Shipping and Receiving Clerk job description.
A shipping and receiving clerk manages the flow of goods into and out of a warehouse or facility. They verify incoming shipments against purchase orders, prepare outgoing orders for delivery, and maintain accurate inventory records, ensuring materials move efficiently and discrepancies are caught early.
The Shipping and Receiving Clerk job description · $29
The full editable .docx — role summary, 8 worked responsibilities, qualifications, and skills, formatted for your letterhead. Delivered to your inbox within 24 hours — usually instantly.
Role: Shipping and Receiving Clerk Reports to: Warehouse Supervisor or Logistics Manager
A shipping and receiving clerk manages the flow of goods into and out of a warehouse or facility. They verify incoming shipments against purchase orders, prepare outgoing orders for delivery, and maintain accurate inventory records, ensuring materials move efficiently and discrepancies are caught early.
- Receive and inspect incoming shipments against purchase orders
- Verify quantities, condition, and accuracy of delivered goods
- Prepare, package, and label outgoing shipments
What's inside the document.
One-paragraph plain-English explanation of the role's outcome and scope.
8 responsibilities phrased the way the work is actually done.
4 qualifications a candidate must have to perform on day 30.
3 qualifications that would make a candidate excellent in year two.
5 skill chips you can copy directly into your ATS.
Warehouse Supervisor or Logistics Manager
A complete document set.
- Word document (.docx) — fully editable
- PDF — signature-ready
- Google Docs — one-click copy to your Drive
- 12 months of updates to this document
- Commercial-use licence for internal and client work
The work, not the title.
- Receive and inspect incoming shipments against purchase orders
- Verify quantities, condition, and accuracy of delivered goods
- Prepare, package, and label outgoing shipments
- Update inventory records and warehouse management systems
- Coordinate with carriers to schedule pickups and deliveries
- Report damaged, missing, or incorrect items to supervisors
- Operate forklifts or pallet jacks to move materials safely
- Maintain a clean and organized shipping and receiving area
Required — and what would make a candidate excellent.
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Ability to lift up to 50 lb regularly
- Basic computer skills for inventory tracking
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy
- Forklift certification
- Experience with warehouse management systems
- Prior logistics or warehouse experience
Eight steps from download to publish.
- 01Open the Shipping and Receiving Clerk job description in Word or your one-click Google Docs copy.
- 02Replace placeholders for company name, reporting line, and location with your specifics.
- 03Tighten the summary to one paragraph that names the team's outcome, not just the role.
- 04Edit the responsibilities to match the actual scope of the seat — aim for 6 to 8 items, not 12.
- 05Separate required qualifications from preferred. Required is what a candidate must have to do the work on day 30; preferred is what would make them excellent in year two.
- 06Add salary range guidance using BLS, Payscale, or your own band data — do not copy generic figures.
- 07Have the hiring manager and one peer read it. Cut anything that wouldn't survive a candidate question.
- 08Publish to your ATS, intranet, and external careers page.
The right document at the right moment.
Use this Shipping and Receiving Clerk job description any time you are opening or reopening a seat at this level. The entry band sets the calibration — copy the document, tighten it to your specific scope, and circulate to the hiring panel before the first interview.
The reporting line (Warehouse Supervisor or Logistics Manager) and skills list are starting points. Override either if your org structure or stack differs from the norm — the template is a draft, not a contract.
Honest answers before you download.
- Is forklift certification required for this role?
- Not always required upfront, but many employers provide forklift certification training since the role often involves moving palletized goods.
- What systems experience is helpful?
- Familiarity with warehouse management or inventory software helps new hires ramp up faster, though many employers train on their specific system.
Other documents in this neighbourhood.
Warehouse Associate
A Warehouse Associate performs the daily physical tasks that keep a distribution or storage facility running, including receiving, picking, packing, and shipping inventory.
Forklift Operator
A Forklift Operator moves, loads, and stacks materials using a forklift in a warehouse, distribution center, or manufacturing facility.
Logistics Coordinator
A logistics coordinator manages the movement of goods across the supply chain, coordinating shipments, tracking inventory, and liaising with carriers, vendors, and warehouse staff.
This Shipping and Receiving Clerk job description is a professionally drafted starting point for your hiring process and is not legal advice. Hiring practice varies by jurisdiction (e.g. pay-transparency laws differ across US states and AU jurisdictions). Adapt this document for your specific location and have employment counsel review any clauses you add before publishing. Salary varies by region, employer type, and experience. Reference BLS or current industry surveys for ranges. Full disclaimer.