Post job

What does a receiver do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
What does a receiver do

A receiver is responsible for confirming receipt of items delivered from distribution centers to the warehouse. Receivers carefully evaluate order invoices, ensuring the correct quantity of the items, and inspect the merchandise for any possible mislabeling and defects. They also coordinate with the distributors for replacement and verifications concerning the delivery. A receiver must have excellent organizational and analytical skills, especially on billing discrepancies by utilizing specific shipping software to monitor the delivery activities.

On this page

Receiver responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real receiver resumes:

  • Package small some times fragile items to be ship out via fed-ex, ups, and other distributors.
  • Pack, tape and ship boxes w/UPS, FX or DHL.
  • Process all invoices through the IRMA system.
  • Stamp, stencils, or glues identifying information and shipping instructions onto crates or containers.
  • Pack and crate major components for shipments; schedule all LTL domestic and overseas shipments.
  • Refuse any product that are not on purchase order and deduct the charge off the invoice.
  • Code all invoices with store accounting stickers and keep company sensitive invoice files and records secure.
  • Receive and process all incoming shipments including fine jewelry, merchandise, store supplies, visual properties, etc.
  • Start as shipper/receiver using forklift truck to unload LTL trucks load with industrial compressors and parts need to replenish inventory.
  • Operate powered order pickers, forklifts, turret trucks, electric/manual pallet jacks, stretch wrapping machines, and RF equipment.
  • Maintain backroom cleanliness and organization.
  • Provide consultative sales utilizing an extensive knowledge of RF, industrial electronics, amateur radio, computer equipment and peripherals.
  • Pack materials as well as created international documents for DHL shipments
  • Receive and enter into system all incoming RMA items, and determine appropriate department and rout accordingly.
  • Assist in the returns process as well as creating RMA to vendors or transfer to return center in California.

Receiver skills and personality traits

We calculated that 19% of Receivers are proficient in Customer Service, Math, and Basic Math. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Math skills, and Customer-service skills.

We break down the percentage of Receivers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Customer Service, 19%

    Perform superior customer service and help all associates in warehouse finding merchandise and inventory discrepancies.

  • Math, 10%

    Utilized RF equipment as well as good math skills to make sure correct quantity.

  • Basic Math, 10%

    Applied basic mathematical concepts such as adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing and knowledge of weights and measures.

  • PET, 7%

    Received shipments, and stocked shelves at large pet supply retailer.

  • Cleanliness, 7%

    Maintained backroom cleanliness and organization.

  • Pallets, 6%

    Process received products individually or by pallet by scanning into the system accurately and efficiently.

Common skills that a receiver uses to do their job include "customer service," "math," and "basic math." You can find details on the most important receiver responsibilities below.

Detail oriented. One of the key soft skills for a receiver to have is detail oriented. You can see how this relates to what receivers do because "material and product inspecting clerks must pay attention to detail when checking items for defects, some of which are small and difficult to spot." Additionally, a receiver resume shows how receivers use detail oriented: "imaged cars detailed cars for resale data entry material handling skills used shipping and receiving scanning detailing"

Math skills. Many receiver duties rely on math skills. "material recording clerks may need to calculate shipping costs or take measurements.," so a receiver will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways receiver responsibilities rely on math skills: "utilized rf equipment as well as good math skills to make sure correct quantity. "

Customer-service skills. receivers are also known for customer-service skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to receiver responsibilities, because "material recording clerks may interact with customers in order to respond to problems or complaints." A receiver resume example shows how customer-service skills is used in the workplace: "maintained detailed data entry of all incoming products for customers returning products for credit. "

Communication skills. A big part of what receivers do relies on "communication skills." You can see how essential it is to receiver responsibilities because "material recording clerks are frequently in contact with suppliers, vendors, or managers and need to convey their company’s needs effectively." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical receiver tasks: "used forklift, pallet jack, flat carts, hand held scanner/printer, and two-way communication device. "

Most common receiver skills

The three companies that hire the most receivers are:

Choose from 10+ customizable receiver resume templates

Build a professional receiver resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your receiver resume.
Receiver Resume
Receiver Resume
Receiver Resume
Receiver Resume
Receiver Resume
Receiver Resume
Receiver Resume
Receiver Resume
Receiver Resume
Receiver Resume
Receiver Resume
Receiver Resume
Receiver Resume
Receiver Resume
Receiver Resume
Receiver Resume

Compare different receivers

Receiver vs. Shipping associate

Shipping associates prepare, package, and ship items ordered through digital channels. They must ensure goods are packaged to minimize risk of damages. They maintain ingoing and outgoing shipments and prepare shipping labels.

