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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Warehouse Receiving Clerk

💰 $ - $

WarehouseLogisticsReceiving

🎯 Role Definition

The Warehouse Receiving Clerk is responsible for the accurate, safe, and efficient intake of incoming goods into a distribution or manufacturing warehouse. This role focuses on verifying shipments against purchase orders and bills of lading, performing quality and quantity inspections, entering receipts into the warehouse management system (WMS/ERP), staging and labeling products, and coordinating with procurement, quality assurance, and inventory control to maintain stock accuracy and support on-time replenishment. Ideal candidates combine strong attention to detail, physical stamina, and experience with RF scanners/WMS and basic forklift operation.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Material Handler / Warehouse Associate
  • Retail Stock Associate / Stockroom Clerk
  • Receiving Assistant / Shipping & Receiving Aide

Advancement To:

  • Receiving Supervisor / Lead
  • Inventory Control Specialist
  • Warehouse Supervisor / Operations Lead
  • Logistics Coordinator or Supply Chain Analyst
  • Distribution Center Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Shipping Clerk
  • Cycle Count / Inventory Auditor
  • Quality Control Inspector

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Receive and process incoming shipments by verifying purchase orders, packing slips, bills of lading (BOL) and advanced shipment notices (ASN); document and report any discrepancies, shortages, or overages to Procurement and Inventory Control.
  • Unload trucks safely and efficiently using forklifts, pallet jacks, hand trucks and other material handling equipment; adhere to OSHA and site safety protocols during all unloading and staging activities.
  • Inspect incoming product for visible damage, contamination, or nonconformance; quarantine suspect material, complete damage reports, and initiate return/claim procedures with vendors and carriers.
  • Accurately count received items and record quantities into the Warehouse Management System (WMS) or ERP (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Manhattan); reconcile paper documentation with electronic receipts.
  • Label, re-label and affix barcode or RFID tags as required; ensure SKU, lot number, expiration date, and other traceability data are correctly captured in the system.
  • Stage and move received goods to designated storage locations or staging areas for putaway and cross-dock operations according to putaway directives and slotting guidelines.
  • Conduct cycle counts and assists with regular physical inventory audits; investigate and resolve inventory variances by tracing transactions, correcting counts, and reporting root cause.
  • Process vendor returns, short shipments and claims; prepare return authorizations, pack return shipments, and coordinate carrier pickups and documentation.
  • Follow standard receiving procedures for temperature-sensitive, hazardous, or regulated products (including perishable, controlled, or HAZMAT) and ensure proper storage and documentation.
  • Execute cross-dock and immediate ship-through receiving activities, prioritizing shipments that bypass long-term storage to support expedited customer orders.
  • Validate and process incoming documentation such as certificates of analysis (COA), customs paperwork, and inspection certificates when required for compliance and quality assurance.
  • Maintain accurate records of lot numbers, serial numbers, expiration dates and other traceability elements for product recall readiness and audit support.
  • Communicate proactively with Procurement, Quality, Production and Shipping teams to address late, incomplete, or damaged shipments and to support timely order fulfillment.
  • Use RF scanners, handheld devices and barcode readers to capture receipts and putaway transactions in real time; troubleshoot device and connectivity issues and escalate to IT when necessary.
  • Prepare and stage incoming product for kitting, repack, or putaway tasks; perform light assembly, labeling and rework to meet packaging or outward shipping requirements.
  • Monitor inbound shipment schedules, coordinate dock appointments and manage receiving dock flow to minimize bottlenecks and improve throughput.
  • Maintain cleanliness, order and safe conditions in the receiving area; ensure aisles, docks and staging areas comply with 5S and safety standards.
  • Participate in root-cause analysis for recurring receiving issues and lead continuous improvement initiatives to reduce receiving errors and cycle time.
  • Accurately handle and process Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) receipts and ASN acknowledgments where applicable; ensure electronic documents align with physical receipts.
  • Train, mentor and support new receiving staff and temporary associates on receiving procedures, safety protocols and systems usage.
  • Prepare daily receiving reports and KPIs (e.g., receipts processed, discrepancies, dock-to-stock time) and communicate performance metrics to supervisors.
  • Maintain custody and security of high-value or sensitive shipments during receiving; coordinate with security or loss prevention as required.
  • Ensure compliance with company policies, regulatory requirements and customer-specific receiving instructions; support internal and external audits with timely documentation.
  • Assist in seasonal workload planning, temporary labor scheduling and vendor routing adjustments to meet peak receiving demands.

