How to hire a shipping manager

How to hire a shipping manager, step by step

Here's a step-by-step shipping manager hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a shipping manager job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new shipping manager
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a shipping manager do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the shipping manager you need to hire. Certain shipping manager roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A shipping manager's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, shipping managers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of shipping managers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Shipping Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Shipping Manager		$17-35
   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... Show more	$42-86
   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... Show more	$19-46

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • On-Time Delivery
   • Logistics
   • Shipping Receiving
   • Inventory Control
   • ISO
   • Purchase Orders
   • Customer Orders
   • LTL
   • Outbound Shipments
   • Pallet Jack
   • Warehouse Operations
   • International Shipments
   • Customer Satisfaction

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead KPI brainstorming team, establishing a collection system for information and ideas-generate viable marketing and product ideas to pursue.
   • Prepare and QC all shipments for shipping utilizing FedEx, USPS and DHL.
   • Coordinate freight forwarders and documentation for customs broker.
   • Coordinate with manufacturers, freight forwarders and transportation services to expedite orders.
   • Build relationships with vendors and DHL employees.
   • Check in merchandise and affix labels HAZMAT materials.

   More shipping manager duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your shipping manager job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A shipping manager salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, shipping managers' average salary in maine is 33% less than in nevada.
   • Seniority. Entry-level shipping managers earn 51% less than senior-level shipping managers.
   • Certifications. A shipping manager with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a shipping manager's salary.

   Average shipping manager salary

   $52,003yearly

   $25.00 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level shipping manager salary

   $36,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 17, 2026

   Average shipping manager salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Washington	$61,770	$30
   2	California	$60,489	$29
   3	Maryland	$55,944	$27
   4	New York	$54,471	$26
   5	Utah	$51,212	$25
   6	Texas	$50,843	$24
   7	Michigan	$50,789	$24
   8	Virginia	$50,636	$24
   9	Tennessee	$50,406	$24
   10	North Carolina	$49,180	$24
   11	Massachusetts	$48,806	$23
   12	Oklahoma	$47,730	$23
   13	Georgia	$47,016	$23
   14	Florida	$46,957	$23
   15	Ohio	$45,435	$22

   Average shipping manager salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Harvard University	$60,943	$29.30
   2	Fortive	$56,161	$27.00
   3	WestRock	$55,298	$26.59	10
   4	American Beverage	$55,280	$26.58
   5	Delta Technology LLC	$55,055	$26.47
   6	Preferred	$54,955	$26.42
   7	Pyromation	$54,699	$26.30
   8	Fischbach LLC	$53,881	$25.90
   9	Global Finishing Solutions	$53,873	$25.90
   10	Bren-Tronics	$53,758	$25.85
   11	Koch Industries	$53,484	$25.71	1
   12	AGCO	$53,412	$25.68
   13	Performance Food Group	$53,132	$25.54	19
   14	Oldcastle Infrastructure	$53,063	$25.51	14
   15	Future Motion	$52,999	$25.48
   16	Atkore International	$52,923	$25.44
   17	All-Ways Advertising	$52,906	$25.44
   18	WebstaurantStore	$52,808	$25.39	5
   19	UFP Industries	$52,743	$25.36	5
   20	Steel Dynamics	$52,632	$25.30	3

4. Writing a shipping manager job description

   A job description for a shipping manager role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a shipping manager job description:

   Shipping manager job description example

   Imagine...working for a company that knows that its people are the key to its success in the marketplace. A company in which achieving extraordinary results and having a stimulating work experience are part of the same process.
   
   We cultivate and embrace a diverse employee population. We recognize that people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives fuel our growth and enrich our global culture.
   
   We are looking for an individual who enjoys working in a fast-paced, team oriented environment, likes to be challenged, and values the opportunity to make a difference.
   Job Description:
   The Shipping Utility will have various duties within the plant and offsite distribution center. The Utility person will have job responsibilities of running the basket stackers, loading trucks, unloading trucks, placing finished stacks into the shipping area, keeping accurate production counts, as well as picking depot orders at the offsite distribution center. The Utility person will neatly and accurately fill out all necessary paperwork and turn it into the proper place. Responsible for area housekeeping and other duties as assigned by supervisor.
   
   Job Functions:
   Review pertinent information with the previous shift i.e. mechanical issues etc.Oversee and actively load interplant shipments using STO BuilderProvide all relief to basket stacker operator Ensure proper product rotation Operate all the equipment in the area.Ability to stack baskets 15 to 17 high is necessary.Ability to load full stacks of bread, unload full stacks of bread and pick baskets for depot orders.Place stacks of product on the shipping floor.Empty trash as needed. Be responsible for job duties while giving Relief.Neatly and accurately fill out all necessary documentation (Ex. HACCP - CTS) Maintain a safe neat and clean work area accordance with GMP and good housekeeping practices.Communicate with co-workers and supervisors Follow all JSA guidelines
   
   Equipment Used:
   Personal Protective Equipment (JSA's) Trash cans Stacker Trash CartsForklift Powered hand jack Utility knife CartsBaskets/Dollies Small hand tools Housekeeping Equipment
   
   Critical Demands of the Job:
   
   Rarely
   1 - 5%
   (4.5 min. - 25 min)
   Occasionally
   6 - 33 %
   (27 min. - 2 hrs.45 min)
   Frequently
   34 - 66 %
   (3 hrs. - 5 hrs.)
   Continuously
   67 - 100 %
   (5 hrs - 7.5 hrs)
   Standing and walking --- ContinuouslyTurning body side to side --- ContinuouslyCrouching --- OccasionallyReach or lift 1# to 25# above shoulder level --- FrequentlyPush/pull force --- ContinuouslyLifting product weight of 2# - 25# --- FrequentlyForward bending --- FrequentlyVisualize --- Continuously
   
   Work Conditions:
   8-12 Hour shift. Will receive 2 fifteen-minute breaks and one-half hour break. Overtime is required.Environment - Noise levels will be minimal to moderate. The distribution center is not air conditioned and high velocity fans are the main source of cooling. Lighting is sufficient. There is a possibility of slippery footing.High school Diploma or GED preferred, not required.
   
   The Company is committed to providing equal opportunity for employees and applicants in all aspects of the employment relationship, without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, religion or any other classification protected by law.
   
   In that regard, U.S. applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on certain categories protected by Federal law. Click here for additional information.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right shipping manager for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with shipping managers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit shipping managers who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your shipping manager job on Zippia to find and recruit shipping manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit shipping managers, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new shipping manager

   Once you've found the shipping manager candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new shipping manager. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a shipping manager?