what is a picker packer?
As a picker packer, you fulfill orders by hand. Your work day starts with receiving order forms from customers or a digital list of items to be shipped. You pick the items in the warehouse and confirm the order quantities to prepare them for shipping. Once you assemble orders for a customer, you start packing them. In the packaging stage, your duties include adding cushioning materials like packing peanuts or bubble wrap to avoid damage in transit. After sealing the package, you add a label to indicate the items, order number and shipping address.
Sometimes, you assist warehouse workers in loading trucks and ensuring all deliveries are loaded. After fulfilling an order, you update the system to show that the order is fulfilled and the items are in transit. Due to the nature of your tasks, you are mostly on your feet. Physical strength helps you stand for long hours and lift boxes easily.
Most of your work will be selecting items from the storage shelves and preparing them for shipment. Hence, you require detail-oriented skills to get the orders right. Paying attention to details like colours, item sizes and product features is crucial.
Would working as a picker packer suit your detail-oriented skills and physical strength? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a picker packer role.
picker packer jobsaverage picker packer salary
According to Job Bank, the average salary of a picker packer is $16.50 per hour or $32,175 per year. Entry-level positions attract a salary of $29,250 annually, while experienced picker packers take home over $38,092 annually.
what factors affect the salary of a picker packer?
As a picker packer, your earnings depend on the hours you work. Most companies offer full-time work hours and part-time opportunities. When you work full-time, your earnings are higher than employees working part-time. You are also likely to receive additional benefits, depending on the company. Picker packers working overtime also receive higher salaries since the extra shifts have higher hourly rates.
Your location in Canada also influences your earnings. When you work in a big city like Alberta, the demand for picker packers is high due to the large volume of orders and the need for prompt deliveries. The high demand raises hourly rates, and you take home a higher salary than picker packers in smaller towns.
While educational qualifications may not carry much weight when negotiating your salary, your experience does. When you are new to the role, you earn a lower salary than picker packers with minimal experience.
types of picker packers
The types of picker packers depend on the industry and duties, including:
- warehouse picker packers: as a warehouse picker packer, you fulfill customer orders from a warehouse. You pick items and prepare them for transport. After assembling the orders, you pack them securely and hand them to the delivery workers for shipping.
- grocery picker packers: as a picker packer in a grocery store, you fulfill orders for food, groceries and fruits. Your job is to pick fruits and vegetables in the correct quantities and prepare them for shipping. You ensure the products remain fresh during delivery.
working as a picker packer
Working as a picker packer involves preparing items for shipping and ensuring they meet the customer's specifications. Here are the duties, responsibilities and work environments of picker packers.
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what does a picker packer do?
The duties and responsibilities of picker packers include:
- picking orders accurately: as a picker packer, you are expected to pick up the orders accurately. You check customer specifications, like quantity and colours, to ensure you get the orders right. You also handle the items carefully to ensure they reach customers in mint condition. Aside from ensuring accuracy, you pick up the orders quickly to avoid any delays in shipping.
- wrapping and packing orders: as a picker packer, you pack orders in the right containers to ensure they aren't damaged during transit. You wrap and cushion the items using various materials and then put them into boxes.
- labelling orders: as a picker packer, you ensure the boxes that leave the warehouse are properly labelled for easy identification. After sealing the items, you add a label with details of the products, quantity and order number to simplify the work of delivery workers. You also assist with the loading of delivery trucks.
- updating the order system: most companies use software to monitor the shipping process to ensure customers receive their orders on time. When you pack an item and add it to the delivery van, you update the system, indicating that the order has been fulfilled and is ready for transit.
- maintaining the cleanliness of the work area: as a picker packer, you ensure your work area remains clean throughout the shift. After packing the products, you clear the area and remove any excess wrappers or items to avoid mixing up the products.
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work environment of a picker packer
Picker packers usually work in warehouse and manufacturing settings. In a manufacturing or factory environment, you pick finished products and prepare them for shipping. In a warehouse, you fulfill orders by removing the items from the storage areas and preparing them for transit. In both work environments, your duties require standing, squatting and walking for long hours. You also lift relatively heavy products and sometimes work with cutting tools. Hence, it is important to wear safety gear, such as eye protection and steel-toed boots. When working in a retail environment, you may need to wear a uniform while packing groceries for customers.
