The demand for Packers is on the rise, as there is significant growth in the e-commerce and logistics industry in Canada. A packer can also be referred to as an order picker in Canada; the roles are the same and crucial in ensuring that the aim of production is achieved. A Packer or an Order Picker is hired to help customers pick up the correct items and ensure that they reach the intended customer. Most shop owners, shippers, and online shopping companies are common employers who need the services of an order picker to pick up their customers’ orders. Suppose you are interested in the role of an order picker or packer. In that case, this article will guide you through the job requirements, potential employers in the industry, the application process, and the benefits of working as a packer/order picker in Canada.
Top Employers Hiring Order Picker/Packers in Canada
Some top employers hiring packers in Canada include:
- Logistics and warehousing companies
- Manufacturing firms
- Distribution and fulfillment centers
- E-commerce and retail companies
Job Summary
Requirements and Qualifications
- Age: You must be at least 18 years old to work in Canada
- Language skills: You must be proficient in either French or English. A good understanding of either of the languages will improve your rapport with your colleagues.
- Education background: No special education is required for a packer job in Canada, but the possession of an advanced certificate, like a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, will increase your chances of success.
- Physical Ability: You must have the ability to move heavy loads, lift, and stand for a longer period.
- Attention to detail: You must be able to pay attention to every detail and instructions from your supervisor and senior colleagues.
- Basic knowledge of Operations and Services: As an order picker/packer, you must understand the type of services and operational procedures of the company.
- Communication skills: You must be able to communicate effectively with customers, colleagues, and staff members.
- Adaptability: You must be able to adapt to the fast-paced work environment and always meet productivity demands.
- Technical skills: You must be able to handle the warehouse system and all other mechanisms used.
- Teamwork: You must be able to work together with your team members to achieve a better result.
- Knowledge of safety Practices: You must have the basic
Responsibilities
- Picking and Packing Customer’s orders: An order picker or packer selects and packages products according to customer preference, ensuring correct items are picked in the desired quantities, and the right packaging materials are used.
- Maintaining a Clean and Organized workplace: Your warehouse or storage house must be very well maintained in an organized manner and free of hazardous waste or materials that can harm you or other people.
- Warehouse Operations and Management: Order picker or packer jobs oversee the business at the warehouse and manage the stock at the warehouse.
- Meeting the Productivity Targets: As an order picker or packer in Canada, one must be able to meet the production demands, including the standards and deadlines set for order picking or packing.
- Collaborating with Colleagues: You must be able to work effectively with your colleagues, other warehouse staff, including supervisors, inventory managers, and shipping teams, to ensure a proper operation.
- Providing Excellent Customer Service: An order picker or packer must make sure that orders are fulfilled accurately and are ready before deadline. Other features of a food customer service is by responding to customer inquiries and resolving issues promptly.
- Receiving and Storing Inventory: As an order picker, you will be responsible for receiving, inspecting, and stocking inventory and materials, as well as processing returns, losses, and damaged goods.
- Following Safety Procedures: You must follow all the safety protocols and procedures to prevent office accidents and ensure a safe working environment for everyone.
- Record keeping and management: You must be able to manage all records of orders, shipments, warehouse records, and report any issues to your senior colleagues for prompt action.
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Benefits of Working as a Packer/Order Picker
- Competitive salary: Order picker receives around $17 per hour in Canada. Even though this payment structure depends on the level of skills, experience, and location.
- Compensation package: Many Canadian employers do offer various benefits and packages to their employees, such as health insurance, dental insurance, pension plans, annual leave, etc.
- Job security: The roles of an order picker or packer are always needed to meet the demands of various industries, such as logistics, warehousing, e-commerce, and manufacturing. Most employers also offer full-time positions to skilled and talented workers.
- Career Growth and Development: You can get promoted into roles like supervisory or management roles, or other special roles. There are also various on-the-job training programs and development programs to enroll in to develop your skills and update your knowledge.
- Flexible Schedules: Some Canadian employers offer different work schedules for their workers, such as part-time, seasonal work, which is very good for the workers because they can easily manage their work and life.
- Quality Experience: A Packer or Order picker will perform a different range of tasks, including operating warehouse equipment, record keeping, picking and packaging customers’ orders, etc. You can gain a lot of quality experience working in that role in Canada.
- Standard Living: When you work in Canada, you will get access to various social amenities, opportunities, free healthcare services, etc, which are essential to living a standard life.
- Permanent Residency: An order picker or packer job can get you a permanent residency in Canada. After several years of work experience in Canada, along with the level of skills and qualifications, you can apply for permanent residency in Canada.
How to Apply
- Search for Job Openings: You can use different online job portals to search for an order picker or packer job in Canada. Examples are Indeed, Workopolis, LinkedIn , etc. You can also explore other channels like the company’s career websites, recruitment agencies, or networking with potential employers and senior colleagues by attending events like job fairs.
- Update your resume and cover letter: You can customize your resume and cover letter to suit the requirements and qualifications of the job. Ensure that your resume contains all the required skills, certificates, experience, etc.
- Interview Preparation: To ace your interview, you can research the company websites, their missions and objectives, and also practise some interview questions and answers, such as What experience do you have in warehouse operations? How would you handle a nagging customer complaint about ordered goods, etc.?
- Apply for the Job: You can proceed to submit your application via the job portal, including your resume and cover letter, to successfully complete your application.
- Follow Up: Ensure to follow up on your application by replying to all messages from your employer.
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Top Tips for a Successful Application for an Order Picker or Packer Job in Canada
- Design Your Resume and Cover Letter: Show all your relevant work experience, emphasize any quality experience you have in warehousing, logistics, or manufacturing. You also have to include the key skills, examples are teamwork, language proficiency, attention to detail, physical stamina, adaptability, and ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
- Preparation for Interview: Job Interview questions are mostly about the company’s history, missions, and goals. You can learn about the company’s values, mission, and culture to show your interest and enthusiasm. And you must also practice all common interview questions and answers. These actions will increase your confidence and courage during the interview.
- Showcase Your Skills: During your interview, be confident to discuss your ability to lift, bend, and be able to withstand physical and emotional pressure. You can also show any relevant certifications. If you have certificates such as WHMIS or forklift operation, it will boost your job application.
- Follow Up: You must follow up on your job application after applying, let your employer know about your interest in the position, and inquire about the status of your application. This will be proof of enthusiasm and interest in the company.
Visa Options for Order Pickers/Packers in Canada
The Canadian government offers several visa options for foreign workers who are looking forward to joining the country’s workforce as an order picker and packer. Below are some of the most common visa options for you:
- Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP): This is the most common type of visa for foreign workers. This allows Canadian employers to hire foreign workers to fill temporary labor shortages. The visa is best suitable for seasonal or temporary work, such as fruit picking and packing jobs.
- International Mobility Program (IMP): This visa enables Canadian employers to hire foreign workers without an LMIA, i.e, Labour market impact assessment, in certain situations. It involves various streams, such as working holiday visas and international students.
- Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP): This visa is specifically for agricultural jobs or temporary jobs in Canada. It is established to address labor shortages in agriculture, including fruit picking and packing. It gives room for Canadian employers to hire foreign workers for seasonal agricultural work.
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Conclusion
Packer/order picker jobs in Canada offer a great career path with numerous benefits and opportunities for growth and development. With the above information provided about job requirements, application process, and benefits of working in this field, you can take the first step towards a successful career in logistics and warehousing.