What does a distribution center associate do?
A distribution center associate is responsible for supporting the operations of a distribution center, such as assisting the manufacturing process, labeling merchandise, packaging items, and storing products to the appropriate category shelves. Distribution center associates also help on loading and unloading items from the delivery trucks, checking inventory receipts, and inspecting the quality and the correct quantity of products for shipment. They update stock information on the database, as well as responding to clients' inquiries and delivery concerns, and resolving complaints immediately.
Distribution center associate responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real distribution center associate resumes:
- Used RF scanner gun and WMS to accomplish require tasks.
- Manage logistics of shipping, receiving, and distribution of finish goods, including process improvement and problem resolution.
- Provide excellent customer service, order supplies, operate POS systems, reconcile registers, and prepare deposits.
- Provide extensive customer support to the FedEx user departments.
- Maintain quality logs to ensure FIFO standards are followed.
- Explain and teach WMS menu and options to stock product properly.
- Provide PowerPoint presentations on the overall duties and services to new employees and agents.
- Conduct optical sales and assist with other optical needs.Insurance and paper work and HIPAA certification.
- Verify the cost of the invoice against the actual pieces, includes any discounts notes.
- Communicate with customer service to ensure the quality and punctuality of inbound and out-going orders.
- Pick, pack and ship orders through fed ex to customers that need wireless insulin pumps.
- Audit data and identify data inconsistencies, missing information, and other data integrity issues in HRIS.
- Operate as a distribution clerk controlling outgoing and incoming parcels using RF scanners and Microsoft office systems.
- Verify invoice to purchase order, identify, checking, matching and counting the correct items against invoice.
- Teach proprietary software courses, create PowerPoint presentations and materials for use in the classroom and on the Intranet.
Distribution center associate skills and personality traits
We calculated that 11% of Distribution Center Associates are proficient in Pallets, Excellent Interpersonal, and Patients. They’re also known for soft skills such as Computer skills, Patience, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Distribution Center Associates that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Pallets, 11%
Maintained a safe environment while operating an electric rider pallet truck, stand-up counterbalanced truck, and a narrow-aisle reach truck.
- Excellent Interpersonal, 10%
Provided an excellent interpersonal skill with tact and diplomacy in oral communication.
- Patients, 8%
Received inbound calls from patients requesting medical appointments, prescription refills, and surgical procedure information.
- Sales Floor, 6%
Perform sales floor work, such as assisting customers, stocking/racking weights, and taking inventory.
- Customer Orders, 6%
Operate powered industrial equipment throughout facility to pull desired product in the correct quantity from inventory to complete customer orders.
- Pallet Jack, 6%
Operate motorized pallet jack to facilitate order filling.
"pallets," "excellent interpersonal," and "patients" are among the most common skills that distribution center associates use at work. You can find even more distribution center associate responsibilities below, including:
Patience. Many distribution center associate duties rely on patience. "representatives should be patient and polite, especially when interacting with dissatisfied customers.," so a distribution center associate will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways distribution center associate responsibilities rely on patience: "provide compassion, professionalism, patience, and efficiency for all clients utilizing our services. "
Problem-solving skills. distribution center associates are also known for problem-solving skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to distribution center associate responsibilities, because "representatives must determine solutions to customers’ problems." A distribution center associate resume example shows how problem-solving skills is used in the workplace: "provided customer service by acknowledging the customer, assisted customer purchasing decisions, and resolved all customer issues and concerns. "
Interpersonal skills. distribution center associate responsibilities often require "interpersonal skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "representatives should be able to create positive interactions with customers." This resume example shows what distribution center associates do with interpersonal skills on a typical day: "provided an excellent interpersonal skill with tact and diplomacy in oral communication. "
Listening skills. Another crucial skill for a distribution center associate to carry out their responsibilities is "listening skills." A big part of what distribution center associates relies on this skill, since "representatives must listen carefully to ensure that they understand customers in order to assist them." How this skill relates to distribution center associate duties can be seen in an example from a distribution center associate resume snippet: "managed daily inventory of item and communicated with inventory control on adjustments needed. "
Communication skills. Lastly, "communication skills" is an important element of what a distribution center associate does. Distribution center associate responsibilities require this skill because "customer service representatives must be able to provide clear information in writing, by phone, or in person." This resume example highlights how distribution center associate duties rely on this skill: "diagnose, troubleshoot and provide solutions for communication issues. "