We looked at the average receiver salary and compared it with the wages of a shipping associate. Generally speaking, shipping associates are paid $736 higher than receivers per year.Even though receivers and shipping associates are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require customer service, math, and basic math in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, receiver responsibilities require skills like "ladders," "pet," "cleanliness," and "excellent interpersonal." Meanwhile a typical shipping associate has skills in areas such as "phone calls," "safety procedures," "pallet movers," and "safety rules." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Shipping associates tend to make the most money working in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $35,522. In contrast, receivers make the biggest average salary, $33,859, in the manufacturing industry.shipping associates tend to reach similar levels of education than receivers. In fact, shipping associates are 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Receiver vs. Shipping

When it comes to shipping, a worker is primarily in charge of processing deliveries while ensuring accuracy and timeliness. One of their responsibilities revolves around processing information, maintaining an accurate record of all transactions, inspecting goods, and organizing an efficient transport of goods. There are also instances when they must handle issues and inquiries, track orders, reach out to clients, and coordinate with other logistics personnel. Furthermore, it is essential to adhere to all the policies and standards of the company.

Shipping positions earn lower pay than receiver roles. They earn a $1,209 lower salary than receivers per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both receivers and shippings have skills such as "customer service," "pallets," and "shipping receiving. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that receiver responsibilities requires skills like "math," "basic math," "ladders," and "pet." But a shipping might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "forklifts," "ups," "logistics," and "assembly line."

Shippings may earn a lower salary than receivers, but shippings earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $35,592. On the other hand, receivers receive higher pay in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $33,859.In general, shippings achieve similar levels of education than receivers. They're 0.4% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Receiver vs. General warehouse associate

A General Warehouse Associate performs a variety of tasks at warehouses on a day-to-day basis. They typically receive and process shipments, organize stocks, inspect packages to ensure quantity and quality, maintain inventory and other records, operate tools and equipment such as forklifts and scanners, utilize warehouse spaces, and prepare products subjected for deliveries. Moreover, a General Warehouse Associate must maintain an active communication line with staff for a smooth and efficient workflow.

On average scale, general warehouse associates bring in lower salaries than receivers. In fact, they earn a $62 lower salary per year.By looking over several receivers and general warehouse associates resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "pallets," "safety regulations," and "inventory control." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a receiver is likely to be skilled in "customer service," "math," "basic math," and "ladders," while a typical general warehouse associate is skilled in "manual pallet jack," "osha," "forklift equipment," and "safety standards."

General warehouse associates earn the highest salary when working in the technology industry, where they receive an average salary of $33,144. Comparatively, receivers have the highest earning potential in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $33,859.Most general warehouse associates achieve a similar degree level compared to receivers. For example, they're 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Receiver vs. Warehouse specialist

A warehouse specialist is someone who manages the daily procedures and functions of the warehouse efficiently and effectively. Their services are often needed in shipping docks, airports, and other industry warehouses. The specialist's primary responsibilities include supervising the shipping and receiving of materials and products, organizing the storage area, and monitoring the inventory. Candidates for the job must have strong knowledge in inventory control systems, able to multi-task, be physically fit, and able to safely operate warehouse machinery.

Warehouse specialists average a higher salary than the annual salary of receivers. The difference is about $2,614 per year.According to resumes from receivers and warehouse specialists, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "customer service," "math," and "basic math. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between receivers and warehouse specialists, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a receiver might have more use for skills like "ladders," "pet," "cleanliness," and "excellent interpersonal." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of warehouse specialists require skills like "logistics," "storage locations," "safety rules," and "osha. "

The transportation industry tends to pay the highest salaries for warehouse specialists, with average annual pay of $36,575. Comparatively, the highest receiver annual salary comes from the manufacturing industry.The average resume of warehouse specialists showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to receivers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 0.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.1%.

Types of receiver

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse office and administrative jobs