pick packer job description

Some of the standard duties of a pick packer include: order picking: as a pick packer, your main responsibility is to pick the products in the order slip from their designated location in the storage facility. It is essential to handle the product with care to avoid damage. You should ensure you pick the correct amount to avoid mistakes when processing large quantities. Delays in picking should be avoided, as they can hold up all the subsequent processes, like shipping. packing items: you pack consumer goods, fresh farm produce, raw materials or finished goods to prepare for transportation, ensuring you use the proper packaging to avoid damage in transit. You should also handle the products with utmost care to minimise damages. You label and prepare the items for shipping when they are packed. It is important to write the recipient's address and the product's weight if the package conceals the contents. You also assist with loading containers onto delivery trucks for shipping. cleaning the work area: you handle multiple products during your workday, so you keep the work area neat to avoid contamination. To prevent damage, you should clean the surfaces before picking different goods. For instance, if you are packing metallic or sharp objects, ensure you clean the work areas to prevent sharp objects from damaging other products. When packing or picking food products, ensure you maintain a high level of cleanliness. performing quality control checks: when you finish packing a product, you complete quality control checks on a sample to ensure the customer receives high-quality products. You also record information from the quality checks on reports and present them to warehouse or facility managers.

As a pick packer, your work settings depend on the industry in which you work. In most industries, you will likely work in a warehouse or distribution centre in climate-controlled storage facilities. You handle raw materials and finished products when you work in a manufacturing warehouse. In agriculture, you pick the produce directly from farms, which involves working outdoors. A pick packer doesn't travel since they work from the same warehouse.

who are your colleagues?

Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include order pickers, warehouse workers and truck drivers . You might also be working close to maintenance technicians, maintenance supervisors , delivery drivers and forklift drivers , as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, warehouse managers, inventory specialists and facilities managers .

As a pick packer, you work full-time, part-time or seasonally. For 24-hour schedules, you are assigned shifts on a rotational basis, which could be 8 to 10 hours a day. That means you are likely to work early mornings, during the day or night shifts. Part-time pick packers work a few hours a week to cover for the full-time workers and fill packing schedule gaps. Seasonal pick packers often work when the company has an influx of orders.

The skills you acquire in the position open opportunities in production, logistics and quality control sectors. For instance, some pick packers become truck drivers or inventory specialists. Others also specialise in picking or packing and explore career paths in the field. The pick packer career path involves progression to higher roles like supervisors or packing managers.

advantages of finding a pick packer job through randstad

Finding your pick packer job through Randstad provides important advantages such as: a wide variety of training and development opportunities an experienced contact person to provide help if needed a range of opportunities in your area get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job temporary and permanent contracts Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a pick packer is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers every year thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.

what does a pick packer do?

As a pick packer, you retrieve products from different locations at the warehouse based on daily orders. You ensure the quantity of the packed items align with the orders and separate them from other orders. You also check the product quality during packaging and report any problems to the supervisor. When you finish packaging the orders, you attach the delivery labels before loading them onto delivery trucks.

how much do pick packers get paid in australia?

A pick packer earns an average salary of $53,000 per year. Most employers pay different hourly rates for working day and night shifts. You are likely to make more for working unconventional work hours. Experienced pick packers also receive a remuneration package of $55,000 due to the transferrable skills they bring to the role.

what skills does a pick packer require?

Most warehouse and distribution companies use packing machines to package items. Hence, you should be skilled at operating the machines and carrying out minor maintenance tasks. As a pick packer, you require good manual skills and the ability to stand on your feet for long periods. Attentiveness to detail is also important to avoid packing the wrong items.

is a pick packer job easy?

Working as a pick packer is an exciting career that requires few skills to be successful. However, you work in a fast-paced, physically demanding environment and spend most of the day standing. If you can cope with stressful work settings, you could make an excellent pick packer since you will complete your tasks quickly and efficiently.

do you need working experience to be a packer?

A packer needs at least a year of experience working in similar roles to work with minimal supervision. You can start as an order picker or truck loader before becoming a packer.

how do I apply for a pick packer vacancy?

