What does a warehouse receiving do?

The duties of a warehouse receiving worker include interacting with delivery couriers, such as DHL and FedEx/UPS, while generally simplifying the customer service delivery process. They are expected to closely inspect all goods and products for damages, verify the quantities of products ordered, and enter these into inventory using RF or WMS system. The responsibility of determining the designated method of shipment of products may also fall to them.
Warehouse receiving responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real warehouse receiving resumes:
- Rotate stock base on FIFO.
- Input product inventory in WMS system.
- Enter locations of stock into WMS.
- Receive and organize merchandise ensuring pallets are safely accessible.
- Maintain clean and sanitary operating environment; responsible for maintaining cleanliness of receiving area including loading dock and trash areas.
- Follow procedures for damage merchandise and UPC problems
Warehouse receiving skills and personality traits
We calculated that 16% of Warehouse Receivings are proficient in Pallets, Warehouse Receiver, and Purchase Orders. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Customer-service skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Warehouse Receivings that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Pallets, 16%
Received and organized merchandise ensuring pallets are safely accessible.
- Warehouse Receiver, 8%
Warehouse Receiver: Accurately organized inventory for multiple stores.
- Purchase Orders, 7%
Received materials against purchase orders on Connected program.
- Shipping Receiving, 6%
Mill operator making paint out of batch ticket / Filling line operator/shipping receiving order pulling forklift driver (5 years)
- Load Trucks, 6%
Utilize forklift to unload trucks and move big ticket items, Ensure sales floor is well stocked and warehouse is kept orderly
- Warehouse Environment, 5%
Coordinated day to day operations within warehouse environment.
Most warehouse receivings use their skills in "pallets," "warehouse receiver," and "purchase orders" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential warehouse receiving responsibilities here:
Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for a warehouse receiving 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 warehouse receiving resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "assumed leadership to increase task management and communication practices between staff to minimize errors and maximize customer service. "
Customer-service skills. Another essential skill to perform warehouse receiving duties is customer-service skills. Warehouse receivings responsibilities require that "material recording clerks may interact with customers in order to respond to problems or complaints." Warehouse receivings also use customer-service skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "gathered outgoing inventory assignments for specific customer orders while keeping to company's time sensitive standards. "
Detail oriented. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of warehouse receivings is detail oriented. This skill is critical to many everyday warehouse receiving 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 and detailed all products that came into and out of the home depot. "
Math skills. For certain warehouse receiving responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "math skills." The day-to-day duties of a warehouse receiving 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 warehouse receivings do: "last thing is i really used a lot of math so i got good with numbers. "
The three companies that hire the most warehouse receivings are:
- McLane15 warehouse receivings jobs
- RelaDyne13 warehouse receivings jobs
- Staples11 warehouse receivings jobs
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Warehouse receiving vs. Shipping and receiving coordinator
A Shipping and Receiving Coordinator oversees the shipment and deliveries of products in a warehouse or organization. One must have an efficient organization, and communication skills as most of the duties include shipping and receiving merchandise and maintain accurate and proactive control of inventory. Additionally, a Shipping and Receiving Coordinator can have different tasks such as loading and unloading products, stacking up shelves and keeping it up to the standards of company policies, inspect the merchandise, and communicate with customers.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, warehouse receiving responsibilities require skills like "warehouse receiver," "warehouse environment," "basic math," and "math." Meanwhile a typical shipping and receiving coordinator has skills in areas such as "part numbers," "logistics," "outbound shipments," and "space availability." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Shipping and receiving coordinators really shine in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $34,535. Comparatively, warehouse receivings tend to make the most money in the transportation industry with an average salary of $33,909.shipping and receiving coordinators tend to reach similar levels of education than warehouse receivings. In fact, shipping and receiving coordinators are 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Warehouse receiving vs. Shipping and receiving associate
Usually, shipping and receiving associates work in retail or a warehouse to manage the incoming and outgoing materials and products. Shipping and receiving associates keep records of all the materials received and shipped. They develop the mailing labels as well as the shipping documents. It is their job to make sure that orders are filled appropriately. The skills necessary for this job include basic math, communication, organization, and attention to detail.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that warehouse receiving responsibilities requires skills like "warehouse receiver," "warehouse environment," "basic math," and "math." But a shipping and receiving associate might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "customer service," "hand tools," "logistics," and "rf."
Shipping and receiving associates may earn a lower salary than warehouse receivings, but shipping and receiving associates earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $35,683. On the other hand, warehouse receivings receive higher pay in the transportation industry, where they earn an average salary of $33,909.shipping and receiving associates earn similar levels of education than warehouse receivings in general. They're 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Warehouse receiving vs. Shipping and receiving clerk
Shipping and receiving clerks manage all incoming and outgoing packages in a warehouse or logistics facility. They ensure that all outgoing packages are packed accurately based on the order form and secured properly based on company standards. They then ensure that the parcels are shipped and delivered. Shipping and receiving clerks also manage the receipt of all incoming packages. They check whether these incoming packages are addressed to the company. They also check if all received packages are complete and in good condition. Shipping and receiving clerks ensure that all incoming and outgoing packages are recorded and that the inventory is updated at all times.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, warehouse receivings are more likely to have skills like "pallets," "warehouse receiver," "warehouse environment," and "basic math." But a shipping and receiving clerk is more likely to have skills like "customer service," "rf," "outbound shipments," and "hazardous materials."
Shipping and receiving clerks make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $35,267. On the other hand, warehouse receivings are paid the highest salary in the transportation industry, with average annual pay of $33,909.When it comes to education, shipping and receiving clerks tend to earn similar degree levels compared to warehouse receivings. In fact, they're 0.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Warehouse receiving vs. Receiving associate
Real estate brokers are industry professionals that receive a state license as a real estate broker. Since they acquire a higher-level permit, they can either work independently or hire and manage real estate agents. They generally work with buyers to look for their client's preferred property. They also help negotiate, write contracts, and manage real estate transactions that can either be buying, renting, or selling properties. As compensation, they receive a commission as soon as the sale is completed.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between warehouse receivings and receiving associates, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a warehouse receiving might have more use for skills like "warehouse receiver," "warehouse environment," "basic math," and "math." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of receiving associates require skills like "unload trucks," "customer service," "safety procedures," and "safety standards. "
The technology industry tends to pay the highest salaries for receiving associates, with average annual pay of $33,448. Comparatively, the highest warehouse receiving annual salary comes from the transportation industry.The average resume of receiving associates showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to warehouse receivings. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 0.4% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.1%.Types of warehouse receiving
Updated January 8, 2025











