Description:
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
Application Deadline: Posted Until Filled
Please note that the position may be filled before or after the listed application deadline. Applications will only be accepted while the posting remains active.
The Distribution Center (DC) Warehouse Associate - Inbound is responsible for unloading, inspecting, and accurately processing incoming shipments using warehouse equipment and systems. This role ensures products are verified against purchase orders, labeled, and staged for putaway, while maintaining accurate inventory records in the Warehouse Management System (WMS). The associate communicates with quality control and other departments to resolve discrepancies, consolidates inventory for space efficiency, and keeps stock locations organized. Adherence to safety procedures, proper equipment uses, and maintaining a clean, orderly work area are essential to supporting efficient distribution center operations.
Essential Functions
- Uses appropriate material handling equipment such as stock pickers, reach trucks, or forklifts to complete assigned tasks.
- Receives and inspects incoming shipments, unloads using appropriate equipment, verifies accuracy against POs/ASNs, and reports any damage or discrepancies.
- Processes inbound goods in the WMS, including deconsolidation, labeling, staging, and accurate system receiving.
- Puts away materials to designated storage locations—including pallet racking, narrow aisle racking, and AutoStore—while maintaining clean, accurate, and organized inventory areas.
- Maintains inventory accuracy by completing cycle counts, audits, consolidations, and proper labeling of batch-managed items using RF handhelds and WMS updates.
- Communicates issues or needs, such as damages, shortages, compliance checks, or inventory concerns, to the appropriate departments, vendors, or carriers.
- Adheres to safety standards, operates equipment safely, follows PPE and warehouse safety practices, and promptly reports any product, equipment, or safety issues.
- Supports overall DC operations and maintains a clean, organized receiving and putaway environment.
Non-essential Functions
- Notifies supervisor of any building or equipment maintenance, repair needs, and/or any security concerns.
- Assists with other duties/projects as assigned by supervisor/manager.
- Cross trains in other operations areas such as picking, packing, shipping, and inventory control.
- Supports operational flow during peak times or staff shortages.
- Other duties as assigned by supervisor or designate.
- 2 years of work experience preferred.
- Prior warehouse distribution experience including forklift 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.
- 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.
- Excellent customer service skills include being competent, accurate, responsive and engaged.
- Ability to performs all aspects of the job as accurately, efficiently, and safely as possible.
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
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
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. Border States has a competitive benefit package and is a 100 percent employee-owned company. 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. We recognize that not all customers are the same and each has specific requirements. Our employee-owners understand these diverse needs and have the commitment, resourcefulness and flexibility to outperform all others.
Values
As a Border States employee-owner, you’re responsible for living our mission, service philosophy and service standards.
Our Purpose
We believe unstoppable businesses shouldn't go it alone. We are owners - of relationships, of outcomes, of every moment these unstoppable businesses need to deliver.
Service Philosophy
We earn customer loyalty and confidence by caring about their needs and adding value to everything we do.
Service Standards
Border States employee-owners are competent, accurate, responsive, and engaged .
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!
Border States provides bonuses to their employee-owners upon the achievement of branch and company goals.
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.
