What does a ship dock do?
A ship dock is responsible for performing various support tasks. Although the extent of their responsibilities depends on their line of work or company of employment, it typically includes loading and unloading heavy packages, reviewing documentation, maintaining records, and conducting shipment inspections to ensure compliance with the company's standards and regulations. They must also address issues and concerns, resolving them in a timely manner. Moreover, a ship dock must maintain an active communication line with staff for a smooth and efficient workflow.
Ship dock responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real ship dock resumes:
- Operate yard truck to manage dock needs, maintain safety and cleanliness of dock as well as yard.
- Segregate and secure non-conforming product.
- Provide comprehensive and accurate flow of merchandise.
- Deliver excellent customer service by assisting customers with merchandise pick up.
- Maintain proper receiving procedures, including the verification of inaccuracies and temperatures of product entering and leaving the facility.
- Mow lawn, run errands, advise customers, and assist in loading and unloading the boats.
Ship dock skills and personality traits
We calculated that 34% of Ship Docks are proficient in Hand Trucks, Freight Bills, and Hazardous Materials. They’re also known for soft skills such as Hand-eye coordination, Listening skills, and Physical strength.
We break down the percentage of Ship Docks that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Hand Trucks, 34%
Stocked the warehouse quickly and efficiently using hand trucks and carts.
- Freight Bills, 28%
Scanned and attached all freight bills to files on computer.
- Hazardous Materials, 17%
Hand stack freight which varies in shapes, sizes and weights which includes hazardous materials.
- Pallet Jack, 6%
Unloaded and loaded trailers used power pallet jack and forklift, delivered merchandise to dock location, other various other warehouse duties
- Pallets, 4%
Job Duties: Inbound Pallet Dock Unloading Pallets from trucks, Re-stacking and wrapping pallets, Loading pallets on to racks.
- Load Trucks, 2%
Operate cherry picker on various assignments, load trucks, pick and pack the routes going out for the day.
Most ship docks use their skills in "hand trucks," "freight bills," and "hazardous materials" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential ship dock responsibilities here:
Hand-eye coordination. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a ship dock to have is hand-eye coordination. Their role and responsibilities require that "most hand laborers and material movers use their arms and hands to manipulate objects or move objects into specific positions." Ship docks often use hand-eye coordination in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "operated with good hand eye coordination and communication with the forklift driver moving the boats for the customers. "
Listening skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling ship dock duties is listening skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "hand laborers and material movers follow instructions that a supervisor gives them." According to a ship dock resume, here's how ship docks can utilize listening skills in their job responsibilities: "communicated with vendors and other amazon fcs when notifying of shorts and overages by completing the required order adjustment forms. "
Physical strength. ship docks are also known for physical strength, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to ship dock responsibilities, because "some hand laborers and material movers must be able to lift and carry heavy objects." A ship dock resume example shows how physical strength is used in the workplace: "load and unload freight from trucks on the docks, physically and/or forklift. "
Customer-service skills. ship dock responsibilities often require "customer-service skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "hand laborers and material movers who work with the public, such as grocery baggers or carwash attendants, must be pleasant and courteous to customers." This resume example shows what ship docks do with customer-service skills on a typical day: "mowed lawn, ran errands, advised customers, and assisted in loading and unloading the boats. "
The three companies that hire the most ship docks are:
- YRC Freight62 ship docks jobs
- USF Reddaway
22 ship docks jobs
- Holland20 ship docks jobs
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Compare different ship docks
Ship dock vs. Loader/unloader
A loader's responsibilities regularly involve manual work such as lifting and transporting objects to vehicles like trucks and vans. The tasks of a loader may also include operating various kinds of machines, maintain accurate documentation and inventory, sort and organize goods while examining their quality and quantity, and devise strategies on how to expand space capacity. A loader also needs to coordinate with staff at all times, and report to managers or supervisors should there be any issues or inconsistencies.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between ship docks and loader/unloader. For instance, ship dock responsibilities require skills such as "freight bills," "dot," "hazardous materials," and "pallet jack." Whereas a loader/unloader is skilled in "electric pallet jack," "tractor trailer," "delivery truck," and "unload trucks." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Loader/unloaders tend to make the most money working in the transportation industry, where they earn an average salary of $34,552. In contrast, ship docks make the biggest average salary, $34,135, in the technology industry.On average, loader/unloaders reach similar levels of education than ship docks. Loader/unloaders are 0.6% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Ship dock vs. Can handler
Can handlers or material handlers have various duties and responsibilities within an organization. These include maintaining production and product distribution, staging finished products, and delivering production supplies and materials. Other responsibilities include maintaining inventory, documenting supplies and materials disposition, and receiving supplies and materials from production. They receive credit-return materials by verifying the code, quantity, and lot number. Can handlers also prepare products for shipment, maintain material-handling equipment, and contribute to teamwork and effort. The skills and qualifications needed for this position include organizational skills, inventory control, and data entry skills.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real ship dock resumes. While ship dock responsibilities can utilize skills like "freight bills," "dot," "pallets," and "cross-dock," can handlers use skills like "patients," "supply support," "safety regulations," and "fedex."
On average, can handlers earn a lower salary than ship docks. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, can handlers earn the most pay in the automotive industry with an average salary of $33,051. Whereas ship docks have higher pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $34,135.In general, can handlers achieve similar levels of education than ship docks. They're 1.3% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Ship dock vs. Assembler/material handler
An unloader is responsible for monitoring truck deliveries and managing all goods and merchandise to the store. Unloaders verify the deliveries' correct quantity by checking the receipts and ensuring its quality for customers' purchase. They respond to the customers' inquiries and concerns, facilitate the shelf arrangement of the products, sort items, and help with the store's organization and cleanliness. An unloader must have excellent time-management skills and the ability to multitask to perform various tasks in the fast-paced industry.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, ship docks are more likely to have skills like "freight bills," "dot," "hazardous materials," and "pallet jack." But a assembler/material handler is more likely to have skills like "line assembly," "electric pallet jack," "safety rules," and "rf."
Assembler/material handlers earn the highest salary when working in the automotive industry, where they receive an average salary of $36,778. Comparatively, ship docks have the highest earning potential in the technology industry, with an average salary of $34,135.When it comes to education, assembler/material handlers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to ship docks. In fact, they're 0.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Ship dock vs. Unloader
Types of ship dock
Updated January 8, 2025
