Traffic, shipping, and receiving clerks keep records of all goods shipped and received. Their duties depend on the size of the establishment. In a small company, one clerk may be responsible for accepting deliveries, preparing shipments, and maintaining records. In a large company, the responsibilities are usually divided among several clerks who have specialized duties.
Traffic clerks maintain records on the destination, weight, and charges on all incoming and outgoing freight. They sometimes enter this information into a computer to be used by the counting and other departments within the firm. They make ire that the rate charges are accurate by comparing the classification of materials with rate charts. They also keep a file of claims for overcharges and for damage to goods in transit.
Shipping clerks are record keepers responsible for all outgoing shipments. They prepare shipping documents and mailing labels, and make sure orders have been filled correctly. They also record items taken from inventory and note when orders were filled. Sometimes they fill the order themselves; obtaining merchandise from the stockroom and wrapping it or packing it in shipping containers. They also address and label packages, look up and compute freight or postal rates, and record the weight and cost of each shipment. Sometimes they prepare invoices and furnish information about shipments to another part of the company, such as the accounting department. Once a shipment is checked and ready to go, shipping clerks may move the goods from the plant-sometimes by forklift truck-to the shipping dock and direct its loading.
When shipments arrive, receiving clerks perform tasks similar to those of shipping clerks. They determine whether their employer's orders have been correctly filled by verifying incoming shipments against the original order and the accompanying bill of lading or invoice. They record the shipment and the condition of its contents. In many firms, receiving clerks record the information by using hand-held scanners to read the bar codes on incoming products. They then connect the scanner or reader to a personal computer and transfer the data to the appropriate department. Depending on the computer system used, this information is then compared with the information transferred from a similar type of scanner used by the truck driver. The shipment is checked for any discrepancies in quantity, price, and discounts. Receiving clerks may route or move shipments to the proper department, warehouse section, or stockroom. They also arrange for adjustments with shippers whenever merchandise is lost or damaged. Shipping and receiving clerks in small businesses may also perform some stock clerk duties.
Working Conditions
Traffic, shipping, and receiving clerks work in a wide variety of businesses, institutions, and industries. Some work in warehouses, stock rooms, or in shipping and receiving rooms that are not temperature-controlled. Others may spend time in cold storage rooms or outside on loading platforms, where they are exposed to the weather. Most jobs involve frequent standing, bending, walking, stretching, lifting, and carrying. Although many use mechanical material-handling equipment to move heavy items, the work still can be strenuous. The typical workweek is 40 hours, Monday through Friday, although evening and weekend hours are standard for some jobs and may be required in others when large shipments are involved or when inventory is taken.
Employment
Nearly three out of every four are employed by wholesale or retail establishments, or manufacturing firms. Although jobs for traffic, shipping, and receiving clerks are found throughout the country, most clerks work in urban areas, where factories and wholesale establishments generally are located. Many traffic, shipping, and receiving clerks work for the U.S. Postal Service.
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement
Employers prefer to hire high school graduates, especially those who have taken business courses. Preference also may be given to candidates who have previous business or specific job-related experience. Good reading and writing skills, as well as a basic knowledge of business arithmetic are necessary. Typing, filing, recordkeeping, and other clerical skills are also important. Some employers give applicants typing tests.
Traffic, shipping, and receiving clerks who handle jewelry, liquor, or drugs may have to be bonded. A familiarity with personal computers or computer systems is an asset, because computers are increasingly used for inventory control.
Trainees usually develop the necessary skills on the job. This informal training lasts from several days to a few months, depending on the complexity of the job.
Traffic, shipping, and receiving clerks usually learn the job by doing simple tasks under close supervision. They learn how to count and mark stock and then start keeping records and taking inventory. Traffic, shipping, and receiving clerks start out by checking items to be shipped and then attaching labels and making sure the addresses are correct. Training in the use of automated equipment is usually done informally on the job.
Strength, stamina, good eyesight, and an ability to work at repetitive tasks, sometimes under pressure, are important characteristics for traffic, shipping, and receiving clerks.
Advancement opportunities vary with the place of employment. In large firms, traffic, shipping, and receiving clerks can be promoted to head clerk, and those with a broad understanding of shipping and receiving may enter a related field such as industrial traffic management. With additional training, some traffic, shipping, and receiving clerks advance to jobs as warehouse manager or purchasing agent.
Job Outlook
Employment of traffic, shipping, and receiving clerks is expected to increase more slowly than the average for all occupations. Employment growth will continue to be affected by automation, as all but the smallest firms move to hold down labor costs by using computers to store and retrieve shipping and receiving records.
Methods of materials handling have changed significantly in recent years. Large warehouses are increasingly automated, using equipment such as computerized conveyor systems, robots, computer-directed trucks, and automatic storage and retrieval systems. Automation, coupled with the growing use of hand-held scanners and personal computers in receiving departments has increased the productivity of these workers.
Despite automation, job openings will arise due to increasing economic activity and because certain functions cannot be automated. For example, someone needs to check shipments before they go out and when they arrive to ensure that everything is in order. However, most job openings will occur because of the need to replace traffic, shipping, and receiving clerks who leave the occupation. Because this is an entry-level occupation, vacancies are also created by normal career progression.
Earnings
Median weekly earnings of traffic, shipping, and receiving clerks are about $400 in 1994.
Traffic, shipping, and receiving clerks usually receive same benefits as most other workers. If uniforms are required employers usually provide either the uniforms or an allowance to purchase them.
Related Occupations
Traffic, shipping, and receiving clerks record, check, and often store the materials that a company receives. They also process and pack goods for shipment. Other workers who perform similar duties are stock clerks, material clerks, distributing clerks, routing clerks, express clerks, expediters, and order fillers.
Related D.O.I. Jobs
These job titles are related to or more specific than the more general description given above. They will help you identify job options you may not otherwise discover. These descriptions are in the current edition of the Dictionary of Occupational Titles and classified by numerical order.
209.367-042 RECONSIGNMENT CLERK; 214.587-TRAFFIC CLERK 219.367-022 PAPER-CONTROL CLERK; 219.367-030 SHIPPING-RECORD CLERK; 221.367-022 INDUSTRIAL-ORDER CLERK; 222.367-1 TRUCKLOAD CHECKER; 222.387-014 CAR CHECKER; 222.387-1 GUN-REPAIR CLERK; 222.387-050 SHIPPING AND RECEIVING CLERK 222.387.054 SORTER-PRICER; 222.485-010 MILK-RECEIVER, GRAIN ELEVATOR CLERK; 222.567-014 RUNNER; 222.587-018 DISTRIBUTING CLERK; 222.587-034 DELIVERY CLERK; 222.587-058 VAULT WORKER; 222.687-030 SHIPPING CHECKER; 248.362-( INCOMING-FREIGHT CLERK; 248.367-014 BOOKING CLERK; 248.3 022 CONTAINER COORDINATOR; 919.687-010 CHECKER; 976.687-1 PHOTO-FINISHING LABORATORY WORKER
Sources of Additional Information
General information about traffic, shipping, and receiving clerks can be obtained by contacting:
? National Retail Federation, Washington, DC 20004-2608
