Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Delivery Person

🎯 Role Definition

This role requires a reliable, safety-focused Delivery Person (Delivery Driver / Courier) responsible for on-time, accurate, and courteous delivery of parcels, packages, or goods to residential and commercial customers. The ideal candidate combines strong time management, route navigation, package handling, and customer-service skills with a commitment to safety, chain-of-custody procedures, and professional representation of the brand. This role supports last-mile logistics operations and contributes directly to customer satisfaction and retention.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Warehouse Associate or Picker/Packer
Retail Stock Associate or Sales Associate
Part-time Courier / Gig Driver

Advancement To:

Senior Delivery Driver / Lead Driver
Route Supervisor or Dispatcher
Logistics Coordinator or Route Planner
Operations Supervisor or Fleet Manager

Lateral Moves:

Forklift Operator or Warehouse Lead
Customer Service Representative (Delivery support)
Inventory Control Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Load, secure, and organize packages and freight into the delivery vehicle using company procedures, ensuring proper weight distribution and damage prevention to maintain product integrity and comply with safety regulations.
Execute daily delivery routes according to predetermined schedules and priorities, using GPS navigation and route-optimization tools to minimize travel time and fuel consumption while meeting delivery windows.
Perform on-time, accurate door-to-door delivery of parcels, large items, and freight while collecting required signatures, scanning barcodes, and uploading proof of delivery (POD) using mobile devices or handheld scanners.
Handle fragile, high-value, and temperature-sensitive items with appropriate care and follow specific handling instructions (e.g., refrigeration, special packaging) to prevent spoilage or damage in transit.
Communicate proactively with dispatch and route planners about traffic delays, weather impacts, mechanical issues, or late deliveries and follow escalation procedures to manage exceptions and customer expectations.
Provide professional, courteous, and helpful customer service at delivery locations, addressing basic questions, obtaining required IDs or signatures, and documenting any delivery discrepancies or refusals precisely.
Inspect vehicle each day for safety and mechanical issues, complete pre-trip and post-trip checklists, report maintenance needs promptly, and ensure all required permits, registrations, and insurance documents are available.
Load and unload heavy items manually and with equipment (hand truck, dolly, pallet jack, or liftgate) following safe lifting techniques and company ergonomics guidelines to prevent injury and product damage.
Accurately reconcile delivery manifests, reconcile cash or COD transactions, issue receipts, and update logs and digital records at the end of the shift to ensure accurate billing and inventory control.
Adhere to all federal, state, and local transportation laws and company safety policies, including hours-of-service regulations, seatbelt use, and safe driving practices to maintain driver and public safety.
Manage returns and failed-delivery items according to company policy, including documenting reasons for non-delivery, obtaining customer confirmation where required, and returning undelivered items to the designated facility in a timely manner.
Secure vehicles and cargo at all times, lock vehicle when unattended, and follow loss-prevention procedures to minimize theft, tampering, and liability exposure while in route or during stops.
Coordinate with warehouse personnel and other drivers during peak periods to prioritize time-sensitive shipments and adjust routes dynamically based on order changes, cancellations, or emergency deliveries.
Maintain familiarity with product SKUs, delivery procedures, and special handling codes to reduce mis-deliveries and improve first-time delivery success rates.
Conduct on-site minor problem-solving (e.g., repositioning packages, verifying delivery addresses, contacting recipients) and escalate complex issues to supervisors or customer service teams with clear documentation and timestamps.
Demonstrate accountability for punctual shift start and end times, meeting daily productivity targets (deliveries per hour, stops per route) while balancing safety and customer service quality.
Use electronic communication tools (mobile apps, SMS, phone) to notify customers of delivery windows, arrival times, and any exceptions, improving transparency and reducing missed delivery attempts.
Follow contactless delivery protocols and health & safety guidelines when required, including sanitization, mask policies, and social distancing to protect customers and colleagues.
Participate in mandatory safety training, certification refreshers (e.g., DOT medical card, HAZMAT endorsements if applicable), and performance reviews to maintain compliance and career growth.
Uphold company appearance standards and brand representation while interacting with customers, ensuring professionalism and clear communication to positively influence customer satisfaction and retention.
Monitor and report fuel usage, route efficiency feedback, and ideas for process improvements to dispatch and operations leads for continuous optimization of last-mile delivery processes.
Maintain accurate records of mileage, tolls, parking fees, and expense receipts as required for reimbursement and regulatory compliance, submitting reports according to company timelines.

