What a picker and packer does
Pickers and packers fill customer orders in warehouses, fulfilment centres and distribution operations. They read pick lists or follow a scanner, walk the aisles to collect items, confirm quantities and item numbers, then pack orders with the right materials and labels so they arrive undamaged. In e-commerce operations, orders are often small and numerous, while wholesale picking may involve full cases and pallets. In both cases, accuracy and pace decide whether your customers get what they ordered on time.
Mistakes in picking lead to returns, reshipments and unhappy customers, so Finch screens for accuracy as well as stamina. We ask candidates about the kinds of orders they picked, the technology they used and how they kept errors low. We also make sure they understand the walking, lifting and repetitive nature of the job before they reach your interview. You meet a shortlist of reliable people who can keep your orders right.
Typical responsibilities
- Pick items from shelves or racking using pick lists, RF scanners or voice systems
- Confirm item numbers, sizes and quantities before packing
- Pack orders with the correct packaging, fill and labels
- Prepare cartons and pallets for carrier pickup
- Report stock shortages and damaged items
Qualifications and credentials
- No licence is required; employers usually look for warehouse or fulfilment experience
- Comfort with RF scanners, voice picking or pick-to-light systems
- Basic safety training, including Ontario's awareness program and WHMIS for regulated products
- Physical stamina for walking, lifting and repetitive movements
- Attention to detail and basic English reading for labels and lists
Who hires a picker and packer
- E-commerce fulfilment centres
- Retail distribution centres
- Pharmacy and health product distributors
- Apparel, beauty and consumer goods warehouses
Where we recruit picker and packer candidates
We fill picker and packer roles for employers across Toronto and the GTA, including North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Burlington, Oshawa and Pickering, and for employers across Canada. GTA employers can meet us at our North York office by appointment.
What Finch checks before you meet a candidate
- Picking methods and technology the candidate has used
- Accuracy, confirmed through references from supervisors
- Understanding of the physical pace and demands
- Availability for your hours and peak seasons
Interview questions to ask
- How do you keep your picks accurate when you are working quickly?
- What picking technology have you used, and which did you find easiest?
- How do you pack a fragile item so it arrives safely?