Torchora
Back to Home

Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Warehouse Receiving Coordinator

💰 $ - $

LogisticsWarehouseSupply ChainOperations

🎯 Role Definition

The Warehouse Receiving Coordinator is responsible for managing inbound goods flow, verifying quantities and quality against purchase orders, coordinating dock and staging activity, and maintaining accurate inventory records using WMS/ERP systems. This role ensures timely, safe, and compliant receipt of materials, drives discrepancy resolution with vendors and procurement, and supports overall warehouse efficiency and accuracy. Ideal candidates are detail-oriented, safety-focused, and experienced with barcode/RF scanning, inventory reconciliation, and cross-functional communication.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Receiving Clerk / Shipping & Receiving Associate
  • Warehouse Associate / Material Handler
  • Inventory Clerk

Advancement To:

  • Receiving Supervisor / Lead
  • Inventory Control Manager
  • Logistics or Warehouse Operations Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Shipping Coordinator
  • Procurement Assistant
  • Inventory Analyst / Data Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Receive and inspect incoming shipments against purchase orders and packing lists, verifying counts, part numbers, lot numbers, and condition to ensure accuracy and quality before acceptance into inventory.
  • Operate warehouse receiving procedures using a Warehouse Management System (WMS) and ERP (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite) to record receipts, update inventory, and close purchase orders.
  • Use RF barcode scanners and handheld devices to scan items, assign put-away locations, and confirm bin locations to maintain real-time inventory accuracy.
  • Coordinate dock scheduling and communicate arrival times with carriers, suppliers, and internal teams to optimize dock throughput and prevent congestion.
  • Unload trucks and trailers safely using forklifts, pallet jacks, and material handling equipment, complying with OSHA and company safety standards.
  • Perform detailed quality inspections for damage, correct labeling, and compliance with specifications; quarantine defective or nonconforming product and initiate return-to-vendor (RTV) or corrective actions.
  • Triage and escalate receiving discrepancies (overages, shortages, damaged goods, incorrect items) to purchasing, vendors, and warehouse management; document discrepancies with photos and vendor claim details.
  • Execute daily cycle counts and inventory reconciliation tasks for receiving locations, resolve variances, and support month-end and year-end inventory audits.
  • Coordinate with purchasing and vendor management to confirm advance shipping notices (ASNs), bills of lading, and EDI documents for expected receipts.
  • Prepare receipts and deliver documentation for accounts payable and procurement teams, ensuring receipts are posted accurately for timely invoice processing.
  • Label, stage, and put away inbound product to assigned storage locations according to FIFO/LIFO and special handling requirements (temperature control, hazardous materials).
  • Maintain accurate electronic and physical records of receiving transactions, including packing slips, damage reports, certificates of analysis (COAs), and customs documentation for international shipments.
  • Enforce and promote warehouse safety and compliance programs, including proper PPE usage, lockout/tagout, material handling best practices, and incident reporting.
  • Train and coach receiving associates and temporary staff on receiving procedures, equipment operation, and WMS transaction flows to ensure consistent process adherence.
  • Plan and prioritize inbound workload during high-volume periods, coordinating cross-dock, direct-to-line, and expedited receipts to meet production or customer deadlines.
  • Drive continuous improvement in receiving workflows by identifying inefficiencies, proposing process changes, and participating in Kaizen/Lean initiatives.
  • Manage special receiving projects such as returns processing, vendor-managed inventory (VMI) receipts, and new SKU onboarding to ensure accurate master data setup and storage.
  • Ensure compliance with hazardous materials handling regulations when receiving regulated items, prepare SDS documentation, and coordinate with EH&S teams.
  • Monitor supplier performance metrics related to on-time receiving, damage rates, and accuracy; provide feedback to procurement and vendor partners.
  • Collaborate with customer service and operations to expedite critical parts, replenish safety stock, and prioritize receipts to reduce production downtime or out-of-stocks.
  • Maintain staging and receiving areas in a clean, organized, and safe condition; implement visual controls and signage to improve receiving throughput and accuracy.
  • Reconcile electronic ASNs and carrier paperwork with physical receipts; investigate root causes of mismatches and implement preventive actions.
  • Support IT or continuous improvement teams with user acceptance testing (UAT) for WMS/ERP updates affecting receiving workflows and data integrity.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc reporting requests for inventory and receiving metrics, including receiving cycle time, dock-to-stock time, and variance trends.
  • Assist in creating standard operating procedures (SOPs), job aids, and training materials for receiving processes and WMS transactions.
  • Participate in cross-functional planning meetings with procurement, production, and shipping to align inbound flow with operational needs.
  • Help coordinate disposition and minor repairs for damaged inbound goods in collaboration with quality assurance.
  • Provide backup support for shipping functions during peak periods or workforce shortages, including cartonization and carrier paperwork preparation.
  • Support continuous improvement projects by gathering receiving process data, mapping workflows, and recommending technology or layout enhancements.
  • Facilitate communication between carriers, customs brokers, and internal stakeholders for international inbound shipments.
  • Assist in managing vendor returns and credit claim processes to ensure timely resolution and accounting reconciliation.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) operation and transactions (e.g., receiving putaway, ASN receipt, bin management).
  • Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems experience (SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics).
  • Proficiency with RF barcode scanning devices and handheld inventory scanners.
  • Strong inventory control techniques: cycle counting, reconciliation, FIFO/LIFO rotation, lot and serial number tracking.
  • Experience reading and reconciling purchase orders, packing slips, bills of lading, certificates of analysis, and customs paperwork.
  • Skilled in Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUP, PivotTables, data filtering) for reporting and inventory analysis.
  • Forklift and powered industrial truck operation and certification; safe operation of pallet jacks and material handling equipment.
  • Basic understanding of shipping and hazardous materials (HAZMAT) regulations and SDS documentation for inbound shipments.
  • Familiarity with EDI, ASNs, and vendor-managed inventory (VMI) processes.
  • Ability to use handheld mobile computers, tablets, and document capture tools for photo evidence and electronic records.
  • Experience with quality inspection protocols and non-conformance reporting.
  • Knowledge of OSHA safety standards and warehouse ergonomics.

Soft Skills

  • Strong attention to detail and accuracy when verifying counts and documenting discrepancies.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills for vendor coordination and cross-functional collaboration.
  • Problem-solving mindset with ability to investigate root causes and drive corrective actions.
  • Time management and prioritization skills to handle fluctuating inbound volumes and urgent receipts.
  • Team leadership and coaching capabilities to train and supervise receiving staff and temporary workers.
  • Customer service orientation to work with internal customers (production, purchasing, sales) to meet delivery expectations.
  • Adaptability and resilience in a fast-paced warehouse environment.
  • Analytical mindset for inventory variance trending and process improvement.
  • Strong organizational skills and ability to maintain clean, compliant workspaces.
  • Conflict resolution and negotiation skills when managing supplier disputes or carrier issues.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate degree or Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, or a related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Supply Chain Management
  • Logistics & Transportation
  • Business Administration
  • Operations Management
  • Industrial Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–5 years of hands-on receiving or warehouse operations experience.

Preferred: 3+ years as a Receiving Coordinator, Receiving Lead, Inventory Control Specialist, or related role with demonstrated experience using WMS/ERP systems, managing inbound logistics, and supervising hourly staff.

Certifications (preferred but not required): Forklift/PIT certification, OSHA 10-hour, APICS/CPIM or other supply chain credentials, and handheld scanner training.

Explore More Careers