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What is a receiving associate and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
5 min read
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A receiving associate is an individual who works in the retail industry and is responsible for processing incoming shipments of goods. They receive, document, and organize merchandise, ensuring that it is properly labeled and stored in the appropriate location. Their duties include unloading delivery trucks, verifying orders, inspecting products for damage or defects, and updating inventory records. A receiving associate must have excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

ScoreReceiving AssociateUS Average
Salary
2.5

Avg. Salary $31,642

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
6.3

Growth rate -3%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
10.0
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.74%

Asian 7.37%

Black or African American 11.51%

Hispanic or Latino 20.17%

Unknown 4.20%

White 56.00%

Gender

female 27.07%

male 72.93%

Age - 43
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43
Stress level
6.3

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
7.3

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
6.0

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a receiving associate?

Pros

  • Opportunity to work with a variety of products

  • Room for growth and advancement in the company

  • Physical activity and movement throughout the day

  • Potential for overtime and bonuses

  • Option for flexible scheduling

Cons

  • Strenuous physical labor and heavy lifting required

  • Long hours, including early morning shifts or late nights

  • High stress levels during peak seasons or holidays

  • Strict productivity quotas and timelines

  • Repetitive tasks can become tedious or boring

Receiving associate career paths

Key steps to become a receiving associate

  1. Explore receiving associate education requirements

    Most common receiving associate degrees

    High School Diploma

    43.8 %

    Bachelor's

    21.2 %

    Associate

    19.2 %
  2. Start to develop specific receiving associate skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Shipping Receiving34.66%
    Sales Floor31.30%
    Unload Trucks17.97%
    Customer Service3.63%
    Pallets1.51%
  3. Complete relevant receiving associate training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New receiving associates learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a receiving associate based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real receiving associate resumes.
  4. Research receiving associate duties and responsibilities

    • Assist in the daily managing of fresh product using the FIFO accounting principal.
    • Receive customer shipments and enter them into AS400 freight tracking system, verifying accuracy of BoL and customer orders.
    • Train and certify per OSHA standards on various motorize warehouse equipment.
    • Prepare outbound shipments and make necessary logistics arrangements.
  5. Prepare your receiving associate resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your receiving associate resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a receiving associate resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable receiving associate resume templates

    Build a professional receiving associate resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your receiving associate resume.
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  6. Apply for receiving associate jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a receiving associate job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first receiving associate job

Zippi

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Average receiving associate salary

The average receiving associate salary in the United States is $31,642 per year or $15 per hour. Receiving associate salaries range between $25,000 and $39,000 per year.

Average receiving associate salary
$31,642 Yearly
$15.21 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do receiving associates rate their job?

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Receiving associate reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2019
Pros

Fast pace, dealing with customer service, work is always changing

Cons

Management stuck in the same position no room for growth


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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.

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