A high school graduate or a candidate with GED diploma can be a picker and packer worker. At first impression, the work entails physical stamina and endurance. It is more than that when the picker and packer worker also pays attention to detail and order instructions. For this line of work, the picker and packer can be found in the industry of food processing, packaging, pharmaceutical, fruit and vegetables, and beverage. The picker and packer worker seems to do menial duties. In reality, the candidate needs to follow the order instructions very well. Depending on what the order instructions say, the picker and packer worker sorts out the needed items. Counting the item per instructions is done efficiently.
Alternatives For The Background
Certainly, the picker and packer worker has to know all the products of the company. The candidate picks out the right items and sees to it that the condition of the items is good. When the candidate is experienced with shipping or order fulfillment environment, this can make up for the high school diploma or its GED equivalent. Another option is to be an intern for the company and know the procedures and operations for doing the work. Previous work with a wholesaler, receiving department of a company or shipping company will also be advantageous for the picker and packer candidate.
Standard Operating Procedure
Per picker and packer worker, there is a standard operating procedure that is followed. When the items mentioned in the order instructions are gotten and sorted out correctly, they undergo quality control. Afterwards, the packing container is prepared for the items. The container may also be labeled and addressed to the recipient when the policy includes it. When everything has been checked and approved for delivery, the shipment is prepared for the staging area. When a package is prepared, all of these steps are normally followed to have smooth operations. It depends on the company of the picker and packer worker for any additional policies and procedures.
Medical Line of Work
For a pharmaceutical picker and packer worker, the duties are more challenging. Since medicines are being picked and packed, the worker needs to verify the manufacturing and expiration date. The names of the medicines have to be double-checked so that the right stocks are put into the container for sending. Besides these important information, the rotation cycles and lot numbers are also verified. It is a must that the medical shipment picked and packed can be used for a long time. The nature of the work can be tedious for the candidate. The eyesight has to be clear to see the tiniest dates on the medical supplies.
Physical Fitness
The work is repetitive and routine that includes moving and carrying heavy objects. The candidate must be physically fit to work forty hours a week and experience tired hands and feet daily. The profit from being a picker and packer worker is certainly on the lower end. This can be made up for by the bonuses, profit sharing, and insurance that the company provides. It is important for the picker and packer worker to take care of the health especially when the items being handled are hazardous. Being accurate in picking and packing can be improved as the candidate stays longer with the work.
Meat and Technical Line
For meat packers, it is a lot more different since they deal with the slaughterhouse environment. The smell of the slaughterhouse sticks to their work clothes. They have to clean the meat and pack them efficiently for the deliveries to look good. The head of the animal is removed and the meat undergoes processing. The animal parts are cut off and prepared for packaging. Standard operating procedures are also followed for the meat picking and packing. Legal requirements are also observed when it comes to meat packaging. For the technical line of picker and packer workers, assembly workers may be needed to get the necessary parts per package. In this case, the candidate must wear protective equipment while on duty. Safety regulations are also observed to prevent any unpleasant accidents.
Repetitive and Routine Work
As for food packers, this line of picking and packing work is on the decline since automation of work can be done already. There remain plenty of tasks for picking and packing that do not need automation. When the tasks given to the picker and packer worker are increased, the process becomes slower. Steady and repetitive work, on the other hand, yields efficiency and output. In doing the picking and packing, the output per hour depends on the volume of items per package. Being skilled with the hands is very important for this work.
