working as a warehouse associate

Each year, a series of experts consult to develop the list of the 15 best jobs with the best salary projections, job availability and opportunity for career development.

You can also dive in:

• the 10 highest paid jobs in canada in 2023
• the best manufacturing jobs in canada in 2023
• the most in-demand skills for manufacturing jobs in 2023

This warehouse associate role is part of the top 15 Best Jobs in Canada in 2023, ranking in 7th position.

Here's why.

what is the job of a warehouse worker? 

A warehouse worker is usually responsible for receiving, processing, and shipping goods and materials. Warehouse workers typically hold entry-level positions but play an essential role in the production and transportation process. They handle many duties, including cleaning, stocking, picking, packing, and other routine tasks. In most cases, they need no specialized skills to secure a job as a general labourer, so it can be a good role for entry-level workers to start a career in the logistics industry.

why is this job in demand?

In the first quarter of 2022, the job vacancies for warehouse workers jumped to 957,500, the highest number ever recorded. The main reason that warehouse workers are in demand is that the Canadian market keeps shopping. At one point during the pandemic, everyone relied on warehouse workers to process their goods for them. There is a demand for goods, which means there is a demand for talent across the supply chain, with the most significant gap being warehouse workers. With the high demand, many job opportunities are available for both skilled and unskilled workers.

what are the career prospects?

It's expected job prospects for a warehouse worker in Canada to be good. There are many current job openings, and there will be an anticipated total of 15,700 job openings between now and 2028. The continual increase in demand for goods complied with the current talent scarcity means that there will continue to be job openings. Warehouse workers are in need in sectors such as storekeepers and parts persons, production logistics coordinators and purchasing and inventory control workers.

what can you expect in terms of salary?

For warehouse workers, entry-level positions can vary $17/h to $24/h, mid-level: $20/h to $28/h and senior:   $22/h  to $29/h

Where you will get the best salary: Edmonton, Alberta

what skills do you need to thrive on the job?

Warehouse workers need effective communication skills because there is a need to speak with coworkers, employers, and clients. Organization and speed are the top skills required to succeed as a warehouse worker. Warehouse team members need to be detail-oriented and well-organized so that everyone else down the line can perform their job efficiently. They also need to be speedy, as they often must adhere to strict timelines, so they must work quickly without compromising safety and quality.

what is the job of a warehouse worker? 

A warehouse worker is usually responsible for receiving, processing, and shipping goods and materials. Warehouse workers typically hold entry-level positions but play an essential role in the production and transportation process. They handle many duties, including cleaning, stocking, picking, packing, and other routine tasks. In most cases, they need no specialized skills to secure a job as a general labourer, so it can be a good role for entry-level workers to start a career in the logistics industry.

what do warehouse associate jobs entail?

You will be responsible for products entering or leaving your warehouse. You will receive new stock and pack and ship items that are heading out. You will also handle a degree of administrative work, such as issuing invoices to customers and keeping records of any shipments.

what is a typical work schedule for warehouse associates

Warehouse associates work a variety of schedules. Some warehouse associates may work a reliable 40-hour week that loosely follows the regular business hours of 9 am to 5 pm. However, shift work is common in this line of work, so you may find yourself working less sociable hours, such as evenings or nights. You may also be placed on a rota system, meaning you could be working a variety of shifts throughout the month. Part-time hours are also common in this profession, such as weekend-only work or limited weekday hours.

what are common warehouse associate interview questions?

Preparation is key in many walks of life, and job interviews are no exception. You can't prepare for everything, of course, since there is no way of knowing what you will be asked, but there are some common questions that you are likely to be asked when applying for a warehouse associate role. These include:

• What made you interested in our company? Warehouse work is mostly the same regardless of the type of industry. As a result of this fact, your employer may want to know what made you choose them specifically. It will help your chances if you can show that you have done some research on the company, rather than just blindly applying for a job vacancy.
• Why do you want to work in a warehouse? When answering this question, be honest but also tactical. It may be the truth that you need a job that doesn't require you to have a bachelor's degree, but your employer will be looking for something more concrete. Try to identify what appeals to you about the role, or talk about the traits you have that suit the duties you will be performing.
• What experience do you have with inventory management software? It will not necessarily be a deal-breaker if you have no prior experience with inventory management software. But, if you do have any, your employer will want to know what software and how much experience. As a warehouse associate, you will routinely be using inventory management systems, so some prior experience will be positive.

warehouse associate resume and cover letter requirements

Your cover letter is your ticket to a job interview. It is how your potential employers will form their first impressions of you. You should take care to ensure it is well-formatted and free of errors. Introduce yourself but don't ramble. Try to talk about why you feel you will be a good fit for their company, and highlight any relevant experience or qualifications you have. In the resume, make sure you include the following information;

• Name and contact information
• Brief summary of experience/skills
• Employment history
• Education/qualifications
• Awards/certifications
• Examples of accomplishments
• Work-related skills

what is the job outlook for warehouse associates?

