What does a shipping coordinator do?

Also called warehouse managers, shipping coordinators take responsibility for export logistics, compliance to documentation activities, and the performance of shipping services. It is their job to coordinate the functional logistics staff in facilitating freight movements based on land. They oversee various factors of the shipping process. They are also considered as the touchpoint between new recruits and the company. The skills they need include strong communication, attention to detail, leadership, and management.
Shipping coordinator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real shipping coordinator resumes:
- Utilize ERP system to track, manage, and maintain raw bulk inventory, WIP inventory, and finish goods inventory.
- Develop and implement lean processes to manage the economical and efficient coordination of interdepartmental logistics.
- Manage all aspects of customer shipments including generation of shipping output documents, coordination of logistics or scheduling domestic/international freight forwarders.
- Improve all KPI reporting for the bottling operation and implement visual aids such as report cards and production floor daily displays5.
- Ensure freight forwarders are select based on company objectives for cost and delivery
- Used computers for fed-ex and ups deliveries.
- Utilize Rf system for merchandise loads and unloads.
- Create AWB using DHL carrier and alternate carriers.
- Negotiate rates and monitor rates with DHL and FedEx.
- Maintain database of customers, special order merchandise, and inventory on AS400.
- Monitor and update shipping reports and KPI's and proactively handle any issues accordingly.
- Cross train, PHMSA DOT/ICAO HazMat certify, to assist with shipping requirements for company.
- Print load reports, which include bill of lading for shipments in SWOPS on the AS400.
- Lead a team of five employees, to ensure all orders are pick and process efficiently following ISO standards.
- Coordinate the assignment of commercial freight and LTL carriers through personal/phone contact with the trucking company dispatchers and driver managers.
Shipping coordinator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 25% of Shipping Coordinators are proficient in Customer Service, Inventory Control, and Shipping Receiving. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Customer-service skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Shipping Coordinators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 25%
Improved customer service for high visibility accounts by encouraging timely response by service providers and proactively fixing possible paperwork issues.
- Inventory Control, 8%
Performed a variety of basic and specialized inventory control and shipping transactions for domestic and international shipments of customer products.
- Shipping Receiving, 7%
Maintained shipping receiving and distribution operations.
- Data Entry, 5%
Organized data entry and videotape distribution of client shipping and digital orders and in-house production offices
- On-Time Delivery, 5%
Attended weekly production meeting with management to report/review manufacturing needs in order to provide on-time delivery to customers.
- Pallet Jack, 3%
Loaded and unloaded shipments, using lift truck or pallet jack, as needed to cover shipping staff breaks and lunches.
Most shipping coordinators use their skills in "customer service," "inventory control," and "shipping receiving" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential shipping coordinator responsibilities here:
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a shipping coordinator to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what shipping coordinators do because "material recording clerks are frequently in contact with suppliers, vendors, or managers and need to convey their company’s needs effectively." Additionally, a shipping coordinator resume shows how shipping coordinators use communication skills: "maintain effective communications with external carriers and internal departments to ensure timely and accurate order fulfillments. "
Customer-service skills. Many shipping coordinator duties rely on customer-service skills. "material recording clerks may interact with customers in order to respond to problems or complaints.," so a shipping coordinator will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways shipping coordinator responsibilities rely on customer-service skills: "interact with sourcing department, customers and factories to assure order fulfillment in the most efficient manner. "
Detail oriented. This is an important skill for shipping coordinators to perform their duties. For an example of how shipping coordinator responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "material and product inspecting clerks must pay attention to detail when checking items for defects, some of which are small and difficult to spot." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a shipping coordinator: "communicate accurate order shipments and export details to customer service".
Math skills. A big part of what shipping coordinators do relies on "math skills." You can see how essential it is to shipping coordinator 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 shipping coordinator tasks: "maintained kpi statistics for distribution center management team. "
The three companies that hire the most shipping coordinators are:
- WestRock8 shipping coordinators jobs
- JBS USA7 shipping coordinators jobs
- Stanley Black & Decker6 shipping coordinators jobs
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Shipping coordinator vs. Receivables specialist
A receivables specialist is in charge of overseeing and processing account receivables, ensuring accuracy and timeliness. They typically perform bookkeeping tasks, update records and databases, reconcile accounts, and develop strategies to optimize collection procedures. They must also maintain streamlined and organized systems, addressing any issues and resolving them promptly and efficiently while adhering to the company's policies and regulations. Moreover, a receivables specialist must maintain an active communication line with staff for a smooth and efficient workflow.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, shipping coordinator responsibilities require skills like "on-time delivery," "pallet jack," "necessary paperwork," and "freight forwarders." Meanwhile a typical receivables specialist has skills in areas such as "sales floor," "customer orders," "logistics," and "cleanliness." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Receivables specialists earn the highest salaries when working in the automotive industry, with an average yearly salary of $37,075. On the other hand, shipping coordinators are paid more in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $37,517.receivables specialists tend to reach similar levels of education than shipping coordinators. In fact, receivables specialists are 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Shipping coordinator vs. Logistics clerk
Logistics clerks are professionals who are responsible for regulating the supply chain of an organization by performing administrative tasks such as monitoring inventory levels, arranging transportation methods, and managing shipping schedules. These clerks are required to ensure that electronic or paper files are kept accurately and up-to-date so that they can track orders and answer billing questions. They must assist in inspecting orders that arrived in their facility so that they can identify damage and input information into their inventory records. Logistic clerks must also handle replacement for incorrect or damaged goods.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real shipping coordinator resumes. While shipping coordinator responsibilities can utilize skills like "on-time delivery," "pallet jack," "necessary paperwork," and "erp," logistics clerks use skills like "customer orders," "freight bills," "delivery schedules," and "reconcile inventory."
On average, logistics clerks earn a lower salary than shipping coordinators. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, logistics clerks earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $35,696. Whereas shipping coordinators have higher pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $37,517.logistics clerks earn similar levels of education than shipping coordinators in general. They're 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Shipping coordinator vs. 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. They also update inventory records on the warehouse's database, administering orders and payments, and responding to the customer's inquiries and concerns. A shipper receiver should have a working knowledge of the mechanical industry, especially on operating warehouse tools and equipment safely and efficiently.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from shipping coordinator resumes include skills like "customer service," "data entry," "on-time delivery," and "pallet jack," whereas a shipper receiver is more likely to list skills in "pallets," "customer orders," "basic math," and "electric pallet jack. "
Shipper receivers earn the highest salary when working in the construction industry, where they receive an average salary of $37,076. Comparatively, shipping coordinators have the highest earning potential in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $37,517.shipper receivers typically earn similar educational levels compared to shipping coordinators. Specifically, they're 1.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Shipping coordinator vs. Shipper
A shipper is an employee who is responsible for filling customer orders and ensures that the quality of these orders meets the company standards. Shippers are tasked with locating items in a warehouse and preparing them for shipping while completing all the transportation procedures so that no complications arise during the cargo-sending process. They use different trays, forklifts, and scissor lifts following the safety standards set by government regulations and company rules. Shippers must also know how to operate a scanner or use the shipping system to track inventory.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between shipping coordinators and shippers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a shipping coordinator might have more use for skills like "customer service," "data entry," "on-time delivery," and "pallet jack." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of shippers require skills like "pallets," "basic math," "math," and "electric pallet jack. "
In general, shippers earn the most working in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $35,425. The highest-paying industry for a shipping coordinator is the manufacturing industry.shippers reach similar levels of education compared to shipping coordinators, in general. The difference is that they're 1.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of shipping coordinator
Updated January 8, 2025











