What are the Roles and Responsibilities of a Warehouse Assistant?
Warehouse workers in Australia are very much a profession on the rise.
So long as we have consumers, there will be a need for warehouse workers – and, thanks to the rise of online shopping, organisations rely on more employees than ever to pick and pack goods ready to ship.
But what exactly does working in a warehouse involve, and how much can you expect to earn? In today’s article, you will learn about Warehouse Assistant job responsibilities, benefits, potential salary and the required qualifications to enter this growing profession.
What Does a Warehouse Assistant Do?
A warehouse can be responsible for different things depending on its purpose in the business – some are used to store supplies and work materials, others to pack and prepare goods to ship to customers.
Fundamentally, a Warehouse Assistant supports the business by overseeing operational duties in the remit of ‘transport and logistics’. This could mean scanning materials as they arrive or leave the warehouse to maintain stock level records, moving items around from point A to B or selecting individual pieces that make up a customer’s order. You will also be expected to meet specific quality metrics to ensure a safe work environment.
A Warehouse Assistant may work independently or as part of a larger warehouse team.
Warehouse Assistant Roles and Responsibility
Depending on how an organisation uses their warehouse means the primary tasks will vary. Common Warehouse Assistant duties can include:
- Processing and packing customer orders ready to ship
- Loading delivery vans and checking shipments match the delivery schedule
- Gathering materials and supplies from the stores for colleagues
- Managing stock levels and placing orders for new materials where required
- Entering data into computer systems to keep stock inventory up to date
- Moving supplies or boxes around the warehouse (in some cases, this may involve driving a forklift truck)
- Keeping the warehouse area clean, tidy and free from unnecessary hazards to uphold health and safety
- Cleaning delivery vans and preparing them for the next day’s shift
- Maintaining quality standards across all warehouse practises
Benefits of Becoming a Warehouse Assistant
Warehouse Assistant job scope is BIG in Australia, with thousands of companies who deal in manufacturing or drop-shipping in need of a warehouse to store, pack and ship products to their customers. And thousands of companies quickly become millions of workers to fulfil the market’s demand for goods!
As well as the abundance of employment opportunities in warehouse operations, you will enjoy lots of other benefits from this role, such as:
Financial rewards – earning an average salary of $55-$60k per annum*
Varied responsibilities – making every day a different experience
Job satisfaction – ensuring high quality outcomes for customers and business owners
Career progression – gaining the experience and skills to become a Warehouse Manager
Study to become a Warehouse Assistant
What are the Main Warehouse Assistant Skills Requirements?
A warehouse is a hive of activity with many tasks happening at the same time. Warehouse Assistants need a broad skillset to manage the different demands of a warehouse – and the following are all fundamental to this field of work.
Teamwork: A Warehouse Assistant is rarely a lone worker and usually forms part of a larger team. Being a team player is essential to this role, both internally dealing with colleagues and beyond the warehouse walls dealing with customers and suppliers.
Data entry skills: Even with the likes of hand scanning devices, bar codes and QR code technology, there are still many warehouses that rely on data entry for recording details about inventory and customer orders. Therefore, computer literacy and data input skills are well regarded.
Administrative skills: Whether speaking with colleagues, suppliers or clients over the phone, managing emails, placing orders for supplies, producing shipping labels or managing paperwork, basic admin skills are essential for a Warehouse Assistant.
Organisational skills: A role with varied responsibilities means constantly switching hats from one task to the next. Warehouse Assistants must be great organisers to meet the continually changing demands of their work environment.
Time management: Since many warehouse tasks are time-critical, it is expected for warehouse workers to be exceptional at managing their time.
Warehouse Assistant Qualifications
While some employers do not require a formal qualification for their warehouse workers, it is highly recommended you complete a certificate to help you succeed in this sector (and particularly if you have plans to progress into management or supervisory roles at a later stage).
There are two certificates to consider, depending on your personal objectives and current circumstances:
Certificate III in Warehousing Operations
This nationally recognised certificate teaches you multiple practical skills to work in a warehouse. It follows a traineeship model, meaning you must already be employed to receive funding.
During the course, students must complete 19 units of competency – 3 core and 16 elective – covering topics like receiving and dispatching goods, managing stock levels, quality control and driving a forklift.
As an extremely popular course, an individual’s ability in the ACSF core skills (learning, reading, writing, oral communication and numeracy) may be considered during the selection process.
Study Certificate III in Warehousing Operations
Certificate III in Process Manufacturing
Another nationally recognised certificate, this course is ideal for individuals aspiring towards a role in warehousing or manufacturing. Full funding is available for jobseekers who gain a place on this course.
The course structure includes 21 units of competency – 4 core and 17 elective – and covers topics like stock control, receiving and dispatching goods, quality standards and WHS. In addition, we include the forklift unit so you can gain your forklift license too.
On completion, you can continue your studies with Certificate IV in Process Manufacturing or source employment in a warehouse or manufacturing.
It is recommended individuals have a high school certificate or equivalent to apply, otherwise their ability in the ACSF core skills (learning, reading, writing, oral communication and numeracy) may be considered during the selection process.
Study Certificate III in Process Manufacturing
Kickstart your Career as a Warehouse Assistant with Insight Training!
For the best start possible as a warehouse worker, there is only one place to train: Insight Training!
As a leading Registered Training Organisation in WA, Insight Training offers flexible learning and affordable study to people completing a course in warehouse operations or process manufacturing.
Talk to our team for more information about our courses.
Or, if you want to get started with your studies immediately, sign up today!
Sign up to Study Certificate III in Warehousing Operations
Sign up to Study Certificate III in Process Manufacturing
*Figure taken from www.seek.com.au
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What are the Roles and Responsibilities of a Warehouse Assistant?