What a warehouse associate does
Warehouse associates handle the day-to-day work of a warehouse or distribution centre: receiving and checking deliveries, putting stock away, picking and packing orders, staging shipments, counting inventory and keeping aisles clean and safe. In many facilities, they rotate between areas and use RF scanners, a warehouse management system and material handling equipment such as pallet jacks. A strong associate understands how each step affects the next, from an accurate putaway to an on-time shipment.
Finch screens warehouse associates for accuracy, reliability and comfort with technology, since most warehouses now run on scanners and software. We ask about the facilities candidates have worked in, the systems they used and whether they hold forklift training if your role requires it. We also confirm their commute and availability for your hours. You receive a shortlist of suitable associates ready to contribute across your operation.
Typical responsibilities
- Receive, check and put away incoming stock
- Pick, pack and stage orders for shipment
- Use RF scanners and the WMS to record inventory movements
- Take part in cycle counts and report discrepancies
- Operate pallet jacks or forklifts where trained
- Keep aisles, racking and work areas clean and safe
Qualifications and credentials
- No licence is required; employers usually look for warehouse or distribution experience
- Comfort with RF scanners, warehouse management systems and basic computer use
- Forklift training and proof of competency if the role includes operating one
- Ontario worker health and safety awareness training, with WHMIS for any hazardous stock handled
- Physical ability to lift, bend, stand and walk for long periods
Who hires a warehouse associate
- Third-party logistics providers
- Retail and e-commerce distribution centres
- Wholesale and food distributors
- Manufacturers with on-site warehouses
- Pharmaceutical and medical supply distributors
Where we recruit warehouse associate candidates
We fill warehouse associate roles for employers across Toronto and the GTA, including North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Burlington, Oshawa and Pickering, and for employers across Canada. GTA employers can meet us at our North York office by appointment.
What Finch checks before you meet a candidate
- Warehouse systems and equipment the candidate has used
- Accuracy with counts, picks and data entry
- Forklift training where your role requires it
- Availability, commute and attendance record
Interview questions to ask
- What warehouse system have you used, and what tasks did you complete in it?
- How would you handle finding stock in the wrong location during a pick?
- Tell me about a time you helped another area of the warehouse catch up.