Inbound Logistics Receiving & Material Handling

1.1 Secure & Prepare the Trailer for Safe Unload

• Before opening the dock door, visually inspect for bent tracks, broken springs, or damaged panels. If damaged, tag the door as INOP and notify the Area Manager. Do not prop doors open with improvised devices (pallets, boards, debris).
• An open dock door with no trailer present is an unguarded fall hazard of four feet or more. A physical fall barrier (dock chain, safety bar, or retractable belt) must span the full opening whenever a dock door is open and no trailer is present. Cones or tape are not acceptable substitutes.
• Communicate with the incoming driver to confirm they are backing into the correct dock door. Confirm the trailer is squared flush against the dock bumpers with no excessive gap before beginning the safety sequence. Do not stand on the dock apron while the trailer is actively backing.
• Scan TDR QR code and complete the Docking portion of the TDR Inspection Form before unloading begins.
• Engage the Glad Hand Lock on the trailer's emergency brake air hose connector. This is the primary vehicle restraint device and must be engaged before any employee or equipment enters the trailer. It must remain engaged for the entire unloading operation.
• Place wheel chocks on both sides of the rear wheels on level ground (not only the driver side). Chocks must be snug against the tire tread, not placed under the trailer frame or axle. Do not rely on the trailer's parking brakes as a substitute for wheel chocks.
• Engage the dock plate so it fully bridges the gap between the dock floor and the trailer floor. Confirm the plate is fully seated on both surfaces. Know the rated weight capacity of your dock plate (stamped on the plate) and do not exceed it with your PIT and load combined.
• Before any PIT or foot traffic enters the trailer, ensure the following:
• Landing Gear: If a drop trailer, confirm legs are fully deployed and making solid ground contact.
• Floor Integrity: Walk the dock plate and physically test suspect floor areas with your foot before driving equipment over them.
• Visually and physically check the trailer floor for soft spots, holes, rot, or damaged floorboards before driving equipment over them.
• Dock Plate Seating: Confirm full seating on both the dock floor and the trailer floor lip.
• Trailer Level: Look down the trailer length, visible tilt or lean means do not enter until resolved.
• Wheel Restraints: Personally verify chocks are in place, do not assume it was done.
• Overhead Clearance: Confirm trailer interior height accommodates the loaded PIT and mast height.
• Do not unload the trailer until all of the above TDR-related steps are complete.
• After completing both forms, confirm the inspection record or other visual indicator is posted on the designated clipboard at the corresponding dock door for the duration of the trailer's docking period. This clipboard serves as the visual indicator of each dock door's TDR status.
• If a trailer fails the pre-entry safety verification, it must not be entered. The Operations Manager must complete the OM Authorization Form before any deviation is permitted.

1.2 Begin unloading palletized freight safely with a forklift or pallet jack

• Grab a mobilized Zebra printer with a scanner.
• Log into Cargo by navigating to https://cargo.nellisauction.com/
• Click on “Operations”
• Click on “Receiving”
• Enter the Load ID that is attached to the trailer you have docked
• Complete the steps below to confirm the load ID:
• Navigate to “Operations” in Cargo
• Click on “Logistics”
• Click on “Trailers”
• Type in the trailer number that is on the inside wall or the nose of the trailer (this will tell you the correct load ID and Program attached to the trailer).
• Click “Create Pallet.” (*Note: Only generate & print orange pallet tags as pallets are physically removed from the trailer to avoid generating extra, unnecessary tags that will later need to be voided).
• Scan the generated QR code with the Zebra scanner; 3 tags should be printed out for each pallet.
• Place one Orange Pallet ID tag on the top right edge of the front & back face of the shuddle and a third tag on one of the first units of inventory at the top of the pile. This first unit will become the first unit that Processors interact with and will serve as an indicator that their load ID has changed.
  
• Verify that all pallets from the trailer/load are tagged and accounted for with no extra tags. If extra tags are accidentally printed in excess, notify and Area Manager immediately and request to have them voided/trashed same-day.
• Click “No More Pallets.”

1.3Trailer Closure and Release

• Sweep the trailer of any major debris or trash.
• Remove wheel chocks and return them to their designated storage location.
• Remove the Glad Hand Lock from the emergency brake air hose connector.
• Return the dock plate to its flat stored position, never lean it against a wall or rack.
• Confirm all employees and equipment are clear of the trailer and dock well.
• Close the dock door completely and confirm it is latched.
• After confirming the dock door is closed and all safety equipment is removed, complete the Trailer Release Form by scanning the TDR QR Code.
• Signal the driver (radio, intercom, or green dock light) that the trailer is cleared for departure. Do not signal until the door is confirmed closed and all personnel are away from the dock apron and the trailer's swing radius.

1.4Stage and Scan Inventory

• Go to Cargo (https://cargo.nellisauction.com/).
• Click on “Operations”
• Click on “Move Pallets”
• Scan Pallet tag barcode.
• Scan the pallet to the assigned staging location as directed by your AM. Bulk stage locations are designated for later processing, processing stations, or dock doors awaiting processing. Staging locations are determined based on operational need and role ownership. Operators unloading trailers are responsible for selecting and scanning pallets into bulk storage locations when product is not immediately needed for processing. Feedline is responsible for determining and staging pallets to dock doors or processing stations when product is needed to support active lines. Priority should always be given to keeping processing lines full, if there is active demand, pallets should be staged for immediate processing, if not, they should be directed to bulk storage. All staging decisions must be scanned and recorded in the system to maintain inventory accuracy.

