How to hire a dock clerk

How to hire a dock clerk, step by step

Here's a step-by-step dock clerk hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a dock clerk job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new dock clerk
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the dock clerk you need to hire. Certain dock clerk roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect dock clerk also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list presents dock clerk salaries for various positions.

   Type of Dock Clerk	Description	Hourly rate
   Dock Clerk	Material recording clerks track product information in order to keep businesses and supply chains on schedule. They ensure proper scheduling, recordkeeping, and inventory control.	$12-17
   Shipper Receiver	A shipper receiver is responsible for processing and packaging items for shipment and receiving incoming merchandise for warehouse storage. Shipper receivers assist in loading and unloading items from the distribution trucks, checking inventory receipts, inspecting the quality and quantity of the items, preparing shipping documents, and ensuring the cleanliness and orderliness of storage areas... Show more	$12-19
   Shipping And Receiving Coordinator	A Shipping and Receiving Coordinator oversees the shipment and deliveries of products in a warehouse or organization. One must have an efficient organization, and communication skills as most of the duties include shipping and receiving merchandise and maintain accurate and proactive control of inventory... Show more	$12-18

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • RF
   • Security Procedures
   • WMS
   • Shipping Receiving
   • Inbound Freight
   • Pallet Jack
   • Outbound Trailers
   • Safety Procedures
   • Outbound Freight
   • LTL
   • Computer System
   • Steady Flow
   • AS400
   • BOL

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage paperwork for international sales, such as international invoice, shipper letters, and packing list.
   • Build order using the AS400.
   • Invoice sorter; organize and sort invoices.
   • Assist loaders and drivers with LTL and truck loads
   • Receive LTL and full truckload shipments from various carriers.
   • Process and file all international high value packages using AES filing.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your dock clerk job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A dock clerk can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, dock clerks' average salary in south dakota is 33% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level dock clerks 30% less than senior-level dock clerks.
   • Certifications. A dock clerk with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a dock clerk's salary.

   Average dock clerk salary

   $15.11hourly

   $31,436 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level dock clerk salary

   $26,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

4. Writing a dock clerk job description

   A good dock clerk job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a dock clerk job description:

   Dock clerk job description example

   Americold provides temperature-controlled warehousing and transportation to food producers, restaurants, schools and retail outlets such as grocery stores. We're proud to provide an essential link in the food industry supply chain and to help put food on tables around the world.
   
   Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Americold owns and operates temperature-controlled warehouses around the world. We have over 16,000 associates and offer a wide variety of career opportunities - from warehouse forklift operators and supervisors to accounting, administration, business development, customer support, engineering, transportation, and technology solutions positions.
   Responsibilities Primary Responsibility:
   
   Ensure that all shipping and receiving documents and functions are completed accurately and on time. Communicates with customers, warehouse, and supervisors to coordinate outbound and inbound freight schedules.
   
   Essential Functions:
   
   • Work with Manager to set daily operations standards for the Dock Office.
   • Lead dock team in training and maintaining office procedures.
   • Ensure essential personnel coverage maintained at all times.
   • Review orders and records to ensure accuracy and account for all loads.
   • Assist in tracking any missing or delayed shipments.
   • Authorize product for shipment and receipt.
   • Inform supervisor of any issues with drivers or loads and assist in resolution of any issues.
   • Work with Customer Service Reps to ensure customer requirements are met.
   • Keep computer records accurate and up to date. Run daily inventory reports.
   • Maintain security procedures at dock.
   • Promote a safe and positive work environment through personal actions.
   • Identify any safety concerns, as well as cost saving opportunities.
   • Other duties as requested.
   
   Qualifications Qualifications & Experience:
   
   • High school diploma or general education degree (GED) plus three years' office experience or equivalent training and experience.
   • Warehouse or transportation experience a plus.
   
   Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
   
   • Ability to work in detail driven, high paced, deadline-oriented environment.
   • Maintain a flexible work schedule a must.
   • Experience with AS/400 and Microsoft Office, including Word and Excel.
   • Familiar with Warehouse Management System (WMS) and Radio Frequency (RF).
   • Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide.
   
   Physical Requirements:
   
   While performing the essential functions of this job, the associate is frequently required to sit; hear or talk: use close vision; use hands to grasp, handle or feel objects; and type and manipulate controls. Associate is occasionally required to use distance vision, stand, kneel or crouch and lift up to 25 lbs. and work in sub-freezing temperatures.
   
   Americold is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
   EOE/AA M/F/D/V DFW.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right dock clerk for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your dock clerk job on Zippia to find and recruit dock clerk candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with dock clerk candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new dock clerk

   Once you've selected the best dock clerk candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new dock clerk first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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