How to hire an outbound warehouse associate

How to hire an outbound warehouse associate, step by step

Here's a step-by-step outbound warehouse associate hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an outbound warehouse associate job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new outbound warehouse associate
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your outbound warehouse associate job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find an outbound warehouse associate for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   An outbound warehouse associate's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, outbound warehouse associates from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of outbound warehouse associates and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Outbound Warehouse Associate	Description	Hourly rate
   Outbound Warehouse Associate	Material recording clerks track product information in order to keep businesses and supply chains on schedule. They ensure proper scheduling, recordkeeping, and inventory control.	$14-21
   Inventory Clerk	Inventory clerks or inventory control clerks manage and maintain all inventory coming in and out. They ensure that the items are stored and stocked in their proper places... Show more	$12-18
   Inventory Controller	An inventory controller is responsible for performing duties for the inventory department of an organization. Inventory controllers ensure the adequacy of the product and materials needed for daily operations... Show more	$13-23

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Pallets
   • Safety Regulations
   • RF Scanner
   • Warehouse Equipment
   • WMS
   • Inventory Control
   • Load Trucks
   • Outbound Orders
   • Industrial Trucks
   • Safety Procedures
   • Load Trailers

   Responsibilities:

   • Receive inbound telephone calls from members and providers across the country actively participating in multiple Medicaid plans.
   • Operate power equipment including: order pickers, tuggers, reach trucks, and counterbalance forklifts.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your outbound warehouse associate job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. An outbound warehouse associate salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, outbound warehouse associates' average salary in louisiana is 29% less than in hawaii.
   • Seniority. Entry-level outbound warehouse associates earn 32% less than senior-level outbound warehouse associates.
   • Certifications. An outbound warehouse associate with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in an outbound warehouse associate's salary.

   Average outbound warehouse associate salary

   $36,943yearly

   $17.76 hourly rate

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   Entry-level outbound warehouse associate salary

   $30,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

4. Writing an outbound warehouse associate job description

   An outbound warehouse associate job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of an outbound warehouse associate job description:

   Outbound warehouse associate job description example

   $20/ hour with a shift differential of 1.25
   
   * Swing Shift (Mon-Thursday 3:00pm- 1:30am)
   * Comprehensive benefits package including generous Paid time off and paid holidays, medical, dental, vision and 401k employer matching program
   * $300 Referral bonus
   
   Contributes to the distribution of product from Columbia Sportswear Company's Distribution Center by insuring our product is received, labeled, inventoried and shipped according to customer expectations and demands. Loads and unloads material within a warehouse or storage facility. Utilizes hand trucks, forklifts, hoists, conveyors, or other handling equipment to move material to and from aircraft, trucks or trains and within the storage facility.
   
   * Receives incoming products and affixes proper labeling.
   * Makes boxes according to pick labels, loads on cart and picks to appropriate box.
   * Unloads cases from pick cart, verifies accuracy of packing. Seals cartons and sends to shipping.
   * Disposes of empty cartons.
   * Maintains accuracy and attention to detail while using Warehouse Management System (WMS) to ensure accountability for all units.
   * May operate manual or automated material handling equipment, such as forklifts, pallet jacks, and/or order pickers.
   * Maintains positive open lines of communication with all Columbia Sportswear management, staff and other departments in order to contribute to the smooth flow of information and efficient operation of the organization.
   
   Columbia Sportswear Company and our portfolio of brands, including Columbia, SOREL, Mountain Hardwear and pr Ana, know a thing or two about adventures. After all, we've been on one since 1938, working to perfect the art of enjoying the outdoors. Behind everything we make is an employee who's found that the greatest adventure starts with joining a company that strives to do the right thing.
   
   This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function in the company.
   
   At Columbia Sportswear Company (CSC), we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. CSC believes that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success as a global company, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right outbound warehouse associate for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your outbound warehouse associate job on Zippia to find and recruit outbound warehouse associate candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit outbound warehouse associates, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new outbound warehouse associate

   Once you've decided on a perfect outbound warehouse associate candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new outbound warehouse associate. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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