2.1 Scan all pallet movements

• Go to Cargo
• Click on Operations
• Click on Move Pallets
• Scan Load ID tag
• Scan the staging location: bulk floor/ dock location/ and processing location

Do not move pallets without scanning to maintain full inventory traceability

3.1Build and Secure Pallets or Shuttles

Apply steps 2.2–2.5 here

• Stack product evenly
• Maintain safe height (OSHA Laws and Regulation states storage of materials shall be stacked and limited in height, so they are stable and secure. Height reference has been stackable pallets at 60–72 inches and non-stackable pallets at 48–60 inches to prevent tipping and/or damage.)
• Wrap pallets securely with stretch wrap

3.2 Tagging Inventory

• Grab a mobilized Zebra printer with a scanner
• Click on Operations
• Go to Receiving
• Enter Load ID
• Click Create Pallet (Only create tags as pallets come off the trailer to avoid making extra tags)
• Scan the generated QR code with the Zebra scanner; 3 tags should be printed out for each pallet.
• Place one Load ID tag on the top-right-hand side of the pallet, and another tag on the back-right-hand side.
• Verify all pallets are tagged and accounted for
• Click No More Pallets

3.3 Removal and Staging

• Ensure all products are removed from the trailer
• Forklift operator stages and scans into the location

3.4 Post-Unload Responsibilities

• Remove debris
• Scan the TDR QR code to release
• Remove safety equipment
• Clean trailer and dock

Feedline is responsible for safely transporting and staging materials to ensure a continuous and efficient flow of product to the processing line.

4.1 Complete the forklift equipment checklist prior to equipment use

• Daily use inspections are located here or accessible from the nellis.biz/safety site.
• Do not operate equipment without a completed inspection

• Safely transport pallets from staging to processing lines
• Stage pallets in the assigned designated processing station using the “Move Pallets” tool inside Cargo
• Scan all physical pallet movements in Cargo. If a pallet is physically moved from one location to another, there should be a systemic scan to match.
• Ensure accurate location tracking at all times.
• Maintain safe operating practices at all times.
• Monitor line demand and prevent product shortages.

The Sortable Inventory Loading role is responsible for filling conveyor trays with product and maintaining a constant flow of unprocessed goods.

5.1 Identify the load ID and remove the tag from the shuttle

• Load items into conveyor trays
• When unloading a new pallet, place the Load ID tag on the first item in the conveyor tray. The item should be facing the processor. Along with the visual indicator, the Material Handler should communicate the pallet transition to the processor.
• Ensure totes are not overfilled or underutilized
• Group similar items to support efficient processing
• Maintain a steady flow of totes full of product to prevent delays.
• Maintain an organized and clean work area

The Trash role is responsible for maintaining a clean, safe, and operationally efficient environment across the floor with the goal of keeping Inventory Processors processing as consistently as possible.

6.1 Continuously Monitor Processing Lines for Debris

• Remove empty boxes, plastic wrap, and loose trash from the processing line and surrounding areas
• Transport waste to the designated receptacle, including but not limited to compactors, open-top roll-off dumpsters, cardboard balers, etc. Take care to sort waste according to waste sortation standards for best results.
• Remove debris from active work areas.
• Support other departments (i.e. Warehousing, Customer Service & Returns) with trash removal
• Maintain a clean, safe, and obstruction-free environment
• Replace trash receptacles at work stations as quickly as possible to minimize downtime for Inventory Processors (or other employees in different departments and locations within the warehouse).

Backline Material Handlers are responsible for filling the processing lines with product and maintaining consistent operational flow.

7.1 Lift boxes safely onto the conveyor line

• Open boxes and remove product for processing
• Evenly distribute product across the conveyor while keeping the line full
• Maintain a clean and organized work area
• Remove empty boxes and debris as work progresses
• Adjust belt loading pace based on processor speed and demand. If the processor is moving quickly and running through the product at a high rate, that’s a clear visual to pick up the pace and keep the line full. If the line starts dwindling or running low on product, that station becomes the priority and must be filled immediately to prevent slowdowns. XL items move faster through processing and should be prioritized over smaller items to maintain flow
• Communicate with Downstack and leadership if the flow is disrupted

Downstack Material Handlers are responsible for clearing processed products from conveyor lines and ensuring continuous flow.

8.1 Continuously monitor the conveyor for processed items

• Remove items from the conveyor promptly

8.2 Place items onto the correct equipment:

• Speed packs (small/medium items)
• Red carts (Large/Heavy/XL items)
• Floor dollies (Large/HeavyXL items)

8.3 Sort and organize products to support Putaway efficiency

• Ensure proper weight distribution when loading equipment
• Transport full equipment safely to the assigned aisles for putaway
• Return empty equipment quickly to maintain flow
• Maintain awareness of conveyor volume at all times
• Adjust pace to prevent backups or stoppages
• Maintain a clean and clear work area

This step is mandatory and must be completed every time prior to shipment to ensure accuracy and proper system alignment.

**Gavel will send over a BOL when a shipment is ready, attached to a whole unique ID and Load ID**

9.1 Verify Wholesale ID matches Load ID

Apply step 1.1 here

• Open Cargo
• Click on the left side of the screen for more options
• Go to Parcel Retool
• Click on Wholesale transactions
• Type in the unique wholesale transaction ID in the search bar
• Ensure the ID attached has the same load ID and pallet count as what you physically have
• Physically load all pallets of the load ID for the shipment onto the trailer of the driver who arrives
• Click into the shipment and scroll down
• Print 3 copies of the BOL
• Sign the BOLs and give all 3 to the driver to sign
• Grab a trailer seal and lock the trailer doors to secure the load
• Write the trailer seal number on the BOLs
• Give 2 copies to the driver, and file one in-house
• Immediately upload BOL in the section below
• Place the load into “Transit” status
• Do not release shipments without verification