Know Why a Career in Warehouse Packing/Picking Might be Right for You?

Do you want to help the supply chain operations industry in picking and packaging various orders? Do you want to leave formal education early and be on your feet as soon as you can? Then you can take up Warehouse Picker and Packer as a career option which will help you earn decent money. Warehouse Packers/Pickers are involved in the functions of picking and packing merchandise (goods or products that are bought and sold) at warehouses to make the merchandise ready for dispatch or further shipment

Why become a Warehouse Packer/Picker? 

As a Warehouse Packer/Picker, you will be involved in the functions of picking and packing merchandise (goods or products that are bought and sold) at warehouses to make the merchandise ready for dispatch or further shipment. 

You will check order memos and lists (orders or lists of goods to be shipped) either in a print-out or on a desktop computer, tab, or another handheld digital device. You will then check the inventory or stock of goods or products, pick the goods from racks or storage places as per order, pack them, and make them ready for further shipment.

Packing and making goods ready for shipping involves the usage of appropriate packing materials and containers/ boxes/ packets, placing or wrapping goods in such a way so that the goods do not break during shipment, labeling, and maintaining records. You will need to enter data in a process checklist (on paper) or enter data in a computer desktop, tab, or handheld device. You will also have to use barcode scanners for doing all the tasks. Usually, bar code scanners are used in the entire process – right from when a product is picked up from a rack to packages ready for shipment and tracking when a product is loaded in a vehicle for shipment.

As a Warehouse Picker:

As a Warehouse Picker, you will be responsible for picking up merchandise (goods or products) from racks and other storage places at a warehouse as per order memos or lists. You may be responsible for picking up multiple orders at a time. Depending upon the size and weight of the merchandise as well as other factors, you may use your hands, loading trays, trollies, pickup vehicles, cranes, wire ropes, chains, etc. You will also use barcode scanners at every step of the process.

As a Warehouse Picker, you will be required to perform various post-picking activities such as identifying and informing the supervisor about any damage or misplacement. You will identify and determine different types of packing required for an item according to the nature, size, and weight of the item such as polyethylene, plastic, wooden packing, carton, etc. You will be assisting with the loading and reporting status of Inventory picked to the supervisor. 

As a Warehouse Packer:

As a Warehouse Packer, you will be required to check items before wrapping or packing to ensure that they are in good condition or not. You will be responsible for changing the box if required and also will be placing items in a new carton box. You will be responsible for wrapping the item securely with protective packing such as bubble wrap or paper. You will be required to place the shipping label on the box and move it toward the shipment department. 

You will be required to perform various post-packing activities such as reviewing packing lists or compliances to for ensuring that all activities have been complemented. You will be reporting the status of the item that has been misplaced or damaged (if any) to your supervisor. You will also be reporting the status of the successfully packed and stored item to your supervisor.

Popular specialization in warehouse packer/picker career

1. Warehouse Packer: As a Warehouse Packer, you will be required to retrieve the items or stock needed on the invoice from the inventory, check items before wrapping or packing (to ensure that they are in good condition or not), wrap them securely and then packing items for shipping. You will be responsible for packing items that require additional pre-packing or outbound packing.
2. Warehouse Picker: As a Warehouse Picker, you will be responsible for selecting merchandise (goods or products that are bought and sold) such as orders, inventories, stocks of goods and products, etc. from the shelves of the warehouse. You will be responsible for preparing the merchandise for further shipping. You will be required to pick up items from the storage or warehouse according to an Inventory List.

What does the warehouse packer/picker do? 

As a Warehouse Picker, you will be engaged in all or some of the following key roles and responsibilities:

• You will be required to ensure that the receipt of the pick-up list and task schedule from the supervisor, customer, or company is done. 
• You will be required to obtain labels (either printed or handwritten which give information about a product or item) from the supervisor for the items to be picked and verify them from the pick-up list. 
• You will be required to check the documents for any kind of discrepancies and inform the supervisor about the same before packing or loading it for shipment. 
• You will be required to locate the warehouse or storage area for the package or item listed on the pick-up list.
• You will be required to apply all the picking methods specified by the organization procedures including the type of goods and volume of goods to be picked at a time. 
• You will be required to perform picking of items by removing goods from the appropriate shelves or storage space into containers or pallets for preparing them for loading. 