Secondary Functions

  • Support cross-functional projects to improve receiving workflows, warehouse slotting and product flow.
  • Assist with staging and replenishment of pick locations when receiving volumes are low.
  • Help create and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), receiving checklists and training materials.
  • Provide backup support for shipping, packing and order staging during peak periods or staff shortages.
  • Perform basic preventive maintenance checks on forklifts, pallet jacks and dock equipment; report defects to maintenance.
  • Coordinate with carriers on delivery discrepancies, claims filing, and follow-up to resolution.
  • Enter and maintain supplier/packaging spec data in the WMS/ERP for accurate receiving and putaway.
  • Collect and recycle packaging materials, maintain waste reduction and sustainability practices in the receiving area.
  • Participate in safety meetings, training sessions and emergency preparedness drills.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proficient with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and ERP receipt processes — experience with SAP, Oracle WMS, Manhattan, HighJump or similar is highly desirable.
  • Hands-on experience using RF barcode scanners, mobile data terminals and barcode label printers for receiving and putaway transactions.
  • Strong knowledge of shipping/receiving documentation: bills of lading (BOL), packing lists, invoices, ASNs and EDI transactions.
  • Forklift certified and experienced operating sit-down forklifts, powered pallet trucks and hand pallet jacks in a warehouse environment.
  • Skilled in performing cycle counts, physical inventory audits and reconciling inventory discrepancies with root cause analysis.
  • Basic Microsoft Excel skills: VLOOKUP, filtering, pivot tables, and data entry to prepare receiving reports and reconcile inventory.
  • Familiarity with hazardous materials handling, temperature-controlled receiving, or regulated product handling where applicable.
  • Ability to read and interpret SKU numbers, lot codes, expiration dates, and vendor paperwork for accurate traceability.
  • Knowledge of OSHA safety standards, safe material handling practices and proper PPE usage.
  • Proficient in preparing shipping/return documentation, filing claims and coordinating with carriers for pickups and disputes.
  • Basic mechanical aptitude for loading/unloading equipment operation, pallet building and simple packaging/labeling tasks.

Soft Skills

  • High attention to detail and accuracy when counting, inspecting and entering inventory data.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills to coordinate with suppliers, carriers and internal stakeholders.
  • Excellent time management and prioritization skills to process multiple incoming shipments under deadlines.
  • Problem-solving mindset with the ability to investigate discrepancies and propose corrective actions.
  • Team-oriented attitude and willingness to support cross-functional needs during peak periods.
  • Dependable, punctual, and able to work shift schedules that may include early mornings or varied hours.
  • Physical stamina and ability to lift, carry and maneuver up to warehouse-required weight limits safely.
  • Adaptability to changing priorities in a fast-paced distribution environment.
  • Customer-service focus — internal and external — when resolving receiving issues that impact fulfillment.
  • Initiative to identify process improvements and contribute to operational efficiency gains.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate degree or coursework in logistics, supply chain, business administration or related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Supply Chain Management / Logistics
  • Business Administration
  • Industrial Technology
  • Operations Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 1–4 years of warehouse receiving or shipping & receiving experience.

Preferred:

  • 2+ years of direct receiving experience in a distribution center or manufacturing environment.
  • Forklift certification and experience operating warehouse equipment.
  • Experience with enterprise WMS/ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, Manhattan, HighJump, etc.), RF scanning and EDI/ASN processes.
  • Experience processing returns/claims, handling temperature-controlled or regulated goods, or working in high-volume dock operations.
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