Occupation

Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks

Human Advantage 64%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Moderate Risk
3.4 / 10

Some tasks in this role may be augmented by AI, but human oversight and interpersonal skills remain important.

Verify and maintain records on incoming and outgoing shipments involving inventory. Duties include verifying and recording incoming merchandise or material and arranging for the transportation of products. May prepare items for shipment.

Also Known As: Backroom Associate, Booking Clerk, Break Out Man, Break Out Worker, Car Checker, Cloth Booker, Container Coordinator, Disposition Clerk +71 more

Video

Core Tasks

  1. Examine shipment contents and compare with records, such as manifests, invoices, or orders, to verify accuracy.
  2. Requisition and store shipping materials and supplies to maintain inventory of stock.
  3. Prepare documents, such as work orders, bills of lading, or shipping orders, to route materials.
  4. Pack, seal, label, or affix postage to prepare materials for shipping, using hand tools, power tools, or postage meter.
  5. Record shipment data, such as weight, charges, space availability, damages, or discrepancies, for reporting, accounting, or recordkeeping purposes.
  6. Confer or correspond with establishment representatives to rectify problems, such as damages, shortages, or nonconformance to specifications.
  7. Deliver or route materials to departments using handtruck, conveyor, or sorting bins.
  8. Contact carrier representatives to make arrangements or to issue instructions for shipping and delivery of materials.
  9. Determine shipping methods, routes, or rates for materials to be shipped.
  10. Compute amounts, such as space available, shipping, storage, or demurrage charges, using computer or price list.

Supplemental Tasks (1)

  1. Compare shipping routes or methods to determine which have the least environmental impact.

Education & Training

Job Zone 2 Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Education: These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Experience: Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
75%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
12%
Bachelor's Degree
11%
Some College Courses
2%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
1%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Word
  • SAP software

Software (49)

  • ADi SmartBOL
  • AES MailSTAR
  • Accuship Star System
  • Aestiva Purchase Order
  • Barcode labeling software
  • Bill of lading software
  • CMS Consultants WorldLink
  • Citrix cloud computing software
  • DM2 Bills of Lading
  • Dydacomp Mail Order Manager
  • Electronic Data Interchange EDI systems
  • Endicia Internet Postage
  • Enterprise Systems RFID Data Management
  • Exact MAX
  • FedEx Ship Manager
  • FileMaker Pro
  • Freight+
  • Harvey Software CPS
  • IBM Notes
  • Infor ERP Visual
  • Inventory management systems
  • Inventory tracking software
  • Kewill Clippership
  • Kewill Compliance Partner
  • Kewill Javelin Distribution Ship
  • Laser Substrates PostalXport
  • MSR Visual Exporter
  • MSR Visual Exporter Document Library
  • MSR Visual Exporter Enterprise Integrator
  • Microsoft Dynamics GP
  • Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne
  • Pitney Bowes ShipStream Manager
  • Precision TRA/X
  • Sage 50 Accounting
  • ShipWorks
  • Shipping and freight management software
  • UPS Intelliverse
  • UPS WorldShip
  • Universal parcel shipping software
  • Varsity ShipSoft Supply Chain Execution Suite
  • Warehouse management system WMS
  • Web browser software
  • WindowBook Postal Package Partner

Tools & Equipment (18)

  • Barcode printers
  • Box cutters
  • Desktop computers
  • Fixed radio frequency identification device RFID readers
  • Forklifts
  • Hand trucks
  • Handheld bar code scanners
  • Handheld scanners
  • High-speed/moving object scanning devices
  • Notebook computers
  • Package scales
  • Pillow packing machines
  • Pneumatic box staplers
  • Postage meters
  • Radio frequency identification RFID devices
  • Reinforced tape dispensers
  • Shrink wrap packaging vacuums
  • Taping machines

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Purchasing & Warehousing Supply Chain & Transportation

Zone 2
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