How to become A Warehouse Associate

In an increasingly globalised economy that depends heavily on efficient supply chains, Warehouse Associates use their logistics management skills to make sure products remain within easy reach of customers.

• Warehouse Worker
• Warehouse Clerk 
• Warehouse Operator
• Stock Clerk

What do Warehouse Associates do?

A Warehouse Associate would typically need to:

• Complete the logistics required to receive, process, store, maintain, and ship inventory according to purchase orders and store policy
• Receive shipments from manufacturers and distributors and retail product returns
• Examine ingoing and outgoing shipments; inspect goods for likely defects and damages
• Ensure accurate inventory accounting; maintain a meticulous record on the warehouse management system to enable quick location of required goods
• Operate forklifts and other warehouse equipment to move goods around the warehouse, sort, organise, and store them appropriately
• Identify goods to be shipped, using scanners, label, and load them onto delivery vehicles correctly and safely
• Fill, check, and verify customer invoices; maintain updated records of warehouse activity
• Conduct regular audits of warehouse inventory and make sure it is adequate to meet supply demands
• Ensure strict compliance with set safety and hygiene standards to prevent mishaps in the workspace
• Train new recruits and members of the team; come up with ways to make the warehouse operations more efficient

Warehouses are typically located outside town areas. Public transportation facilities may be necessary to go to and fro from the job location. Although the work environment will depend on the company, many Warehouse Associates work in production plants. The workspace size may range from small to large as per the size of the company’s operations. 

Warehouses are often around room temperature. Some with large loading bays are cool in winter and warm in summer months. A few warehouses may require a cooler temperature with cold storage areas to preserve product shelf-life.

Warehouse Associates generally work shifts in early mornings, late nights, and weekends to accommodate shipments and deadlines.

However, research suggests that flexible hours appeal more than salary to the younger generation. There has been an incremental increase in employers willing to give promising employees a chance to adjust their schedules per the job demands.

Finding a new job might seem challenging. Warehouse Associates can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting companies directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies.

Warehouse Associates are generally employed by:

• Manufacturers
• Large Retailers
• Warehouse Operators
• Airports & Ports
• Distribution Companies
• The Armed Forces

Professional associations and organisations, such as The International Warehouse Logistics Association (IWLA), are crucial for Warehouse Associates interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation.

Professional associations provide their members with continuing education, networking opportunities, and mentorship services. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

• Having to organise, store, and manage goods in limited spaces
• Adapting to constantly evolving industry 4.0 technology
• Excess stock resulting in inadequate visibility of available inventory, taxing order preparation and reverse logistics, and additional expenses
• Meticulous collection and recording of data at every step of the supply chain leading to loss of control over the goods and continuity of supply
• Execution times and delays in the supply chain caused by incorrect time management
• Excess inventory and raised storage costs or lack of stock and lost sales resulting from failure to forecast demand correctly due to lack of timely information about the weather and economic conditions
• Delay in the entire supply chain due to inefficient work performance by inadequately trained and badly integrated employees
• Operating heavy machinery and moving heavy goods from shelves and out of trucks without causing harm to self, others or the facility
• Heath issues from having to be on one’s feet and lifting, pushing, pulling, squatting, bending and reaching for goods up to 20 kgs throughout the day

Above all, employers prefer candidates who are physically fit. Invest adequate time and energy in making sure you can handle the duties of a Warehouse Associate comfortably. 

Prior work experience in the fields of parcel delivery, customer service, and sales will help gain valuable transferable skills. Competent warehouse clerks who handle logistics and warehouse packers who pack products for shipment may be promoted as Warehouse Associates.

Summer internships, part-time work at an entry-level position, or short-term paid/voluntary work offer a taste of the work and give valuable insight into how a company or institution operates. 

In addition to building useful contacts and improving one’s prospects of getting a permanent job, such experiences may also help you determine whether the public or private sector is best suited to realise your ambitions. 

Read about the profession and interview or job shadow experts working in warehouse related jobs to prove your commitment to prospective employers.

One does not require a post-secondary education to become a Warehouse Associate.

A high school diploma or equivalent is usually sufficient. Employers prefer candidates with high grades in English, maths, and IT, especially if they must enter data and maintain inventories.