As a Warehouse Packer, you will be engaged in all or some of the following key roles and responsibilities:

• You will be required to receive a list of all the items that are required to be packed from the supervisor. 
• You will be required to receive all the items or goods which are required for packing from the pickers. 
• You will be required to verify and check the goods by mapping them with the inventory list, checking for damages or spills, or errors, and will be required to inform the supervisor of any discrepancies. 
• You will be required to check the packaging requirements for each type of product.
• You need to ensure that the packing material required for packing is available in the packaging area. 
• You will be required to coordinate with the picker on timelines for batches of packed goods that needs to be handed over for shipment.

How to become a warehouse packer/picker – eligibility criteria 

After class 10, you may:

• Obtain NSQF Level 3 Qualification in Warehouse Picker or Packer
• Diploma in Engineering/Technical or other similar course and then obtain NSQF Level 3 Qualification in Warehouse Picker or Packer

Educational fees

The cost of education and training to become a warehouse packer/picker in India can vary depending on the institution and program you to choose. Some options for training include vocational courses, certification programs, or apprenticeships.

Vocational courses may cost anywhere from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 20,000 depending on the duration and content of the program. Certification programs may cost more, with prices ranging from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 50,000.

Job Opportunities

After completing NSQF qualification, you will be eligible for entry-level jobs like:

• Warehouse Packer
• Warehouse Picker
• Floor Staff
• Warehouse Associate

Some Organizations where you can find work:

• Allcargo Logistics
• Delhivery
• Agarwal Packers and Movers
• Blue Dart Express
• DHL Express
• Ekart Logistics
• FedEx Express
• Gati
• Sical Logistics
• Amazon
• Flipkart
• DTDC
• Safe Express
• CEVA Logistics

Salary of warehouse packer/picker

Salaries vary according to job profiles and the kind of facilities you get to work at.

In entry-level jobs, you may earn anything between Rs. 6,000 – 8,000 per month.

Salaries increase with your work experience and as you get promoted.

In junior-level roles, you can expect to earn about Rs. 8,000 – 15,000 per month.

In mid-level jobs, with 6-12 years of work experience, you can expect to earn about Rs. 12,000 – 20,000 per month.

In senior-level jobs, with 12-15 years of work experience, you can expect to earn about Rs. 18,000 – 35,000 or even more per month.

Career progression in the warehouse packer/picker profession 

The career growth prospectus for Warehouse Packer or Picker career is Moderate. You will be starting your career as a trainee as Warehouse Packer, Warehouse Picker, and can grow as an Assistant Warehouse Packer, Warehouse Picker, etc. After obtaining certain years of experience you may get promoted to Senior or Supervisory posts.

What do industry trends say – Future Prospects

The Indian logistics sector in terms of revenue is expected to reach US$ 1552.02 Billion by 2023, as it has grown at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 7.5 percent from 2015 to 2024. The value of Indian Logistics is expected to reach US$ 200 Billion by 2020 because of the increasing FDI norms, implementation of GST, increasing globalization, growth of the e-commerce industry, positive changes in the regulatory policies, and government initiatives such as Sagarmala and Make in India, etc.

According to the World Bank’s Logistics performance ranking 2016, India’s ranks have also improved from 54 in 2014 to a good rank of 35 in 2016, jumping 19 places. These stats indicate that the logistics and supply chain industry will continue to remain as strong as ever with the growing and thriving economy of India. So, the demand for various Warehouse Packer or Pickers Roles will be moderate in the upcoming years.

However, rapid computerization and automation may reduce the demand for many of the Warehouse Pickers’ or Packers’ jobs.

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