Distribution Center Associate

Distribution Center Warehouse Associate - Outbound

Be part of a growing, successful company in an exciting and challenging field. Border States is 100% employee-owned, which means you're empowered to make decisions, find solutions and receive rewards for your hard work. This position will be located in: Fargo, ND.

Job Summary

The Distribution Center (DC) Warehouse Associate - Outbound is responsible for accurately selecting products from inventory using pick lists or Warehouse Management System (WMS) instructions. This role uses RF handhelds and material handling equipment to ensure efficient and accurate picking, labeling, packing, staging and shipping of items for outbound orders. The Associate also assists with stock replenishment, special orders, and putaway tasks, while maintaining clean, organized storage areas. Reporting inventory issues, following safety procedures, and ensuring equipment is operated safely are key aspects of the role in supporting smooth warehouse operations.

Responsibilities

• Uses appropriate material handling equipment such as stock pickers, reach trucks, or forklifts to complete assigned tasks.
• Accurately picks items per pick lists or WMS instructions using RF handhelds.
• Labels and organizes picked items for downstream packing or shipping.
• Fills special and back-orders as material is received.
• Inspects items for defects, verifies contents against packing lists/WMS, packs security with appropriate materials, labels packages correctly, and confirms item and quantity accuracy within the WMS.
• Notifies supervisor of inventory discrepancies, damaged goods, or shortages.
• Communicates with warehouse teams regarding packaging supply needs or order discrepancies.
• Safely operates material handling equipment (stock pickers, reach truck, forklifts), follows all safety procedures, and maintains a clean, organized work environment.
• Ensure timely and accurate shipping of orders, assists with workload balancing, and supports cross-functional warehouse activities as needed.
• Stages completed orders correctly, labels and prepares shipments, and works with logistics and transportation teams to ensure optimal shipment timing and accuracy.

Qualifications

2 years of work experience preferred. Prior warehouse distribution experience including forklift or stock picker operation preferred. Knowledge of electrical products/systems preferred. Experience with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) is a plus. PC working knowledge for Windows, Internet, email, and SAP software is a plus.

Skills and Abilities

Works in a safe manner and follows Border States safety program guidelines and policies. Excellent interpersonal communication (reading, writing, and speaking in English). Ability to effectively plan and organize. Ability to perform all aspects of the job as accurately, efficiently, and safely as possible.

Physical Requirements

Lift and carry requirements (weight and frequency): Occasionally 0 33% Frequently 34 66% Continuously: 67 100% Lift from Floor to Waist: < than 10 lbs. - Occasionally 10 to 25 lbs. - Occasionally 26 to 50 lbs. - Occasionally 51 to 75 lbs. - Occasionally 76 to 100 lbs. - Occasionally 101 + lbs. - Occasionally Above Waist Lift: < than 10 lbs. - Occasionally 10 to 25 lbs. - Occasionally 26 to 50 lbs. - Occasionally 51 to 75 lbs. - Occasionally 76 to 100 lbs. - Occasionally 101+ lbs. - Not at all Unilateral Carry: < than 10 lbs. - Occasionally 10 to 25 lbs. - Occasionally 26 to 50 lbs. - Not at all 51 to 75 lbs. - Not at all 76 to 100 lbs. - Not at all 101+ lbs. - Not at all Bilateral Carry: < than 10 lbs. - Occasionally 10 to 25 lbs. - Occasionally 26 to 50 lbs. - Occasionally 51 to 75 lbs. - Occasionally 76 to 100 lbs. - Not at all 101+ lbs. - Not at all Physical Activity Frequency at which you would do the following in a typical day: Sitting (a continuous period of being seated) - Frequently Standing (for sustained periods of time) - Occasionally Walking (moving about on foot to accomplish tasks) - Occasionally Bending/Stooping (downward and forward) - Occasionally Crawling (moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet) - Not at all Climbing/Walking Stairs (ascending or descending) - Occasionally Reaching (extending arms in any direction) - Frequently Crouching/Squatting (bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine) - Occasionally Kneeling (bending legs at knee to come to rest on knee(s)) - Not at all Balancing (maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling) - Frequently Repetitive Motion (substantial movement (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers) - Occasionally Trunk Rotation (movement in any direction, whether standing or sitting, with at least one foot stationary and in contact with the floor) - Occasionally Pushing/Pulling (using upper extremities to press against or draw or tug) - Occasionally Handling (applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm) - Continuously Fingering (picking, pinching, typing; working primarily with fingers and not whole hand) - Frequently Talking (expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word) - Occasionally Driving (the control and operation of a fork lift) - Frequently Desk Work (tasks generally performed at a desk, including use of a computer, printer, fax machine, telephone and other office equipment) - Occasionally Use of tools (safely operate equipment needed for receiving, conveying, stocking, packaging, and shipping parts) - Frequently Hearing (perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels) - Continuously Exposure to adverse weather & temperature conditions - Frequently Travel (travel needed to perform job duties) - Not at all

Additional Information

This job description is a summary of the job duties and responsibilities and is not intended to cover all possible job duties and is subject to change at the employer's discretion. Employees must be able to perform the essential job duties and satisfy job requirements either with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Our History

Border States is a leader in the electrical supply distribution industry with approximately 130 locations in 31 states. Our employee-owners are second to none in delivering top-notch customer service and in demonstrating extra-ordinary people skills. We are one of the largest independent electrical distributors in the United States providing products and services to the construction, industrial and utility industries.

Employee-ownership is a significant part of our culture and our success stems from the dedication of our employee-owners. We practice open-book management and our employee-owners are empowered with clearly defined levels of authority to be innovative and decisive, allowing us to respond quickly to the needs of customers. Employee-owners understand their roles in the success of the company and care about customers' needs, which drives our focus on adding value to everything we do.

Values

As a Border States employee-owner, you're responsible for living our mission, service philosophy and service standards.

Your career

Join an experienced team at one of the largest electrical distributors in the United States. What are you waiting for? Border States has a competitive benefits package which includes but is not limited to: Health, Dental and Vision Benefits Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity FSA & HSA Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Disability Benefits 401(k) Retirement Plan Life Insurance Employee Assistance Program Paid Holidays Paid Volunteer Time Personal Leave time and more!

Equal Opportunity For All

It's not just the law. It's something we've believed in since our founding. We value the diversity of all of our employee-owners and will always be an equal opportunity employer. Drug Free/Smoke Free workplace Employment may be contingent on the offered candidate successfully passing one or more of the following pre-employment screenings: Criminal background check (required for all positions) Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check (required for positions involving driving) Drug testing The MVR check and drug testing vary by role and will be communicated to the offered candidate during the onboarding process and as applicable.