Receiving clerks oversee incoming shipments, check invoices, coordinate distribution, and ensure legal shipping requirements are met. They may use manual or automated methods and can advance to supervisory positions. Experience is not always required, and training is usually on-the-job.
Receiving clerk jobs is usually not complicated, but they provide an essential function for certain businesses. Receiving employees oversee incoming shipments so businesses have what they need to operate. Job-specific tasks can vary depending on the size and scope of the business, how the position is defined, and how much automation is used. Receiving clerk jobs at smaller companies tends to involve more diverse tasks because they don’t have as many employees as larger companies. The different jobs that a receptionist performs can include checking shipments as they arrive, checking invoices for those shipments, and coordinating the distribution of incoming items.
One job that a receiving employee performs is documenting information about a shipment when it arrives. This includes ensuring the shipment is correct and undamaged. In smaller companies, receiving employees can manually enter product information into a computer. Larger companies can use scanning devices or radio frequency identification (RFID) chips to receive and track shipments.
Receptionist jobs often involve checking invoices to ensure the number of items received and their prices are correct. A receiving employee can also verify that any applicable credits or discounts have been applied to the order. If an order is incorrect or damaged, the receiving employee can work with shippers to make adjustments if items are lost or damaged in transit.
Some receiving employees must coordinate or forward shipments to their final destination within a company. For example, shipments can be delivered to a warehouse and then moved to a certain department. In smaller companies, receiving employees are expected to deliver shipments to the appropriate location. Forklift trucks or conveyor belts can be used to process large shipments.
Receiving clerk jobs can also require tasks often associated with transit clerk jobs. These duties pertain to checking the weight and charges related to all incoming and outgoing shipments. Any legal shipping requirements for certain products or materials must also be followed.
People who excel at receiving clerk jobs often enjoy physical labor and doing repetitive tasks. In some cases, advancement to supervisor or manager positions is available. Entry-level positions usually only require a high school education, and supervisory positions may require a two- or four-year college degree.
Experience is generally not required and most training takes place on the job. Training can include learning to count inventory, take inventory, and create records. Some familiarity with electronic inventory equipment and computers may be beneficial or necessary. Receptionist jobs are often found in factories, stores, and educational settings.
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