What Are the Duties of a Warehouseman?

A warehouseman or warehouse hand is a laborer who is responsible for moving goods within a warehouse setting, a type of large storage facility. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that though there is not much growth expected in the field of material-moving occupations through 2016, there will be many job openings for warehousemen due to turnover and retirement.

Duties

The duties of a warehouseman can be divided into three categories: shipping and receiving, stocking and maintenance.

Function

Shipping and receiving duties involve removing products or inventory from large trucks when it arrives and then moving these boxes onto other trucks when the inventory is ready to be distributed or utilized. In between shipping and receiving, warehousemen shelve and organize inventory and keep the warehouse clean and orderly.

Features

In some warehouses, a warehouseman uses machines like forklifts or buggies to move boxes or inventory, and in others moving is done by hand with only the assistance of dollies.

Skills

In order to be successful in the required duties of the positions, a warehouseman must be able to lift heavy loads, follow specific instructions and adhere to safety guidelines. There is no education typically required for completing the duties of a warehouseman, but most employers provide on-the-job training about safe lifting, the operation of machinery and company policies and procedures.

Compensation

In November 2009, the average annual salary that a warehouse hand earned for completing her duties was $28,000, according to Indeed.com.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Industry Overview
• Sample Job Description
• Job Description 2

Resources

• Indeed.com