An order picker position sits at the heart of any efficient warehouse or distribution center. If you’ve ever wondered what does an order picker do, this guide will explain the role, daily tasks, and skills needed to succeed. We’ll also define order picker and show why companies rely on these warehouse order pullers to keep goods moving through the supply chain.
Defining the Order Picker
A warehouse or distribution center employs many workers, but an order picker has a unique task. Simply put, an order picker locates, retrieves, and prepares items for shipment. Sometimes called a warehouse order puller, this role involves using material handling equipment—such as pallet trucks, lifts, and forklifts—to work safely at elevated heights or in narrow aisles.
What Does an Order Picker Do Daily?
An order picker’s day varies, but most follow these order picking processes:
Reviewing Pick Tickets
The order picker works from digital or printed lists of products to retrieve. Good communication with supervisors and other warehouse workers ensures accuracy from the start.
Locating Items
Using a warehouse map or scanner, the picker moves through narrow aisles to find products. This step may involve a pallet truck for ground-level stock or a lift truck for high levels.
Filling Orders
Once located, pickers handle each item carefully, checking for damage before placing it in a tote or on a cart. This order picker position requires both speed and attention to detail.
Packing and Labeling
After collection, the picker packs items into boxes or onto pallets, labels each box, and moves it to staging for shipment. They may also load and unload trucks.
Inventory Updates
Pickers note shortages, damaged goods, or incorrect counts. Accurate updates help the warehouse managing team maintain stock levels and plan restocking.
Types of Order Pickers
Not all pickers use the same equipment. Here are common types of order pickers:
- Low-Level Pickers – Use a pallet truck or manual cart to pick items stored on lower shelves.
- High-Level Pickers – Operate lifts or special walk-in platforms to retrieve products stored at elevated heights.
- Narrow-Aisle Pickers – Use compact order picker machines designed to move in tight spaces.
- Stand-Up Cherry Pickers – A type of picker lift truck that raises the operator and cart simultaneously.
Key Skills and Qualities
An entry level candidate can fill an order picker position, but success depends on:
- Attention to Detail: Picking the wrong item or quantity creates delays in the supply chain.
- Physical Fitness: The role demands walking, bending, and lifting throughout the shift.
- Good Communication: Order pickers often coordinate with supervisors and forklift operators to manage workflow.
- Quick Decision-Making: They must work quickly during peak periods without sacrificing accuracy.
Essential Equipment
Order pickers rely on several pieces of equipment to complete their jobs safely:
- Pallet Trucks: For moving heavier loads at floor level.
- Electric Order Pickers: Battery-powered units that lift both the operator and the load.
- Stock Picker Lifts: Also called stock picker lift trucks, these reach high racks with precision.
- Cherry Picker Lift Trucks: Offer a stable platform for picking at height.
- Custom Order Picker Carts: Tailored carts from Nutting fit your equipment perfectly, keeping loads secure and reducing strain on pickers for a safer, easier workflow.
Training and certification on each machine are often required before a picker works independently.
Why the Role Matters
A skilled order picker keeps orders flowing through the facility. When each picker performs efficiently, the entire order picking process becomes smoother:
- Faster Shipments: Accurate and timely order fulfillment boosts customer satisfaction.
- Reduced Errors: Well-trained pickers minimize mistakes that lead to returns or rework.
- Better Inventory Control: Up-to-date stock counts prevent stockouts and overstock situations.
In this way, the warehouse order puller becomes a vital link in the broader warehouse managing and material handling ecosystem.
Career Path and Growth
Starting as a warehouse order puller can lead to roles such as:
- Team Lead: Supervises a group of pickers and ensures daily targets are met.
- Inventory Specialist: Focuses on stock accuracy and reordering.
- Warehouse Manager: Oversees all operations, including shipping, receiving, and picking.
Strong performance, certification on multiple machines, and leadership skills pave the path for upward mobility.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know what does an order picker do, you can appreciate the blend of physical work, technical skill, and attention to detail this role demands. As companies strive to streamline their supply chain, they count on order pickers to keep products moving quickly and accurately.
If you enjoy active work, rapid problem-solving, and using a variety of equipment, the order picker position may be the perfect fit for you in warehouses and distribution centers.
