What does a shipping manager do?

A shipping manager is responsible for monitoring the shipment procedures of a distribution center, ensuring the quality and quantity of the merchandise before release to avoid delays and client conflicts. Shipping managers evaluate staff performance on their productivity in meeting timely deliveries and operational efficiency. They handle and track shipping activities through software tools and implement strategies for better optimization. A shipping manager also responds to clients' inquiries and concerns, resolving complaints immediately by conducting item replacements or payment refunds.
Shipping manager responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real shipping manager resumes:
- 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.
- Process invoices for USPS for clients packages mail out.
- Maintain inventory accuracy through daily reconciliation of inbound & outbound receipts via WMS systems.
- Tailor and implement RF gun technology to allocate work and check on status of orders.
- Print out BOL's, packing slips and sales reports and assign to appropriate staff.
- Perform in a vital role to enhance implementation of a new ERP system plant wide.
- Enter orders in company ERP system and coordinate the daily production schedule with production teams.
- Train employees in use of RF scanners and various inventory software to include ACCPAC and AS400.
- Schedule truck pick-ups, and load or supervise loading of all outbound freight, and create the BOL's.
- Coordinate, arrange and schedule various LTL carriers, cranes, flatbeds or any necessary transportation arrangements for pick-ups and deliveries.
Shipping manager skills and personality traits
We calculated that 14% of Shipping Managers are proficient in Customer Service, On-Time Delivery, and Logistics. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Customer-service skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Shipping Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 14%
Inventory control/sales/customer service/order entry/invoicing/accounts payable and received.
- On-Time Delivery, 9%
Confirmed customer focus in inventory management, on-time delivery, investigating order fulfillment, complaint resolution and customer visits as necessary.
- Logistics, 9%
Direct inbound or outbound logistics operations including transportation, warehouse, safety and overall quality management and emphasis on cost-reduction.
- Shipping Receiving, 6%
managed shipping receiving staff, approximately fifteen employees, clerks and fork truck operators.
- Inventory Control, 6%
Improved accuracy and established accountability for inventory control, customer invoicing, all returns or exchanges within policy and procedure guidelines.
- ISO, 6%
Established written departmental procedures and work instructions for ISO certification.
Common skills that a shipping manager uses to do their job include "customer service," "on-time delivery," and "logistics." You can find details on the most important shipping manager responsibilities below.
Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for a shipping manager to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role 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 manager resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "used my interpersonal communication, leadership and customer service skills to establish a working relationship with customers and other departments. "
Customer-service skills. Many shipping manager duties rely on customer-service skills. "material recording clerks may interact with customers in order to respond to problems or complaints.," so a shipping manager will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways shipping manager responsibilities rely on customer-service skills: "processed 50-60 packaging orders and customer invoices daily qualified for ups world-ship worked with hazmat material"
Detail oriented. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of shipping managers is detail oriented. This skill is critical to many everyday shipping manager duties, as "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 example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "received recognition by superiors for the quality and timeliness of reports, attention to detail, and exemplary customer service delivery. "
Math skills. For certain shipping manager responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "math skills." The day-to-day duties of a shipping manager rely on this skill, as "material recording clerks may need to calculate shipping costs or take measurements." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what shipping managers do: "worked within service module of the erp system and created work orders developed scheduled and reported service statistics. "
The three companies that hire the most shipping managers are:
- WestRock7 shipping managers jobs
- Cargill5 shipping managers jobs
- Dover2 shipping managers jobs
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Shipping 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.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a shipping manager are more likely to require skills like "on-time delivery," "logistics," "shipping receiving," and "iso." On the other hand, a job as a director of distribution requires skills like "continuous improvement," "project management," "distribution operations," and "distribution centers." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Directors of distribution really shine in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $119,935. Comparatively, shipping managers tend to make the most money in the professional industry with an average salary of $54,687.On average, directors of distribution reach higher levels of education than shipping managers. Directors of distribution are 9.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.7% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Shipping 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.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that shipping manager responsibilities requires skills like "on-time delivery," "purchase orders," "pallet jack," and "customer satisfaction." But a distribution supervisor might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "continuous improvement," "osha," "corrective action," and "safety training."
On average, distribution supervisors earn a higher salary than shipping managers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, distribution supervisors earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $68,278. Whereas shipping managers have higher pay in the professional industry, with an average salary of $54,687.In general, distribution supervisors achieve similar levels of education than shipping managers. They're 1.9% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Shipping manager vs. Logistics supervisor
A logistics supervisor is an individual tasked to oversee goods shipment and delivery in organizations. Supervisors manage the planning, organization, and implementation of the company's systems. They take responsibility for managing the inventory of warehouse stocks based on the foreseeable requirements. It is part of their job to schedule deliveries and pickups with the internal staff or transportation companies. Their skills should include adaptability, project management proficiency, and communication skills.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a shipping manager is likely to be skilled in "logistics," "purchase orders," "pallet jack," and "dhl," while a typical logistics supervisor is skilled in "continuous improvement," "osha," "safety procedures," and "excellent time management."
Logistics supervisors make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $82,503. On the other hand, shipping managers are paid the highest salary in the professional industry, with average annual pay of $54,687.Most logistics supervisors achieve a similar degree level compared to shipping managers. For example, they're 3.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Shipping 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 shipping managers and distribution warehouse managers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a shipping manager might have more use for skills like "on-time delivery," "purchase orders," "international shipments," and "customer satisfaction." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of distribution warehouse managers require skills like "safety procedures," "operational procedures," "warehouse associates," and "distribution warehouse. "
In general, distribution warehouse managers earn the most working in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $31,834. The highest-paying industry for a shipping manager is the professional industry.distribution warehouse managers reach similar levels of education compared to shipping managers, in general. The difference is that they're 1.8% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of shipping manager
Updated January 8, 2025