The three companies that hire the most distribution center associates are:
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Compare different distribution center associates
Distribution center associate vs. Customer service, warehouse
A customer service warehouse is primarily in charge of providing customer support, mainly through calls and correspondence. Their responsibilities typically revolve around answering inquiries, addressing and troubleshooting problems, processing refunds, maintaining records of all transactions, and referring them to other services when necessary. There are also instances when they must perform follow-up calls, offer products and services, discuss product specifications and promotions, develop sales strategies, and generate leads through research and analysis. Moreover, they must maintain an active communication line with staff for a smooth and efficient workflow.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, distribution center associate responsibilities require skills like "pallets," "excellent interpersonal," "patients," and "work ethic." Meanwhile a typical customer service, warehouse has skills in areas such as "strong customer service," "stock merchandise," "delivery truck," and "purchase orders." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Customer services, warehouse really shine in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $31,263. Comparatively, distribution center associates tend to make the most money in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $34,269.The education levels that customer services, warehouse earn slightly differ from distribution center associates. In particular, customer services, warehouse are 2.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a distribution center associate. Additionally, they're 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Distribution center associate vs. Associate, member services
An associate member services worker is responsible for supporting the operations of an organization and assisting in customer service activities. Member service associates perform various administrative and clerical duties as needed and coordinate related membership communications. They generate reports and update membership information on the database, ensuring the timely release of all announcements and services offered by the organization. They process transactions, create membership contracts, and provide a detailed explanation of membership fees and benefits. An associate member service also manages membership application requests and evaluates eligibility.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real distribution center associate resumes. While distribution center associate responsibilities can utilize skills like "pallets," "excellent interpersonal," "patients," and "work ethic," associates, member services use skills like "address changes," "customer service," "member service," and "membership sales."
On average, associates, member services earn a higher salary than distribution center associates. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, associates, member services earn the most pay in the government industry with an average salary of $52,794. Whereas distribution center associates have higher pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $34,269.In general, associates, member services achieve similar levels of education than distribution center associates. They're 1.1% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Distribution center associate vs. Customer service trainer
A customer service trainer is responsible for training new and experienced customer service staff, providing them with the best strategies and techniques to handle customers' inquiries and concerns. They also resolve customer complaints and ensure customer satisfaction, building good customer relationships, maintaining the company's reputation, and increasing revenues. Customer service trainers schedule training classes, provide engaging activities, and monitor trainees' progress through call testing and role-playing activities. A customer service trainer must have excellent knowledge of the customer service industry, as well as exceptional communication skills to teach trainees' effectively and efficiently.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, distribution center associates are more likely to have skills like "pallets," "pallet jack," "osha," and "safety standards." But a customer service trainer is more likely to have skills like "customer care," "strong customer service," "product knowledge," and "gross margin."
Customer service trainers make a very good living in the telecommunication industry with an average annual salary of $32,603. On the other hand, distribution center associates are paid the highest salary in the manufacturing industry, with average annual pay of $34,269.When it comes to education, customer service trainers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to distribution center associates. In fact, they're 0.7% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Distribution center associate vs. Call center operator
A call center operator is primarily in charge of handling inbound and outbound calls in a call center, aiming to provide clients with optimal support and service. They usually answer inbound calls from clients and assist them by answering inquiries, processing requests, and even handling issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently to ensure customer satisfaction. They also make outbound calls, reaching out to potential clients to offer products and services. They usually answer inquiries, discuss product specifications, arrange payment plans, and maintain records of all transactions.
Types of distribution center associate
Updated January 8, 2025
