What does a Loader do?
The responsibilities of a loader will vary in an industry or organization. In a warehouse or retail setting, a loader is responsible for loading and unloading packages, ensuring the accuracy of all goods and invoices. Most of the tasks will involve physical work, and there are also instances when one needs to operate machines such as a forklift. Moreover, a loader must also keep records and monitor the inventory at all times and coordinate with supervisors, all in adherence to the company's policies and safety regulations.
Loader responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real loader resumes:
- Manage Mexico border, customs paperwork, and drayage for Lear, drayage/door to door movements for Nissan.
- have the ability to operate a trackmobile.
- Start off as Manifester, tendering BOL's and expediting loads.
- Maintain all safety requirements as set forth by the company and OSHA.
- Set pallet design to ensure the drivers' logistics would not be compromise.
- Bill out trucks at the end of load, operate bobcat when need.
- Move railcars with the following railcar moving equipment - Trackmobile, Switchmaster, and Shuttlewagon.
- Follow FDA regulations (GMP's) to ensure product retains its quality throughout the process.
- Spot rail cars in proper position using car brake, jack, winch, or bobcat.
- Goal-Orient individual with strong leadership capabilities.
- Prepare pallets by following prescribe stacking arrangements and properly tag pallets.
- Manage Mexico border, customs paperwork, and drayage for Lear, drayage/door to door movements for Nissan.
Loader skills and personality traits
We calculated that 17% of Loaders are proficient in Customer Service, Pallets, and Loaders. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Listening skills, and Physical strength.
We break down the percentage of Loaders that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 17%
Demonstrate superior customer service when serving our customers/members, asking questions in order to understand customer/member needs.
- Pallets, 14%
Used all equipment including slip machine, fork lift, riding pallet jack, hand jack and two wheel dollies.
- Loaders, 8%
Help other loaders load when there truck gets backed up or with a package that weights over 100lbs.
- Customer Vehicles, 5%
Transported packages to customer vehicles and Answered customer questions about merchandise.
- Semi Trailers, 5%
Loaded semi trailers and unloaded inventory
- Load Trucks, 5%
Unload and load trucks, keep count on all products and items making sure everything is in their right trucks.
Most loaders use their skills in "customer service," "pallets," and "loaders" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential loader responsibilities here:
Customer-service skills. The most essential soft skill for a loader to carry out their responsibilities is customer-service skills. This skill is important for the role because "hand laborers and material movers who work with the public, such as grocery baggers or carwash attendants, must be pleasant and courteous to customers." Additionally, a loader resume shows how their duties depend on customer-service skills: "assisted customers within shop as a general loader - managed loaders and assigned tasks"
Listening skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling loader duties is listening skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "hand laborers and material movers follow instructions that a supervisor gives them." According to a loader resume, here's how loaders can utilize listening skills in their job responsibilities: "communicated to ship trailers out, built pallets, performed audits, and helped to train others. "
Physical strength. This is an important skill for loaders to perform their duties. For an example of how loader responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "some hand laborers and material movers must be able to lift and carry heavy objects." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a loader: "fast paced environment had to memorize many zip codes physical job".
The three companies that hire the most loaders are:
- SRS Distribution105 loaders jobs
- Jetro Cash & Carry Enterprises Inc.94 loaders jobs
- Rural King58 loaders jobs
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Loader vs. Driver/warehouse worker
A driver/warehouse worker is responsible for transporting goods and services from the warehouse or distribution center to specific destinations based on the delivery details. Driver/warehouse workers assist in loading and unloading items from delivery trucks, storing merchandise to the appropriate warehouse areas, operating various warehouse tools and equipment, and inspecting the delivery vehicle for any engine defects that might cause delays. They also check the inventory report to ensure the correct quantity of items and escalate customers' complaints to the warehouse management for immediate resolution, such as product replacement or issuing refunds.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between loaders and driver/warehouse worker. For instance, loader responsibilities require skills such as "pallets," "loaders," "customer vehicles," and "semi trailers." Whereas a driver/warehouse worker is skilled in "cdl," "warehouse operations," "office furniture," and "filling orders." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Driver/warehouse workers earn the highest salaries when working in the manufacturing industry, with an average yearly salary of $35,536. On the other hand, loaders are paid more in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $35,772.driver/warehouse workers tend to reach similar levels of education than loaders. In fact, driver/warehouse workers are 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Loader vs. Material handler/forklift operator
A material handler and forklift operator is responsible for transporting and storing various kinds of goods, even including fragile or hazardous shipments. The duties and location will vary depending on the line of work or industry involved. However, most of the tasks will require efficiency in operating machinery, communication skills, and great attention to detail. Furthermore, a material handler and forklift operator must monitor products and keep an accurate record of overall activities, transport materials within allotted time and schedule, and maintain communication and coordination with co-workers and supervisors.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real loader resumes. While loader responsibilities can utilize skills like "customer service," "loaders," "customer vehicles," and "semi trailers," material handler/forklift operators use skills like "forklift operation," "rf scanner," "sit-down forklift," and "production lines."
Material handler/forklift operators may earn a higher salary than loaders, but material handler/forklift operators earn the most pay in the automotive industry with an average salary of $37,909. On the other hand, loaders receive higher pay in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $35,772.In general, material handler/forklift operators achieve similar levels of education than loaders. They're 0.2% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Loader vs. Forklift operator
Forklift operators are skilled workers responsible for operating heavy equipment machines called forklifts. They are in charge of operating forklifts, a type of industrial or heavy equipment truck/machine that moves materials from one place to another through prongs protruding from the machine. Forklift operators are responsible for loading and unloading cargo, operating the machine to ensure that the cargo reaches its destination, and complying with safety protocols. They are also in-charge of maintenance work on the machine and reporting any challenges or issues that may be encountered. Forklift operators must be physically fit and alert at all times.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from loader resumes include skills like "customer service," "loaders," "customer vehicles," and "semi trailers," whereas a forklift operator is more likely to list skills in "osha," "sit-down forklift," "rf scanner," and "forklift operation. "
Forklift operators make a very good living in the automotive industry with an average annual salary of $37,519. On the other hand, loaders are paid the highest salary in the manufacturing industry, with average annual pay of $35,772.forklift operators typically earn similar educational levels compared to loaders. Specifically, they're 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Loader vs. Warehouse labour
Warehouse labour workers are responsible for organizing shipment details by processing the correct quantity of orders, ensuring that the items are free from any defects and mislabeling. Warehouse labourers prepare the items for packaging efficiently, update the inventory records, and escalate production discrepancy to the management for immediate resolution. They should also strictly adhere to the production area's safety regulations, especially on loading and unloading items, and moving each package to appropriate shelves using warehouse equipment.
Types of loader
Updated January 8, 2025