What are the responsibilities and job description for the Crating and Packaging Associate position at SURPLUS SOLUTIONS HOLDINGS LLC?
Job Description
Position Title: | Crating & Packaging Associate |
Department: | Warehouse |
Reports To: | Warehouse Manager |
Location: | Woonsocket, RI |
Employment Type: | Full Time, Long-Term |
Schedule: | Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
About Us
Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Woonsocket, RI, Surplus Solutions is a world-leading provider of Equipment Lifecycle Management (ELM) services focused on procuring and reselling clinical, research, laboratory, and processing equipment for the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, life sciences, and healthcare end-markets. Through an actively cultivated network of sourcing relationships, the Company obtains laboratory, processing, and packaging equipment across a wide range of sizes and use cases, either via outright purchase or consignment. This equipment is resold through multiple channels to a large and diverse buyer base of life sciences market participants.
Position Overview
The Crating & Packaging Associate is responsible for building custom wood crates and protective packaging to safely prepare high-value laboratory and industrial equipment for shipment. Every piece of equipment is different, so this role calls for someone who can size up a shipment, apply general packing specifications, and build a crate that will hold up in transit — without needing engineering drawings to get there. This is a hands-on, long-term position with room to grow into an independent, go-to crater for the facility.
What Success Looks Like
First 2 Weeks: Building crates that meet our current crater's quality and shipping requirements, working alongside experienced staff for guidance.
30 Days: Consistently producing acceptable, ship-ready crates with support and coaching available as needed.
60–90 Days: Independently designing and building crates for a wide range of equipment types with minimal oversight, asking for guidance on unfamiliar or unusual shipments.
Key Responsibilities
Crating & Packaging
- Build custom wood crates and packaging to safely ship laboratory and industrial equipment, sizing crate design to each piece of equipment.
- Apply general packing specifications to determine crate style, bracing, and cushioning — no formal drawings required; learn through hands-on training and by asking questions.
- Select and prepare appropriate materials (lumber, foam, plastic wrap, strapping, etc.) for each build.
- Identify special handling needs for fragile, sensitive, or high-value equipment and adjust crate design accordingly.
- Label crates clearly and completely, including any handling instructions, weight, and destination information.
- Use in-house tools and equipment (all crate-building tools are provided on site) safely and in good working order.
Order Fulfillment & Shipping Support
- Coordinate with warehouse and logistics staff to sequence crating work around shipment deadlines.
- Verify crated equipment against packing lists and shipping paperwork prior to pickup.
- Assist with staging and loading of crated equipment for freight pickup.
Cross-Functional Warehouse Support (as needed)
- Pick and stage equipment for outgoing orders when crating volume is light.
- Operate a forklift and pallet jack to load and unload trucks.
- Assist customers on-site as needed.
Safety & Process Compliance
- Maintain a clean, organized, and safe crating and packaging work area.
- Follow all company safety procedures and OSHA guidelines, including safe use of power tools and material handling equipment.
- Follow documented standard operating procedures consistently to support standardized, scalable processes across sites.
Qualifications
Required
- Experience building crates, custom packaging, or working with wood and hand/power tools (carpentry, construction, or industrial packaging background all welcome).
- Strong attention to detail and pride in producing quality, ship-ready work.
- Ability to lift and move moderate-to-heavy equipment and materials.
- Comfortable operating material handling equipment (forklift experience preferred).
- Strong teamwork and communication skills, including proactively asking questions when unsure.
Preferred
- Prior experience crating or packaging equipment for freight shipment.
- Forklift certification.
- Experience handling laboratory, medical, or industrial equipment.
- Familiarity with shipping documentation and freight coordination.
Key Competencies
Craftsmanship: Builds sturdy, well-fitted crates that protect equipment through transit.
Problem-Solving: Adapts crate design to fit each unique piece of equipment using general specs and sound judgment.
Safety Awareness: Follows best practices to prevent damage and injury when using tools and material handling equipment.
Process Discipline: Follows documented SOPs consistently to support standardized operations across sites.
Adaptability: Moves fluidly between crating, picking, loading, and customer support as priorities shift.
Reliability & Accountability: Takes ownership of assigned tasks and meets shipping deadlines consistently.