Warehouse Associate

Forward Air • Irvine, CA

5d • $18 - $20 • Onsite

About The Position

The Warehouse Associate is responsible for daily customer order fulfillment activities within an assigned facility. They are cross-trained in multiple warehouse disciplines and are responsible for supporting warehouse operations and administrative functions, including receiving, order filling, picking, packing, shipping, returns, replenishment, inventory, and value-added service. They play a key role in ensuring inventory is handled safely, accurately, and efficiently while supporting the flow of operational documentation and information from warehouse offices. They work closely with site leaders, carriers, drivers, and internal support teams to maintain safety, productivity, accuracy, and service quality.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or General Education Development (GED) equivalent required.
• Willingness and ability to learn and use warehouse, logistics, and shipment‑tracking systems, handheld scanners, and office tools in a fast-paced, metrics-driven environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, verbally and in writing, to understand safety and operational instructions, work assignments, and freight documentation.
• Ability to recognize numbers, labels, barcodes, and freight markings accurately, and to perform basic arithmetic to verify freight counts, quantities, and weights.
• Basic arithmetic skills to verify freight counts, quantities, and weights.
• Willingness and ability to learn and use basic computer systems, handheld scanners, and freight-tracking devices.
• Ability to safely operate box cutters, cardboard balers, and material handling equipment (MHE) such as pallet jacks, dollies, hand trucks, order pickers, pallet riders, conveyors, dock plates, dock levelers, sit-down/stand-up forklifts and reach trucks (with company-assisted certification/training), and/or other specialized MHE as required by the site.
• Ability to maintain regular and predictable attendance.
• Extensive standing, walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, and twisting for 8-12 hours per/shift, with the ability to lift, push, pull, and carry freight up to 50lbs without assistance, with occasional lifting of freight up to 75lbs with assistance or mechanical aids throughout each 8-12 hour shift, multiple times per/week.
• Vision, hearing, and verbal communication skills sufficient to work safely in a noisy dock environment.
• Demonstrated discretion and confidentiality in handling and protecting sensitive information.

Nice To Haves

• Valid forklift certification/licensure (or ability to obtain prior to operating equipment) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Load, unload, move, stage, sort, and position inventory from loading docks, delivery trucks, and storage areas using approved lifting techniques and appropriate material handling equipment (MHE) such as pallet jacks, carts, and dollies.
• Pick, pack, label, and prepare freight for shipping and delivery in accordance with operating procedures.
• Label, scan, track, and document freight using handheld scanners and company systems to ensure accuracy and documentation integrity.
• Verify incoming shipments against packing lists and ensure compliance with consolidating, receiving, and staging procedures.
• Store cargo in assigned locations using cargo boards, pallets, and designated storage methods.
• Fulfill daily picking and order requirements in accordance with KPIs and client SLAs, following established picking procedures.
• Report inventory discrepancies, shortages, or picking issues promptly to the Warehouse Supervisor.
• Perform Value Added Services (VAS) according to client and department store guidelines, including ticketing, labeling, hanging, folding, and inspecting inventory.
• Follow inventory control procedures to manage shortages, discrepancies, and adjustments, coordinating with the Inventory Supervisor as needed.
• Complete quality checks and cycle count requests, documenting findings and reporting results as required.
• Ensure outbound shipments meet quality assurance standards based on designated carrier, order type, and client requirements.
• Pack and process orders according to client‑specific and order‑type procedures to ensure accuracy and shipment integrity.
• Apply correct packing and shipping labels, ensuring proper placement and compliance with shipping requirements.
• Stage completed orders in assigned outbound locations based on order type and carrier.
• Execute replenishment activities by transferring pallets and cartons to designated pick or pallet locations to support open orders.
• Inspect and process returns by identifying damaged inventory versus stock eligible for return to inventory and restocking accordingly.
• Communicate space constraints, operational roadblocks, or safety concerns to the Site leadership.
• Support daily/routine maintenance of the warehouse/site, including but not limited to sweeping, collecting empty boxes, debris, and shrink wrap from the floor, gathering and disposing of trash, and operating a cardboard baler.
• Safely operate and assist with material handling equipment and dock tools, following all safety, OSHA, and PPE requirements.
• Work assigned schedules, including nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime as required by business needs.
• All other duties as assigned to meet evolving business needs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED