What does a shipping operator do?
Shipping operator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real shipping operator resumes:
- Receive large boxes on warehouse dock, scan product with RF scanner, and input product information into computer.
- Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.
- Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.
Shipping operator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 16% of Shipping Operators are proficient in Pallets, Safety Procedures, and Customer Orders. They’re also known for soft skills such as Alertness, Coordination, and Mechanical skills.
We break down the percentage of Shipping Operators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Pallets, 16%
Consolidated smaller pallets to optimize floor space and improve efficiency of loading process.
- Safety Procedures, 10%
Followed safety procedures to maintain safety environment.
- Customer Orders, 9%
Prepared product for shipment following customer orders.
- RF, 7%
Pick case orders using an electric pallet jack and RF Scanner.
- Team Work, 6%
Used communication skills, team work skills, and problem solving skills.
- Troubleshoot, 6%
Perform daily maintenance Troubleshoot machine issues and take appropriate action to resolve.
Common skills that a shipping operator uses to do their job include "pallets," "safety procedures," and "customer orders." You can find details on the most important shipping operator responsibilities below.
Coordination. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling shipping operator duties is coordination. The role rewards competence in this skill because "material moving machine operators must have steady hands and feet to guide and control heavy machinery precisely." According to a shipping operator resume, here's how shipping operators can utilize coordination in their job responsibilities: "performed complex international shipment coordination tasks and donor development projects. "
Mechanical skills. This is an important skill for shipping operators to perform their duties. For an example of how shipping operator responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "material moving machine operators make minor adjustments to their machines and perform basic maintenance on them." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a shipping operator: "maintained and repaired machinery such as logistics and mechanical equipment in the field. ".
Visual ability. For certain shipping operator responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "visual ability." The day-to-day duties of a shipping operator rely on this skill, as "material moving machine operators must be able to see clearly where they are driving or what they are moving." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what shipping operators do: "receive work orders in visual putting manufactured inventory in stock, and manage inventory control. "
Communication skills. A commonly-found skill in shipping operator job descriptions, "communication skills" is essential to what shipping operators do. Shipping operator responsibilities rely on this skill because "material moving machine operators signal and direct workers to load and unload material." You can also see how shipping operator duties rely on communication skills in this resume example: "ordered appliance parts and provided yearly inventory of items.knowledge of basic computer systems and electronic communications. "
The three companies that hire the most shipping operators are:
- Publix8 shipping operators jobs
- Scentsy7 shipping operators jobs
- Revlon4 shipping operators jobs
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Compare different shipping operators
Shipping operator vs. Forklift operator and receiver
A material handler and forklift operator is responsible for transporting and storing various kinds of goods, even including fragile or hazardous shipments. The duties and location will vary depending on the line of work or industry involved. However, most of the tasks will require efficiency in operating machinery, communication skills, and great attention to detail. Furthermore, a material handler and forklift operator must monitor products and keep an accurate record of overall activities, transport materials within allotted time and schedule, and maintain communication and coordination with co-workers and supervisors.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a shipping operator are more likely to require skills like "rf," "team work," "troubleshoot," and "dot." On the other hand, a job as a forklift operator and receiver requires skills like "electric pallet jack," "rf scanner," "forklift operation," and "stand-up forklift." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Forklift operators and receiver really shine in the automotive industry with an average salary of $37,086. Comparatively, shipping operators tend to make the most money in the technology industry with an average salary of $31,206.The education levels that forklift operators and receiver earn slightly differ from shipping operators. In particular, forklift operators and receiver are 1.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a shipping operator. Additionally, they're 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Shipping operator vs. Material handler/forklift operator
A machine operator/forklift operator is responsible for operating industrial trucks to move merchandise around the warehouse facilities and other assigned areas. Machine operators/forklift operators also assist with inventory tasks by scanning orders and ensuring the correct merchandise for shipment. They manage the stability of the vehicles, ensuring its efficiency and optimization during operations, performing engine repairs for any inconsistencies to avoid delays on deliveries. A machine operator/forklift operator should strictly follow the safety protocols of the business, as well as have knowledge of the mechanical industry.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real shipping operator resumes. While shipping operator responsibilities can utilize skills like "rf," "team work," "troubleshoot," and "dot," material handler/forklift operators use skills like "electric pallet jack," "forklift operation," "rf scanner," and "assembly line."
Material handler/forklift operators may earn a higher salary than shipping operators, but material handler/forklift operators earn the most pay in the automotive industry with an average salary of $37,909. On the other hand, shipping operators receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $31,206.In general, material handler/forklift operators achieve similar levels of education than shipping operators. They're 1.7% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Shipping operator vs. Machine operator/forklift operator
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, shipping operators are more likely to have skills like "pallets," "team work," "dot," and "shipping receiving." But a machine operator/forklift operator is more likely to have skills like "drive forklift," "machine operation," "cnc," and "electric pallet jack."
Machine operator/forklift operators make a very good living in the automotive industry with an average annual salary of $36,711. On the other hand, shipping operators are paid the highest salary in the technology industry, with average annual pay of $31,206.machine operator/forklift operators typically earn similar educational levels compared to shipping operators. Specifically, they're 1.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Shipping operator vs. Production forklift operator
Types of shipping operator
Updated January 8, 2025