On the one hand, growing population numbers and increased consumerism have seen the number of warehouses grow considerably in recent years. It has also seen the creation of some of the largest warehouses in history. On the other hand, warehousing is one area where automation is making considerable inroads. Generally speaking, there will be plenty of demand for this position for at least the foreseeable future. However, the experience gained in this role is transferrable to others of the same type or with more responsibility.

what are the pros of warehouse associate jobs?

• Opportunities for career progression: There are many roles in a warehouse setting, including supervisory roles and, ultimately, warehouse manager. Being a warehouse associate will put you in a position to move into other warehouse roles if you choose. Most companies will allow progression up the ranks to higher-paying roles.
• Relatively low entry-level requirements: As far as education goes, most companies will only require that you have a high school diploma in order to be considered for this role. They may also require forklift certification, but this is not always the case, and some employers offer forklift training.
• Responsibility: While not a leadership role, the role of warehouse associate comes with a good deal of responsibility. That can be useful if you decide to go for a more senior leadership role, such as warehouse supervisor. These responsibilities will look good on your resume.

what are the cons of warehouse associate jobs?

• A physically demanding role: Though you will have appropriate equipment for dealing with particularly heavy items, this role is still a physically demanding one. You will be on your feet for most of the day and will have to carry things around. You won't need to be an athlete or weightlifter to do this job, but you will need to be in decent shape.
• The work environment can be industrial: Warehouses are typically busy, sometimes noisy environments and are rarely climate-controlled. You will need to be comfortable working in this environment to succeed as a warehouse associate. It should be noted that, while warehouses are less comfortable to work in than, say, an office, they are not as loud or dangerous as a typical factory floor.

what are the different types of warehouse associate jobs?

"Warehouse associate" is a type of warehouse worker and about as granular as it is possible to be in this field. That means there aren't really "types" of warehouse associates since this role is the type. Other roles within the warehouse setting involve specific elements of a warehouse associate's role and are often confused with one another. For the sake of clarity, we have included them here:

• Warehouse associate: This is the role discussed on this page and is essentially an "everyman" role. A warehouse associate will do a little bit of everything, from moving goods around to tracking inventory, as well as preparing orders and taking deliveries.
• Warehouse loader: A warehouse loader packs and loads goods, ensuring that they will be safe during transit. They may also be responsible for tracking shipments.
• Warehouse clerk: Warehouse clerks are responsible for recording orders and keeping track of them to ensure they get to the customer.
• Forklift operator: Forklift operators use forklift trucks to move heavy items around the warehouse, including loading and unloading goods.

what are the duties and responsibilities of warehouse associates?

Warehouse associates have many responsibilities. As mentioned above, this role is an amalgamation of other warehouse worker roles. Warehouse associates take on several tasks that would fall under the remit of other workers, such as using forklifts. Here are the key duties and responsibilities you will have as a warehouse associate:

• Maintain inventory records: You will need to document stock as it arrives or leaves and produce regular stock reports. This responsibility includes reporting things like damaged or missing items.
• Organize stock: Part of your role will be to ensure that things go where they need to go. Improper warehouse organization can cost a company significantly, so you will need to make sure that items can be found when needed.
• Verify incoming shipments: Deliveries will need to be checked over, ostensibly to make sure the delivery is correct, but also to check for damage. Then, as per the responsibilities above, they will need to be properly recorded and organized.
• Ensure proper packaging and labelling: When items leave the warehouse, they will need to be properly packaged and labelled. This ensures that they arrive where they need to and do so without suffering any damage.
• Issue invoices to customers: Usually, as part of the inventory management system, you may need to issue invoices to customers after the stock has been shipped out or collected.
• Observe safety regulations: A crucial part of any warehousing role is always to observe the necessary safety regulations. There can be many risks in a warehouse, from forklifts moving around to lifting heavy items. Ensuring you don't break health and safety regulations should keep you and others safe.

where do warehouse associates typically work?

