what is a shipping and receiving clerk?
Shipping and receiving clerks play essential roles in the supply chain. The process starts when warehouses order products or raw materials. Once the delivery arrives, you'll receive and process the shipment, then check the inventory for lost or damaged goods. If everything looks right, you'll distribute the delivery to the right departments. Sometimes, this means using heavy machinery to transport packages yourself.
Similarly, shipping and receiving clerks keep extensive records so that you can check inventory counts, review past orders and request replacements for damaged items. If your numbers don't add up with the supplier's, you'll figure out what went missing. This ensures a full inventory stocked with usable products.
When customers place an order, you'll remove the stock from the inventory, then double-check the purchase before preparing postage, packing slips, and other paperwork. You may authorize payment and arrange transportation. If customers request a refund, you'll arrange for a return and record the transaction.
Sometimes, employers hire assistants, order pickers, or machine operators. You'll train workers to locate inventory, package items, and prepare deliveries on schedule. Likewise, you'll undergo training when the warehouse adopts new technologies. Overall, your coworkers count on your strong recordkeeping and up-to-date knowledge.
Would working as a shipping and receiving clerk suit your organizational skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a shipping and receiving clerk role.
view jobs near youaverage shipping and receiving clerk salary
Would you like to know what a shipping and receiving clerk earns? Where the highest salaries are paid for a shipping and receiving clerk? Then check out this shipping and receiving clerk salary page and find out all about the salary of a shipping and receiving clerk in the USA.
types of shipping and receiving clerk
Shipping and receiving clerks work in various industries, including manufacturing, retail, food and beverage, transportation and wholesale goods. Your options range from major corporations to small businesses that ship their products to local buyers. If you worked in the industry before, you'll have an advantage when you apply for a job.
Each industry requires a specific skill set. For example, if you work for a bookstore, you might enter new books into the system, add price tags, return unsold books to the supplier, and transport books to different locations.
working as a shipping and receiving clerk
Every day looks different for shipping and receiving clerks. Learn about the qualifications and what to expect from a typical shift.
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shipping and receiving clerk job description
What does a shipping and receiving clerk do? To start, you'll count and record each item in the shipment, often using a barcode scanner. You'll check your count alongside the supplier's and report missing or damaged items. After notifying your supervisor, you may request a refund or replacement. Afterward, you'll add the shipment to the store's inventory.
If the shipment doesn't arrive at all, you'll contact the supplier and possibly make schedule adjustments. Sometimes, your drivers might lose a customer's shipment. You'll figure out what happened, reach out to the customer, and organize a replacement or refund. Likewise, you'll review returns, send the customer return packaging, and add the products back to your inventory.
To prepare and transport packages, you may use forklifts, dollies, pallet jacks, shrink-wrap machines, and other heavy equipment. Many employers offer training and licenses so that you can legally operate machinery. You might drive the delivery trucks yourself if you're understaffed.
Throughout the process, you'll communicate with customers, suppliers, and supervisors through phone, email, and in-person visits. Shipping and receiving clerks use software and tracking systems to ensure that deliveries arrive on time. You may also prepare reports for your supervisors and hold meetings to train new employees.
Some employers require yearly inventories in which you count every item in the warehouse. You'll help employees update your records with accurate counts, then order replacements and deal with overstock. Inventories help you assess problems and plan ahead for the coming quarter.
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shipping and receiving clerk work environment
Generally, shipping and receiving clerks work in an office inside the store, warehouse, or manufacturing plant. Remote jobs are rare because you need to inspect deliveries in person. You'll perform administrative tasks in the office, such as inputting data and sending emails. For hands-on responsibilities, you'll work on the warehouse floor.
The environment could expose you to extreme temperatures, loud machinery, and hazardous situations. You'll wear protective gear, follow safety procedures, and use safe lifting methods. Periodically, you may receive training about updated safety rules. Modeling responsible behavior encourages your colleagues to do the same, creating a secure work environment.
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who are your colleagues?
If you work in a warehouse, your colleagues may include loaders, truck drivers, maintenance workers, laborers, and material handlers. Smaller operations typically have owners, cashiers and sales associates. Some shipping and receiving clerks have assistants or work with people in similar professions, such as logistics coordinators and inventory specialists. You'll also interact with delivery drivers and staff from outside companies. Other colleagues may include supervisors, payroll managers, janitors, and HR employees.
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work schedule
Shipping and receiving clerks often work 40 hours a week during regular business hours. If you're on a tight schedule, you might have to arrive early, stay late, or work on weekends. Once you exceed 40 hours, your employer may give you overtime pay or an extra day off if you are not a salaried employee.
If an incident occurs, such as a lost shipment or employee shortage, your manager might unexpectedly call you to work. Shipping and receiving clerks sometimes take on other duties until management hires new workers. Since shipments often increase during the holidays, you can expect more hours and possible shifts on Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Part-time shipping and receiving clerk positions are rare because your job requires your full investment. However, you might find a part-time assistant job and eventually become a full-time clerk.
