Outbound Associate Jobs in Suffolk, VA (NOW HIRING)

Mercana is one of North America's leading home furnishings wholesalers, with interior designers and retail partners around the globe. As a "design-first" company, we produce unique pieces for the home each season, including wall art, furniture, lighting, and home decor accessories.

We are seeking a hardworking and positive individual to join our Warehouse Team. This team plays a crucial role in managing the inventory and movement of our products. The successful candidate will be a well-organized team player who prioritizes safety while pursuing quality work. Above all, they have a positive attitude and contribute to our respectful work environment.

Hourly position starting at $18.00 plus benefits.

The Warehouse Associate is central to the execution of Mercana's distribution and warehousing operations, working across outbound (picking, packing, loading), inbound (receiving, put-away), and general functions (returns, inventory, and sample management).

A dedicated part of the role is sample management — picking, assembling, packing, and tracking samples and stock items for product reviews, photoshoots, and visual merchandising — coordinated closely with the Design and Merchandising teams.

The focus is timely, efficient, and error-free completion of assigned work that meets and helps exceed individual, department, and warehouse performance metrics. This is a foundational hourly role; Associates grow in responsibility and level (O1 to O2) by mastering all warehouse functions over time.

Key responsibilities include:

• Gather items from bins and palletized locations and pack orders for shipment in a timely manner.
• Conduct quality-control checks to ensure order accuracy and product integrity.
• Use RF scanners and the warehouse management system (WMS) to track inventory and manage orders; create shipping documents and labels.
• Communicate with internal stakeholders when orders are ready to ship.
• Load palletized orders into delivery vessels for safe transport.
• Ensure orders are properly wrapped, supported, labelled, and documented to minimize transit damage.
• Stock and organize inventory within the distribution center.
• Confirm product received against the BOL and inventory systems; inspect for damage and report discrepancies.
• Assign warehouse locations for received items and document accurately in the inventory management system.
• Physically return cancelled and returned items to the correct bins or locations.
• Receive returned goods in the inventory system and move them to Quality Control; use RF scanners to bring product back into inventory and assign bins/pallets.
• Ensure timely, accurate daily processing of returns on Mercana's eCommerce platform, including put-away and reshipment; implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Participate in regular audits and cycle counts; identify and address discrepancies and maintain accurate records.
• Communicate inventory movements and ensure prompt system adjustments to reflect accurate levels.
• Barcode any items missing barcodes to ensure accurate tracking and identification.
• Pick samples and stock items accurately and on time for product reviews and photoshoots.
• Unbox and assemble samples and stock items to provided guidelines and standards, taking care to avoid damage.
• Pack and label items for return or storage; ensure physical disposition of all samples — returning to the warehouse or to sales locations.
• Move large furniture items safely and coordinate sample inventory movements with the Warehouse lead and Design / Merchandising teams.
• Follow safety protocols during heavy lifting and loading/unloading; operate mechanical assists (forklift, pallet jack, raised platforms) and work safely at heights.
• Maintain clean workspaces, work collaboratively, and participate in process- and procedure-improvement projects.
• During downtime, support other warehouse activities (picking, packing, put-away, container unloading) as directed; additional duties may be assigned.

Qualifications include:

• High school diploma or equivalent; positive, reliable attitude.
• Experience in warehouse operations and picking/packing; sample handling and product assembly an asset.
• Basic computer acumen; familiarity with RF scanners, WMS, and barcode / inventory management systems.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and multitasking skills; able to follow assembly guidelines.
• Physically fit for repetitive bending, twisting, reaching, and lifting; able to handle furniture up to 300 lbs with support equipment.
• Comfortable working at heights up to 30 ft on secure safety equipment.
• Fluent in English (oral and written). Reliable transportation an asset. Steel-toed safety shoes required; additional PPE provided.