary job responsibility
  • Capacity to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. intermittently during a typical work shift
  • Observance of established safety guidelines in conducting physical work activity duties

Candidate Certifications to Look For

  • OSHA Safety Certificate. In order to earn an OSHA Safety Certificate, candidates must first complete a 40-hour program covering the standards to which the construction industry and various other industries are expected to adhere. This program will also train them to recognize a variety of potential health issues and safety hazards that OSHA regulations are designed to offset. In addition to the 40-hour program, more than two years of education or training after high school and more than two years of work experience are also required.
  • EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification. In order to earn an EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification, candidates must first complete a comprehensive program focusing on the safe and proper utilization of equipment and machinery. Employees with this certification are far less likely to find themselves involved in workplace accidents. In addition to the aforementioned program, an exam must also be completed.

How to Hire a Picker Packer

There are a number of important initial considerations when hiring a picker packer:

  • Recruiting: Do you have the knowledge, tools, and resources to attract and screen candidates?
  • Complexity: Do you need a senior professional, or will mid or junior-level skills and experience suffice?
  • Duration: Are you hiring for a project or an ongoing need?
  • Urgency: How soon does the opening need to be filled? What happens while it remains open?
  • 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, great options exist for every scenario. These are our recommendations:

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
Purple 4 Corner Resources banner that says award-winning staffing and recruiting solutions with learn more button and picture of female professional

2. Post the 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 picker packer openings:

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.

white and navy CareerBuilder affiliate banner that says post your job and start your free 5-day trial today

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

  • What methods do you use to ensure that items are packed safely and securely to prevent damage during transport?
  • Before packing for shipment, what do you do to ensure that the correct items are selected from inventory and that the quantity is correct?
  • How do you ensure that safety procedures and guidelines are followed when working in a warehouse or distribution center?
  • Do you have any experience with inventory management and tracking systems, and how do you use them for stock management?
  • When it comes to meeting your daily production goals, how do you prioritize your workload?
  • When did you last work in a team to process orders efficiently, and what role did you play?
  • In order for your customers to receive their orders in proper condition and on time, how do you ensure excellent customer service?
  • What is your experience with handheld devices and computer systems used to locate items in warehouses?

Need help hiring a Picker Packer?

We match top professionals with great employers across the country. From filling urgent job openings to developing long-term hiring strategies, our team is here to help. Review our staffing solutions, browse our award-winning Staffing Corner blog, or call today. We look forward to connecting with you soon.

Browse A-Z Job Descriptions