At a warehouse, distribution center, or large retail store, a receiving clerk inspects and unloads incoming shipments. He or she double-checks that the correct items and quantities were shipped, as well as inspecting the goods for quality. Following an inspection of the order, the receiving clerk stocks or stores the items in their proper locations. Many receiving clerks are in charge of keeping meticulous records and directly contacting shippers if a problem or discrepancy is discovered.
Receiving clerks are primarily responsible for manual labor duties in large, busy facilities. They unload trucks, operate forklifts and hand trucks, remove and dispose of packaging materials, and stock items. A receiving clerk should be in good physical condition and have excellent vision in general. To ensure that receiving tasks run smoothly and that items can be found quickly when needed, organizational skills are required.
Clerks in smaller facilities typically have a broader range of responsibilities, such as thoroughly inspecting shipments against original order forms to ensure order accuracy. In order to ensure that all items are present and undamaged, a clerk frequently opens boxes in the presence of delivery personnel. He or she is frequently the one who signs for shipments and makes payment arrangements.
Receiving clerks, particularly those who work in smaller warehouses, may also be responsible for shipping. They usually go over purchase orders, gather and package the appropriate quantities of goods, and load them onto trucks that are leaving. A shipping clerk often fills out a standard form after loading a truck and notes any missing items from the original order. The form is sent with the shipment and will be followed by the receiving clerks at the destination.
Employers and job settings have different education and training requirements for receiving clerks. Most employers demand that applicants have a high school diploma or the equivalent, as well as basic math and organizational skills. Some employers prefer to hire clerks with previous customer service or inventory management experience. Before starting work, a potential employee may need to pass training courses to earn a forklift operator certification. In order to learn about specific techniques, company policies, and procedures, new receiving clerks typically receive extensive on-the-job training from experienced workers for several days or weeks.
With enough time and experience on the job, a successful receiving clerk may be able to advance to a supervisory position. A supervisor supervises the receiving department’s daily operations and develops new policies to improve efficiency. To improve their credentials and qualify for administrative positions, some workers pursue associate’s or bachelor’s degrees in business, inventory management, or accounting.