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job outlook for shipping and receiving clerk
Experts predict that employers will open over 130,000 shipping and receiving clerk positions from 2021 to 2031, replacing transferring and retiring workers. New warehouse and factory construction will create jobs in their regions. Technology may automate some tasks, making your job easier.
If you do well, you could work at the same company for several decades, taking advantage of their life insurance, health insurance, stock options, and retirement plans. Some shipping and receiving clerks advance to a supervisory position with more benefits and a pay increase.
Similar positions include stock handler, warehouse manager, production scheduler, forklift operator, and inventory clerk. These positions utilize skills that you learned as a shipping and receiving clerk, such as operating machinery and reviewing inventory, while adding new qualifications to your resume. Plus, you could possibly stay with the same employer.
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benefits of working for randstad as a shipping and receiving clerk
Working through Randstad offers you a range of benefits:
- being paid weekly
- flexibility
- always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
- many training opportunities
- a range of jobs in your area
Want a permanent contract? But you wonder why it would be interesting for you to work with a staffing company? A temporary job as a shipping and receiving clerk is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
shipping and receiving clerk skills and education
Generally, shipping and receiving clerks only need a high school diploma or GED. Employers don't ask for extensive qualifications because this is an entry-level position. You could transition from a starter job, such as working in retail, to a full-time job with a regular schedule.
At most, the manager might request an associate's degree and a year or two of experience. Fortunately, you could earn experience with one job and transition to a company with a higher salary. You can also leverage your past experience by choosing a relevant industry. For example, if you have only retail jobs on your resume, find a business involved in the retail trade.
Shipping and receiving clerks have to maintain machine-operating licenses. Your employer may recommend an OSHA-approved training program that includes lectures, a written test, hands-on experience, and a practical exam. Once you pass, you can use machinery safely and legally until the license expires.
Your employer may provide training about data entry software, barcode scanners, AI programs, and other technology that you'll use on the job. Supervisors also teach you about protective equipment, hazardous situations, and staying safe on the factory floor.
skills and competencies
Shipping and receiving clerks need to be mobile and active so that they can stand for long periods of time, walk long distances, and lift heavy loads. You don't have to be a bodybuilder, but managers prefer workers in decent shape. This also means knowing your limits and asking for help instead of potentially injuring yourself.
In the office, shipping and receiving clerks are organized and detail oriented. You track every item to maintain accurate inventory counts. When you have damaged or missing items, you act quickly to maintain your business's sales flow. You can also pull up records in minutes when your supervisor needs to review a shipment, delivery, or inventory count.
Suppliers enjoy working with you because you're professional and courteous. You greet them, help them unload, and politely bring up issues, such as damaged packaging, without blaming anyone. Since you maintain a good working relationship, suppliers go out of their way to assist you.
Customers also appreciate your communication skills. You listen to their concerns and make returns as quick and easy as possible. Likewise, you track their orders to ensure that everything arrives on time. If a problem arises, you think quickly and use your problem-solving skills to find the best solution.
FAQs about working as a shipping and receiving clerk
Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about shipping and receiving clerks.
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do shipping and receiving clerks operate machinery?
Shipping and receiving clerks sometimes operate warehouse machinery, including pallet jacks, dollies, and forklifts. You'll undergo training and earn licenses so that you can work on the factory floor. Periodically, you'll retake the tests to renew your licenses.
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how much education do shipping and receiving clerks need?
Many positions don't require more than a high school diploma although some employers prefer clerks with an associate's degree. You might qualify for more prestigious jobs if you pursue higher education. Some clerks take night classes so that they can earn a degree while they work.
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are shipping and receiving clerks eligible for benefits?
Since most shipping and receiving clerks work full time, your employer may offer benefits, such as health insurance, life insurance, vacation days, sick leave, stock options, and retirement plans. If you stay for a certain length of time, your employer could increase your benefits package.
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do shipping and receiving clerks work directly with customers?
While you don't work with customers on the sales floor, you might receive calls or emails. Customers reach out to you when they want a refund or have a shipping complaint. If they request a refund, you might send them packaging and mailing labels so that they can return the item.
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what does a shipping and receiving clerk's schedule look like?
Shipping and receiving clerks handle different tasks every day. For example, if you receive a shipment, you could spend the day counting items, reporting losses, and adding products to the inventory. If you don't have a shipment, you might focus on transporting packages, processing returns, and scheduling deliveries.
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how do I find a job as a shipping and receiving clerk?
Applying for a shipping and receiving clerk job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our scrum master jobs for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV. If you do not have a resume, no worries. Just check out our resume builder. This state of the art tool will help you to create your own resume. Need help with your application? Check out all our job-hunting tips!