Warehouse associates will work almost entirely in a warehouse setting. Warehouses are rarely climate-controlled beyond what might be required by employment law, so you will face low temperatures during colder months. Expect concrete floors, noisy vehicles, and the need for protective clothing such as hardhats.

what is the average salary for a warehouse associate?

As a warehouse associate, you can earn around $16 per hour. With an average schedule of 40 hours per week, that translates to a salary of around $31,000 per year. This can be significantly affected by your hours, of course. If you do a lot of overtime or work part-time, your pay will reflect that. There isn't much pay variation for this role in Canada, with the lower end of the pay scale at approximately $29,000 per year and higher earners making around $37,000 per year.

average warehouse associate salaries in canada

• annual: $31,000
• monthly: $2,560
• weekly: $640
• hourly: $16

Top paying areas for warehouse associates in Canada include: Saskatchewan, British Columbia, and Quebec.

what are the duties and responsibilities of warehouse associates?

Warehouse associates have many responsibilities. As mentioned above, this role is an amalgamation of other warehouse worker roles. Warehouse associates take on several tasks that would fall under the remit of other workers, such as using forklifts. Here are the key duties and responsibilities you will have as a warehouse associate:

• Maintain inventory records: You will need to document stock as it arrives or leaves and produce regular stock reports. This responsibility includes reporting things like damaged or missing items.
• Organize stock: Part of your role will be to ensure that things go where they need to go. Improper warehouse organization can cost a company significantly, so you will need to make sure that items can be found when needed.
• Verify incoming shipments: Deliveries will need to be checked over, ostensibly to make sure the delivery is correct, but also to check for damage. Then, as per the responsibilities above, they will need to be properly recorded and organized.
• Ensure proper packaging and labelling: When items leave the warehouse, they will need to be properly packaged and labelled. This ensures that they arrive where they need to and do so without suffering any damage.
• Issue invoices to customers: Usually, as part of the inventory management system, you may need to issue invoices to customers after the stock has been shipped out or collected.
• Observe safety regulations: A crucial part of any warehousing role is always to observe the necessary safety regulations. There can be many risks in a warehouse, from forklifts moving around to lifting heavy items. Ensuring you don't break health and safety regulations should keep you and others safe.

where do warehouse associates typically work?

Warehouse associates will work almost entirely in a warehouse setting. Warehouses are rarely climate-controlled beyond what might be required by employment law, so you will face low temperatures during colder months. Expect concrete floors, noisy vehicles, and the need for protective clothing such as hardhats.

what skills and competencies do warehouse associates need?

The skills needed to be a good warehouse associate mostly revolve around organizational ability and other related skills. You will not be responsible for other workers, but you will be responsible for stock. Fortunately, all of these skills can be developed. They include:

• Detail-oriented: Having a detail-oriented mind can help you when dealing with a large number of deliveries and shipments. Spotting problems early can save you and your organization a lot of problems in the long run.
• Organized: Keeping things organized is essential to the proper running of a warehouse. You will need to ensure things go where they are supposed to and that records are properly kept. These are all things that will come easier for someone who has strong organizational skills.
• Good time management: Time management is one of those things that is often underappreciated until the impact of poor time management is felt. You will need to handle delivery schedules, ensure items are packaged and ready to go for deliveries, and see that items are put away in good time. Having good time management skills will make it easier to keep things on schedule.
• Interpersonal skills: Warehouse work isn't always the most social of jobs, but your role as warehouse associate is a little more sociable than most. You will have to interact with almost all warehouse areas in the course of your duties. This makes good interpersonal skills important.

what training and certifications do warehouse associates need?

As mentioned earlier on the page, the academic requirements for getting hired as a warehouse associate are pretty low. Most employers will require that you have a high school diploma at least. Some employers may require you to have certification in forklift operation, but this is not always the case, and you can often find an employer willing to train new staff on forklift use. Many employers will require some experience working in a warehouse setting or a similar logistics-based field. The usual requirement is at least two years of experience.

Make sure your resume is up-to-date, including information about your technical skills and certifications. Then share it with us to connect with a recruiter and be matched with job opportunities.