What does a receiving manager do?

A receiving manager is an individual who works in a warehouse and manages incoming shipments that arrived in the facility. Receiving managers must review purchase orders to match with the items that were ordered so that they can take note of any discrepancies as well as update their inventory database. Once shipments arrive, they will assist a team of receiving staff to tag the items and store them safely in the warehouse. Receiving managers must also implement safety practices and processes within the warehouse.
Receiving manager responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real receiving manager resumes:
- Manage receiving and inventory of all incoming materials physically in warehouse and in an ERP system.
- Manage efficient receipt of all import containers and LTL deliveries per shift as well as small parcel.
- Receive new freight, tag merchandise, stock sales floor, & enter all new UPC's into system.
- Loaded/Unload trucks utilizing RF scanners and computers to track, locate inventory, pull customer orders of various weights and sizes.
- Train and mentore receiving associates on proper policies, procedures and logistics relate to shipment receiving and inventory management.
- Receive ups, fed ex, flat beds with pipe, freight trucks.
- Develop and train operators in FIFO process.
- Receive product from vendors, ups, and fed ex.
- Handle all incoming and outgoing mail via USPS using automate mailing machines.
- Reconcile and receive all invoices for both grocery store locations daily into the POS database.
- Coordinate and schedule all incoming deliveries with dozens of LTL carriers to ensure maximum efficiency.
- Oversee materials management including but not limit to placement, FIFO, and allergen separation.
- Enforce and ensures that GMP's and all company policies and regulations are being perform.
- Complete all grocery orders, pick list, and ensure back stock is ran weekly.
- Prepare all paperwork for shipments, BOL's, shipping manifests, shipping permits, etc.
Receiving manager skills and personality traits
We calculated that 27% of Receiving Managers are proficient in Customer Service, Purchase Orders, and UPC. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Customer-service skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Receiving Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 27%
Honed up effective organizational and interpersonal skills essential to communicate and function within a group setting resulting in enhanced customer service.
- Purchase Orders, 16%
Perform receiving/shipping/returns and warehouse functions in support of the administrative accounting office to accurate purchase orders against packing slips to invoices.
- UPC, 11%
Performed daily store-opening operations, including disarming security system, activating UPC scanning system, and rebooting cash registers.
- Sales Floor, 5%
Maintained store sales floor, in-store warehouse/inventory.
- Safety Standards, 4%
Worked closely with other department managers to maintain presentation and safety standards.
- POS, 3%
Replaced 360 POS terminals in 80 locations in the state of Washington and Idaho before purposed completion date.
Common skills that a receiving manager uses to do their job include "customer service," "purchase orders," and "upc." You can find details on the most important receiving manager responsibilities below.
Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a receiving manager to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "material recording clerks are frequently in contact with suppliers, vendors, or managers and need to convey their company’s needs effectively." Receiving managers often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "maintained superb store inventory accuracy through constant communication and education of all staff members on matters of loss prevention and operational shrink"
Customer-service skills. Another essential skill to perform receiving manager duties is customer-service skills. Receiving managers responsibilities require that "material recording clerks may interact with customers in order to respond to problems or complaints." Receiving managers also use customer-service skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "participate in loss prevention surveillance and double check all customer receipts for access prior to leaving the yard"
Detail oriented. receiving managers are also known for detail oriented, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to receiving manager responsibilities, 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." A receiving manager resume example shows how detail oriented is used in the workplace: "schedule trucks, unload, receive and detail trucks, hazmat, rtv, district trainer for all new receiving managers. "
Math skills. A big part of what receiving managers do relies on "math skills." You can see how essential it is to receiving manager responsibilities because "material recording clerks may need to calculate shipping costs or take measurements." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical receiving manager tasks: "maintained qualitative and quantitative goals for product distribution, including weights and photos on all international shipments to ensure quality controls. "
The three companies that hire the most receiving managers are:
- Jetro Cash & Carry Enterprises Inc.337 receiving managers jobs
- Natural Grocers18 receiving managers jobs
- Sportsman's Warehouse10 receiving managers jobs
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Receiving manager vs. Distribution supervisor
A distribution supervisor is in charge of overseeing all distribution processes in a warehouse or similar setting, ensuring accuracy and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities typically revolve around coordinating deliveries and shipment, managing schedules, delegating tasks, assessing the performance of the workforce, and maintaining records of all transactions. Should there be any issues or concerns, it is essential to resolve them promptly and efficiently. Furthermore, as a supervisor, it is vital to lead and encourage the employees to reach goals and deadlines, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, receiving manager responsibilities require skills like "purchase orders," "upc," "sales floor," and "pos." Meanwhile a typical distribution supervisor has skills in areas such as "logistics," "continuous improvement," "osha," and "shipping receiving." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Distribution supervisors earn the highest salaries when working in the manufacturing industry, with an average yearly salary of $68,278. On the other hand, receiving managers are paid more in the retail industry with an average salary of $35,380.On average, distribution supervisors reach similar levels of education than receiving managers. Distribution supervisors are 2.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Receiving manager vs. Stock supervisor
A stock supervisor maintains supplies in warehouses, manufacturing units, and other storehouses. They give training to staff and update incoming and outgoing accessories records. They must be highly detail oriented. They also supervise all shipments received.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real receiving manager resumes. While receiving manager responsibilities can utilize skills like "purchase orders," "upc," "safety standards," and "depot," stock supervisors use skills like "store management," "shipping receiving," "sales associates," and "merchandise flow."
In general, stock supervisors achieve similar levels of education than receiving managers. They're 0.7% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Receiving manager vs. Director of distribution
A distribution director spearheads and oversees an organization's distribution procedures, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. It is their duty to coordinate with different departments to identify and understand the distribution needs, set goals and guidelines, manage budgets and schedules, delegate tasks among managers, develop strategies to optimize operations, and present reports to the executives and shareholders. They must also liaise with externals parties, building positive relationships with them. Moreover, a distribution director must lead and encourage the workforce to reach goals while monitoring the progress of operations.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a receiving manager is likely to be skilled in "purchase orders," "upc," "sales floor," and "safety standards," while a typical director of distribution is skilled in "continuous improvement," "project management," "distribution operations," and "distribution centers."
Directors of distribution make a very good living in the manufacturing industry with an average annual salary of $119,935. On the other hand, receiving managers are paid the highest salary in the retail industry, with average annual pay of $35,380.Most directors of distribution achieve a higher degree level compared to receiving managers. For example, they're 9.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Receiving manager vs. Distribution warehouse manager
A distribution warehouse manager pursues performance improvement and makes informed decisions to maintain smooth operations. Besides supervising inventory security, distribution warehouse managers also support purchasing managers to attain maximum re-ordering systems. They put into practice a just-in-time type of inventory system by working hand-in-hand with suppliers to coordinate computer systems. Moreover, distribution warehouse managers ensure safe product transport and partner with suppliers to enhance optimal product packing, stocking, and labeling.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between receiving managers and distribution warehouse managers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a receiving manager might have more use for skills like "purchase orders," "upc," "sales floor," and "safety standards." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of distribution warehouse managers require skills like "logistics," "operational procedures," "shipping receiving," and "warehouse associates. "
The manufacturing industry tends to pay the highest salaries for distribution warehouse managers, with average annual pay of $31,834. Comparatively, the highest receiving manager annual salary comes from the retail industry.In general, distribution warehouse managers hold similar degree levels compared to receiving managers. Distribution warehouse managers are 2.1% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of receiving manager
Updated January 8, 2025











