Warehouse Associate - Shipping Dept.

Why This Role Matters

Every order that leaves the branch passes through the shipping department. That means every contractor waiting on wire, every job site running against a deadline, and every customer who counts on Shepherd depends on this role being done right.

The Warehouse Associate - Shipping Department is not just a packing station. You are the last set of eyes before an order goes out the door. When shipping is accurate - right product, right quantity, right documentation - customers stay on schedule and Shepherd's reputation holds. When it is not, the entire chain breaks.

This role is for someone who pays attention when the pace is high, who catches the mistake before it leaves the building, and who understands that their work is the final stamp of quality on everything Shepherd promises to deliver.

How This Role Connects to Our Compass

We Keep Our Promises

Every outbound order you touch is a promise Shepherd made to a customer. Right product, right count, right label - every time. If something is off before it leaves the dock, you catch it. If it goes out wrong, someone's job site feels it.

We Stay Hungry

You notice what slows the shipping floor down and you say something. You look for a smarter staging sequence, a faster verification habit, a better way to document exceptions. You do not just run the process - you improve it.

We Grow Together

Shipping does not work in isolation. You coordinate with the warehouse team, counter sales, and dispatch every day. When communication is clean - on priority orders, on exceptions, on timing - the whole branch executes better.

We Own It

You do not pass the problem forward. If an order is short, you resolve it before it stages. If documentation is missing, you track it down. If something looks wrong, you stop and ask. Ownership in shipping means the customer never finds out about the mistake.

We Go Above & Beyond

You make sure will-call orders are staged before customers arrive. You flag time-critical shipments before dispatch asks. You see what is coming and you get ahead of it. That is what above-and-beyond looks like on a shipping dock.

Key Outcomes

Organized by what matters, not just what you do.

Outbound Order Accuracy & Fulfillment

• Pull, verify, and stage outbound orders accurately - right product, right quantity, right destination, every time
• Confirm shipping documentation is complete and accurate on every outbound shipment before it leaves the dock
• Conduct a final physical check on staged orders to catch discrepancies before they become customer problems
• Ensure will-call orders are staged, labeled, and ready before the customer arrives
• Coordinate with counter sales and dispatch on priority-flagged or time-critical orders

Shipping Documentation & Compliance

• Generate and verify bills of lading, packing slips, and delivery confirmations for all outbound shipments
• Document all shipping exceptions - shortages, substitutions, split shipments - clearly and promptly
• Maintain accurate records of outbound activity in the warehouse management system
• Flag documentation errors or system discrepancies to the Warehouse Manager before they leave the building

Inventory Integrity at the Dock

• Pull orders accurately from bin locations and confirm picks against order documents
• Return mispicks, over-pulls, and damaged product to proper locations immediately
• Report recurring pick errors or bin location discrepancies to the Warehouse Manager for root cause review
• Treat every inventory discrepancy at the dock as a signal, not an inconvenience

Equipment, Safety & Facility

• Operate pallet jacks, hand trucks, and shipping equipment safely in compliance with Shepherd standards
• Conduct pre-shift equipment checks and report maintenance needs before they become failures
• Keep the shipping area organized, labeled, and clear of hazards - aisles open, staging zones clean
• Maintain safety compliance at your workstation and alert leadership to unsafe conditions immediately

Continuous Improvement

• Surface workflow friction, recurring errors, or staging inefficiencies to the Warehouse Manager
• Cross-train on receiving and warehouse floor functions to build team flexibility
• Support onboarding of new shipping team members by modeling accuracy standards and Shepherd values

What Success Looks Like

After 90 days, you and your Manager should both be able to point to these markers:

• Outbound orders leave the dock accurately - right product, right quantity, complete documentation - every shift
• Will-call orders are staged and ready before customers arrive, without being asked
• Shipping exceptions are documented and communicated the same day they occur
• The shipping area is organized, hazards are addressed, and equipment is maintained every shift
• You have surfaced at least one meaningful improvement - a staging tweak, a documentation habit, a catch - in your first 90 days
• The Warehouse Manager trusts that every order that left the dock today left correctly

Who Thrives Here

This role is a strong fit if

• You take ownership of accuracy without being reminded - you do not hand off a problem you can solve
• You pay attention when the pace is high, especially on details others rush past
• You treat the shipping dock like a quality checkpoint, not just a staging area
• You communicate clearly and directly - with your team, with dispatch, with counter sales
• You stay steady when priorities shift and volume spikes
• You care about the work being right, not just done
• You want to be part of a team that notices when you do the job well

Qualifications & Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Prior shipping, warehouse, or fulfillment experience preferred; motivated entry-level candidates will be considered
• Forklift or pallet jack certification required or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire
• Familiarity with warehouse management systems and standard computer tools (Excel, email) preferred
• Ability to lift up to 60 lbs. regularly and stand for extended periods
• Ability to successfully complete pre-employment screening requirements

Compensation Details

The expected pay rate for this position is starting at $20.00 - $22.00 per hour depending on experience.

Additional Information

• Steel toed boots required.