Secondary Functions

Assist warehouse teams during off-peak hours with sorting, packing, and staging shipments to improve loading accuracy and route efficiency.
Train and mentor new delivery hires on route protocols, safe handling techniques, navigation tools, and customer service expectations to accelerate onboarding.
Support inventory reconciliations by returning damaged or mis-shipped items to the hub and reporting discrepancies with photographic evidence through the incident reporting system.
Participate in promotional or seasonal surge operations, flexible scheduling, and overtime requirements to accommodate peak demand and maintain service levels.
Provide feedback to route planning, customer service, and product teams regarding delivery pain points, address anomalies, and recurring customer issues to drive system improvements.
Conduct basic vehicle cleaning and upkeep to present a professional appearance and reduce contamination risk for specialized shipments (e.g., food or medical supplies).

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Valid driver's license appropriate for the vehicle class (e.g., Class D; Class B or CDL if required for heavy trucks) with a clean driving record and ability to pass background and motor-vehicle-record checks.
Proven experience using GPS navigation, route-planning software, and delivery mobile applications (scanning, POD capture, signature capture).
Proficiency with handheld barcode scanners, mobile devices (iOS/Android), and basic troubleshooting of connectivity or app issues.
Competence in safe operation of delivery equipment: hand trucks, dollies, pallet jacks, and liftgates; familiarity with load securement and cargo restraint methods.
Knowledge of DOT hours-of-service rules, local traffic regulations, and fleet safety best practices relevant to last-mile delivery.
Ability to perform basic vehicle inspections, identify mechanical or safety issues, and accurately complete pre-trip/post-trip documentation.
Cash handling and point-of-sale (POS) transaction experience for COD orders, including issuing receipts and reconciling daily takings.
Familiarity with chain-of-custody procedures and documentation for sensitive or high-value shipments.
Basic record-keeping skills: completing logs, mileage reports, incident reports, and digital delivery manifests with attention to detail.
Ability to lift and carry heavy packages (commonly up to 50 lbs, with frequent lifting and repetitive loading/unloading), and follow safe-lifting protocols.

Soft Skills

Strong customer-service orientation with courteous verbal communication, a helpful attitude, and the ability to de-escalate minor conflicts on site.
Excellent time-management and organizational skills to prioritize stops and maintain high on-time delivery rates under pressure.
Problem-solving mindset that quickly adapts to address incorrect addresses, locked gates, or recipient availability while minimizing delivery delays.
Reliability and punctuality with consistent attendance, shift adherence, and responsibility for meeting productivity targets.
Attention to detail to ensure accurate deliveries, correct documentation, and adherence to company procedures and safety standards.
Team collaboration and willingness to support warehouse and dispatch teams during peak workloads or operational changes.
Stress tolerance and resilience for working in variable weather, traffic conditions, and high-volume delivery periods.
Good spatial awareness and route memory to optimize multiple stops and minimize backtracking.
Professional presence and integrity representing the company in customers' homes or businesses.
Continuous improvement mindset: open to feedback, safety coaching, and adopting new technology or procedures.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED, or equivalent practical experience.

Preferred Education:

Vocational training or certification in commercial driving, logistics, or fleet safety (optional).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Logistics and Supply Chain
Transportation Management
Fleet Safety and Commercial Driving

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

0–5 years, depending on vehicle class and company; many entry-level roles accept 0–1 year with on-the-job training, while specialized or CDL roles require 1–3+ years.

Preferred:

1+ year of professional delivery driving or courier experience, familiarity with route management systems, and a demonstrated safe driving record. Additional preference for candidates with CDL and/or DOT medical certification for heavy-vehicle routes.