Remember that completing a particular academic course does not guarantee entry into the profession. Be that as it may, professional qualifications and transferable skills may open up more than one door.   Reliable sources that help you make an educated decision include professional associations and employers in your chosen field.

Certification demonstrates a Warehouse Associate’s competence in an essential skillset typically through work experience, training, and passing an examination. 

Accredited certification in forklift driving, distribution and warehousing, production and inventory management, logistics software, and supply chain will help your stand out in a competitive job market and increase your chances of advancement. 

A valid driver’s license may be a necessity for the job. Individual government entities conduct the licensing process. It typically requires passing an examination after meeting eligibility requirements, such as a minimum level of education and training.

Warehouse Associates may also need to undergo an employment background check including but not limited to a person’s work history, education, credit history, motor vehicle reports (MVRs), criminal record, medical history, use of social media, and drug screening.

Performance, experience, and the acquisition of professional qualifications drive the career progression of Warehouse Associates who may become Warehouse Supervisors and eventually be promoted as Warehouse Managers.

With experience, you could also advance to the Warehouse Team Leader or Chargehand position. It is also possible to change career paths and become a Forklift Driver or Warehouse Technician. 

Quality control, freight planning, and distribution are other alternative career options. One could also consider freelancing as a Supply Chain Consultant to more than one company.

The desire to accelerate career growth and personal development has an increasing number of millennials choosing to job hop and build a scattershot resume that showcases ambition, motivation, and the desire to learn a broad range of skills.

Studies prove that job hopping, earlier dismissed as “flaky” behaviour, can lead to greater job fulfilment. Employees searching for a positive culture and interesting work try out various roles and workplaces and learn valuable, transferable skills.

Candidates with adequate physical fitness, customer service, maths and time management skills, and logistics software expertise have the best job prospects if they are practical and can collaborate with a team.

Continuing professional development (CPD) will help an active Warehouse Associate build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity, 

formal education, or self-directed learning.

On-the-job training under the experienced eye of a senior warehouse worker or shipping/receiving clerk is an important component of settling into the role. You may want to acquire additional skills in database management and digital design.

Pursue online post-secondary degrees from accredited institutions. An associate degree in logistics or a bachelor’s degree in supply chain management will promote career advancement and open new opportunities in the supply chain industry. 

Courses in inventory management systems such as SQL, Oracle, or Business Intelligence will enhance your eligibility for promotion. Network and hone your creativity, mentoring, and problem-solving skills to stand out among your peers.

More formal paths include apprenticeship schemes and management trainee schemes which may require a foundation/associate degree, a Higher National Diploma (HND), or a bachelor’s degree in relevant fields.

Training to operate the machinery is essential to become a Forklift Driver.

Tools of The Trade

With automation gaining increasing popularity amongst logistics-based roles, a Warehouse Associate may need to use an iPad, headset, or barcode in carrying out their regular duties. Business management software also contributes to optimum job performance. 

Warehouse Operations Through Time

The earliest warehouses were used as granaries to store food in preparation for famines. When European explorers realised the importance of creating international trade routes, they invested heavily in warehouses located in ports to store goods.

With the expansion of the railroading system, rail depots soon became necessary to store materials. Commercial warehousing came into being in the wake of increased restrictions on railroads that sought to control freight depots.

The need for increased storage of food and essential commodities during World War II improved warehouse functioning by increasing its scope and efficiency. Mechanized methods of storage and retrieval of goods and mass production continued to enhance the role of warehousing in a thriving global supply chain.  

Current Scenario

Despite increased automation in some warehouses, Warehouse Associates will still be required to move materials in most sectors of the economy. The sustained growth of e-commerce propels current demand for employees to prepare orders for pickup or delivery. 

If automation becomes more viable in warehouses, it will limit the need for Warehouse Associates.

Japan inaugurated the first fully automated warehouse in the world in 1969 featuring robotic equipment, data recorders, and conveyor systems.

As a vital cog in a humongous logistics sector that extends around the world, diligent Warehouse Associates who play by the book will guarantee sustainable and long-lasting organisational success.

The warehouse industry is highly dynamic and fast-paced. You can enter after minimal high school education and no college degree and progress rapidly up the promotional ladder! Most importantly, you won’t be saddled by student debt.