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who are your colleagues?
As a picker packer, you interact with many kinds of factory, warehouse and retail professionals. For instance, you work alongside factory managers, production supervisors and material handlers. In a warehouse, you are likely to interact with warehouse associates, forklift operators and warehouse managers. In a retail setting, you work with sales associates, customer service representatives and sales managers. You may also work with digital marketing coordinators and social media managers.
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picker packer work schedule
As a picker packer, you work early-morning or late-night shifts to ensure all customer deliveries are made on time. Shifts run from 8 to 12 hours, and you sometimes work up to 40 hours a week if you hold a full-time position. Most companies have flexible working hours for picker packers, and you can find part-time positions and contract jobs.
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career opportunities as a picker packer
A picker packer is an entry-level role in the warehouse or retail environment. You can progress to higher levels, such as a warehouse manager or associate. In a retail environment, you can become a sales associate before working your way up to the role of a retail manager.
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advantages of finding a job as a picker packer through randstad
Working with Randstad offers you a range of benefits.
- always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
- many training opportunities
- a range of jobs in your area
picker packer skills and education
Some of the requirements to become a picker packer include the following:
- secondary school education: most employers hire picker packers with secondary school education and provide on-the-job training. A warehouse operations or retail course may also prepare you for the role, and it increases your chances of employment.
- work experience: having work experience helps you progress faster in the warehouse industry. You don't need prior experience when first starting out, but having a retail or warehouse operations background prepares you for a picker packer role.
competencies and characteristics of picker packers
Some of the skills required by picker packers include:
- attention to detail: as a picker packer, your main role is to fulfil customers' orders accurately to minimize returns. Your detail-oriented skills help you pick out the correct items, from the quantity size to the colours. Ensuring the labelling is accurate is important to avoid deliveries to the wrong addresses.
- technical and computer skills: as a picker packer, you should be familiar with order management software to update when an order is fulfilled. Managing inventory management software helps you find out if an item is in stock and locate the items in the warehouse. You also use machines to pick items from the storage areas.
- teamwork skills: as a picker packer, you require good communication and collaboration to work well with others. Your teamwork skills help you work efficiently with others and fulfil customers' orders faster.
- time management skills: as a picker packer, you handle multiple orders, and it is important to be fast to avoid delivery delays. Time management skills help you meet deadlines and prioritize tasks.
FAQs
Here, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the profession of a picker packer.
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what are your duties as a picker packer?
As a picker packer, you are responsible for picking up customers' orders and packaging them before delivery. Your job is to inspect merchandise and products to ensure you have the right item quantities and that nothing is missing per order. When you are packing, you ensure the items are not damaged. Other duties involve keeping accurate inventory records.
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how much do picker packers earn in Canada?
As a picker packer, you earn $32,175 per year or $16.50 per hour. In an entry-level position, you start with a salary of $29,250 annually, but the amount increases gradually with experience. The highest-paid picker packers earn over $38,092 yearly. The earnings usually depend on the duties you carry out and the types of products you handle.
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is being a picker packer a hard job?
Being a picker packer is a good career, but it can get repetitive. You spend most of the day repeating tasks for different clients. You also work on your feet most of your work shift, which could be eight hours to 12 hours. That means you should be comfortable with routine tasks and ready to do some heavy lifting during packaging.
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is a picker the same as a packer?
A picker removes the ordered items from shelves in warehouses. They pick items on the order form or picking slips and take them to the packaging areas. A packer is responsible for packing orders and getting them ready for transport.
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do you need a degree to become a picker packer?
You do not need a formal education to work as a picker packer in Canada. Having your secondary school education prepares you for the role. If you want to improve your qualifications, pursue a course in warehouse operations. It is also important to possess excellent soft skills like teamwork to excel in a picker packer role.
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how do I find a job as a picker packer?
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