Industrial Warehouseperson is a person who orders, stores, inventories and distributes repair and replacement parts/materials used in: raw material processing, construction, plant and road maintenance, machinery and mechanical maintenance and repair and such other materials and supplies normally stored in an industrial warehouse concept.

Similar to Automotive Partsperson in duties, the Industrial Warehouseperson specializes in the movement and distribution of raw materials such as lumber, coal, ore, metals, grain and malt.

What do these workers do?
(Source: BC Work Futures)

Store and catalogue parts. Items must be catalogued and stored in an orderly and accessible manner so they can be found quickly. A partsperson also monitors inventory levels and reorders supplies.

Package and ship goods. Customer orders need to be shipped in a timely manner.

Use a computerized inventory system. Familiarity with computer databases is an important part of the job. A major part of the apprenticeship training involves computerized inventory systems, so certified partspersons have a definite advantage over non-certified workers.

Give customers installation guidance. You should be able to anticipate everything a customer will need. A customer who orders a new water pump will likely also need a new gasket and thermometer.

Prepare shipping documents. Track goods after they have been shipped and follow up with requests and billing.

Update catalogue and supplier listings. People will come to you with obscure parts needs. If you are up to date on parts catalogues and supplier changes, you will likely find what the customer wants, and do it quickly.

Remain on top of specifications changes and recalls. Professional partspersons are aware of changes to parts and compatibility issues between parts that are currently in use.

Talk with customers on the phone or in person at parts counters. Your business depends on giving customers what they need, which is the right part at the right price. You may have to explain several options and walk them through the installation process.

Order parts for inventory as well as fill special orders. Maintaining a balance of inventory to orders is an important part of the job. Keeping rarely needed parts in stock is expensive but you will want to have a constant supply of the parts your customers regularly need.

Read the full Industrial Warehouseperson Profile (40Kb pdf).

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