What is a picker?
An order picker in logistics is an employee in a logistics or production warehouse. His task is to assemble goods and merchandise for an order or customer order. The activity is also known as picking. The picker is often supported by a picking system.
What does a picker do?
The main task of a picker in warehouse logistics is the order-related removal (picking) of articles from a storage bin in the warehouse. Picking is carried out from storage bins in shelves or from storage bins on pallets. Picking is based on a picking list (electronically or as physical accompanying documents). The processes are often supported by picking systems (picking procedures), such as Pick-to-Light, Voice Picking, Pick-by-Point, Pick-by-Frame, etc.
Before starting work, the picker often prepares the packaging (cartons, containers, skeleton containers, pallets, etc.). After that, the picking already starts. According to the picking list he walks through several storage zones and picks the goods from the storage locations. Each item in the picking order is confirmed. Picking systems and warehouse management systems are used to keep the walking time short. They optimize the storage and the routes. When the order is ready, the control, packing and dispatch is carried out. The order picker bears a great responsibility in the quality of work for the entire team (minimizing the shortage and optimizing handling costs).
The withdrawal in a picking warehouse is carried out manually. The following picking devices can be used as aids: Forklift trucks, pallet trucks, various other devices, industrial trucks and various support systems.
Does the picker need training?
No. In order to work as an order picker, you do not need a full apprenticeship at a vocational school. A search at a job exchange is enough. The profession is taught as part of a specialist preparation course in a logistics company. The specialist warehouse clerks, specialist packers and warehouse logisticians learn the profession directly with the work experience.
Further training in inventory management is possible. However, this depends heavily on each individual employer. Please ask the company when you apply.
Find a job as a picker?
Finding a job as an order picker is not difficult. There are many job advertisements and job exchanges where employees with the job profile are sought.
To narrow down your job search, you can also enter the city where you are looking for the job in the search field, e.g. "Picker Hamburg". In many cases you can even find the job advertisements in the employment offices very easily. If you come from a different profession, then search for "Application picker lateral entrant". The advantage of the job is that skilled workers who have a driving licence for forklift trucks have an advantage. In some companies there are also only forklifts for which you do not need a driving licence.
Good luck with your application!
Pickers' pay?
An order picker in Germany earns between 12-16 € per hour at the beginning. However, his salary varies greatly depending on the industry. Seasonal employees earn much less. Many temporary employment agencies also hire order pickers at a very low wage. So it is better to apply directly to the companies that need an order picker. This will bring more money.
Is picking hard?
In a modern logistics warehouse there are many carrying aids available. In the past, the picker had to carry very heavy loads. Today's standards regulate the maximum weight he is allowed to carry. Forklift trucks, pallet trucks and cranes are available.
Various picking systems support the work in the warehouse logistics and eliminate the accompanying documents(picking list). If you want to learn more about the innovative picking methods, please read more articles: Pick-to-Light, Voice Picking, Pick-by-Point, Pick-by-Frameetc.
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