Applying for a pick packer job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our pick packer job offers . Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.

Working as a pick packer

what is a pick packer?

As a pick packer, you prepare parcels for delivery. You pick them up from their designated location and ensure they are ready for shipping or dispatch. The pick aspect of the job title refers to removing items from shelves. You go around the warehouse picking out items required to fulfil a customer's order. A packer packs the items and prepares them for shipping. Packers ensure the items are ready for transportation while pickers check if the order is complete. Combining the two duties into one role improves efficiency in managing warehouse inventories and executing customer orders.

where does a pick packer work?

Pick packers work in warehouses and the distribution centres of various industries. The industry you work in determines the products you handle. For instance, in manufacturing, you work in warehouses that store raw materials or finished products after production. You will likely handle materials like plastics, metal, wood and ores recovered from mining. You also work in distribution centres for large retail stores or warehouses that deliver goods straight to the customer. In agriculture, you pick and pack harvested produce directly from a farm.

pick packer jobs

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average pick packer salary

The remuneration package of a pick packer usually varies according to education level, industry and employer. That's why some pick packers take home a lower salary despite working the same role. In Australia, the average salary of a pick packer is $53,000 annually. The lowest-paid pick packers take home $50,000 a year, while the highest-paid can negotiate a salary above $55,000. Some companies pay hourly rates due to the shift schedules.

how to boost your pick packer salary

As a pick packer, your earnings depend on your experience level. While you don't need educational qualifications, some certifications improve your competitiveness. Having prior experience in warehouse roles improves your salary prospects. Your work hours may also influence your remuneration package. When you work full-time, your take-home salary is higher than that of part-time workers. The hours or shifts you work also affect your earnings. Working unconventional hours like night shifts or early mornings attracts higher hourly rates than traditional business hours. Some industries also pay higher salaries due to the complexity of the role. For instance, working in chemical manufacturing plants exposes you to hazardous substances. Hence, the remuneration packages are usually higher.

Want to know what you will earn as a pick packer? Check out what you are worth with our salary checker.

pick packer salary

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types of pick packers

The types of pick packers depend on the industry and products they deal with. Some of the pick packer jobs you are likely to encounter include:

meat pick packers: you can work in farms and slaughterhouses, where your job is to divide slaughtered animals into cuts of meat and package them for transportation. You also prepare the by-products to ensure they get to manufacturing firms. Meat packers maintain high hygiene levels and store the products in sterile containers to avoid contamination in transit.
warehouse picker packer: working in a warehouse, you handle various finished products. Your job is to package the products to ensure they get to retailers, distributors and consumers in good condition. You pick and pack large quantities of items.

male scanning a package, standing behind a conveyor belt.

3

working as a pick packer

As a pick packer, you are an invaluable member of the logistics and delivery teams. However, picking and packing goods throughout the day involves a lot of standing and attention to detail to avoid losses. Let's explore the duties, responsibilities and work schedules of pick packers.

pick packer job description
Some of the standard duties of a pick packer include:
- order picking: as a pick packer, your main responsibility is to pick the products in the order slip from their designated location in the storage facility. It is essential to handle the product with care to avoid damage. You should ensure you pick the correct amount to avoid mistakes when processing large quantities. Delays in picking should be avoided, as they can hold up all the subsequent processes, like shipping.
- packing items: you pack consumer goods, fresh farm produce, raw materials or finished goods to prepare for transportation, ensuring you use the proper packaging to avoid damage in transit. You should also handle the products with utmost care to minimise damages. You label and prepare the items for shipping when they are packed. It is important to write the recipient's address and the product's weight if the package conceals the contents. You also assist with loading containers onto delivery trucks for shipping.
- cleaning the work area: you handle multiple products during your workday, so you keep the work area neat to avoid contamination. To prevent damage, you should clean the surfaces before picking different goods. For instance, if you are packing metallic or sharp objects, ensure you clean the work areas to prevent sharp objects from damaging other products. When packing or picking food products, ensure you maintain a high level of cleanliness.
- performing quality control checks: when you finish packing a product, you complete quality control checks on a sample to ensure the customer receives high-quality products. You also record information from the quality checks on reports and present them to warehouse or facility managers.
work environment

As a pick packer, your work settings depend on the industry in which you work. In most industries, you will likely work in a warehouse or distribution centre in climate-controlled storage facilities. You handle raw materials and finished products when you work in a manufacturing warehouse. In agriculture, you pick the produce directly from farms, which involves working outdoors. A pick packer doesn't travel since they work from the same warehouse.
who are your colleagues?

Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include order pickers, warehouse workers and truck drivers. You might also be working close to maintenance technicians, maintenance supervisors, delivery drivers and forklift drivers, as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, warehouse managers, inventory specialists and facilities managers.
work schedule

As a pick packer, you work full-time, part-time or seasonally. For 24-hour schedules, you are assigned shifts on a rotational basis, which could be 8 to 10 hours a day. That means you are likely to work early mornings, during the day or night shifts. Part-time pick packers work a few hours a week to cover for the full-time workers and fill packing schedule gaps. Seasonal pick packers often work when the company has an influx of orders.
job outlook

The skills you acquire in the position open opportunities in production, logistics and quality control sectors. For instance, some pick packers become truck drivers or inventory specialists. Others also specialise in picking or packing and explore career paths in the field. The pick packer career path involves progression to higher roles like supervisors or packing managers.
advantages of finding a pick packer job through randstad
Finding your pick packer job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a pick packer is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers every year thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.

4

education and skills

Pick packer roles don't have entry requirements, but candidates should possess a school leaving certificate. Any technical qualification can improve your competitive advantage. Some vocational qualifications that enhance your skills include a Certificate II in supply chain operations. Most employers also provide on-the-job training on the picking and packing processes. When you complete the training, you shadow a supervisor to learn the ropes before completing orders without supervision.

skills and competencies

Some of the essential skills for pick packers include:

technical knowledge: warehouses often rely on machines to package products. You will find highly automated machinery for filling, bagging and labelling the packaged items. Having the technical knowledge and expertise to operate packing machines is essential.
teamworking skills: working as a pick packer involves coordinating with other warehouse workers to fulfil orders. You require interpersonal skills to work well with others and complete your tasks efficiently.
physical fitness: you should be physically fit to withstand the hours of standing and lifting involved in a pick packer role. Sometimes, you lift items weighing over 20 kilograms.
attention to details: as a pick packer, you pick items according to the order sheet and pack them. Attention to detail avoids mixing up products or their quantities and helps you during labelling.

5

FAQs about working as a pick packer

Here are the most asked questions about working as a pick packer:

what does a pick packer do?

As a pick packer, you retrieve products from different locations at the warehouse based on daily orders. You ensure the quantity of the packed items align with the orders and separate them from other orders. You also check the product quality during packaging and report any problems to the supervisor. When you finish packaging the orders, you attach the delivery labels before loading them onto delivery trucks.
how much do pick packers get paid in australia?

A pick packer earns an average salary of $53,000 per year. Most employers pay different hourly rates for working day and night shifts. You are likely to make more for working unconventional work hours. Experienced pick packers also receive a remuneration package of $55,000 due to the transferrable skills they bring to the role.
what skills does a pick packer require?

Most warehouse and distribution companies use packing machines to package items. Hence, you should be skilled at operating the machines and carrying out minor maintenance tasks. As a pick packer, you require good manual skills and the ability to stand on your feet for long periods. Attentiveness to detail is also important to avoid packing the wrong items.
is a pick packer job easy?

Working as a pick packer is an exciting career that requires few skills to be successful. However, you work in a fast-paced, physically demanding environment and spend most of the day standing. If you can cope with stressful work settings, you could make an excellent pick packer since you will complete your tasks quickly and efficiently.
do you need working experience to be a packer?

A packer needs at least a year of experience working in similar roles to work with minimal supervision. You can start as an order picker or truck loader before becoming a packer.
how do I apply for a pick packer vacancy?

Applying for a pick packer job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our pick packer job offers. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.

pick packer.