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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Warehouse Shipping Specialist

💰 $32,000 - $55,000

LogisticsWarehouseShippingSupply Chain

🎯 Role Definition

The Warehouse Shipping Specialist is responsible for accurate, timely outbound fulfillment and carrier coordination in a high-volume warehouse environment. This role ensures orders are picked, packed, labeled, documented, and loaded to meet customer SLAs and internal KPIs (OTIF, accuracy, cycle times). The ideal candidate combines hands-on warehouse experience (forklift operation, RF scanning, WMS use) with strong safety, documentation, and carrier-handling skills to support efficient logistics and excellent customer service.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Material Handler / Warehouse Associate
  • Forklift Operator / Dock Worker
  • Shipping Clerk / Order Fulfillment Associate

Advancement To:

  • Shipping Supervisor / Lead
  • Logistics Coordinator / Transportation Planner
  • Inventory Control Supervisor
  • Warehouse Operations Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Receiving Specialist
  • Inventory Control Specialist
  • Returns / Reverse Logistics Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Receive, review, and prioritize daily pick lists and shipping manifests from the Warehouse Management System (WMS) to assemble accurate outbound loads and maintain order fulfillment cycle times.
  • Pick, pack and prepare customer orders following packing standards and dimensional weight rules, ensuring correct item, quantity, and pack integrity before labeling and staging for shipment.
  • Create and verify shipping documentation (bills of lading, commercial invoices, packing lists, export paperwork) and ensure all outbound documentation is complete and compliant with company and regulatory requirements.
  • Operate forklifts, pallet jacks, and material handling equipment safely and efficiently to stage, load and secure pallets and crates for LTL, TL, parcel and courier shipments.
  • Use RF scanners and barcode systems to scan picks, update inventory, and close orders in the WMS/ERP, reconciling discrepancies immediately to maintain inventory accuracy.
  • Confirm carrier pickups and schedule freight appointments with common carriers (LTL, TL, parcel) and 3PLs; provide accurate carrier instructions and manage dock slot assignments.
  • Inspect outgoing freight for correct labeling, packaging integrity, pallet stabilization, and compliance with carrier weight and dimension requirements to reduce damage and claims.
  • Prepare and load shipments onto trucks using proper load sequencing and weight distribution best practices to maximize safety and minimize transport damage.
  • Monitor and execute carrier manifests and shipment tracking, proactively communicating delays or exceptions to customer service and operations leadership to protect SLAs.
  • Execute hazardous materials (HazMat) packaging and labeling procedures when required, following 49 CFR, IATA or IMDG regulations and company hazmat policies.
  • Reconcile packing list and invoice discrepancies, research root causes for mis-picks or short shipments, and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
  • Maintain and report daily KPI metrics for shipping accuracy, on-time shipment, dock productivity, and carrier performance to Warehouse Management and Continuous Improvement teams.
  • Assist in the negotiation and administration of carrier contracts and freight terms by providing shipment volume data, carrier performance trends, and cost-driver insights.
  • Back up receiving or inventory control tasks during peak periods, including cycle counts, put-away coordination, and returns processing (RMA) as required to maintain throughput.
  • Train, mentor, and coach new shipping associates on WMS procedures, safety protocols, pallet building, packing quality and carrier-specific requirements to ensure consistent performance.
  • Implement continuous improvement initiatives in packing methods, cartonization, and packaging material usage to reduce freight costs, damage claims and packaging waste.
  • Conduct routine maintenance and safety checks of dock and handling equipment (dock levelers, conveyors, pallet jacks) and escalate repairs to maintenance teams to avoid downtime.
  • Coordinate cross-functional communication between warehouse operations, customer service, procurement and transportation to resolve order exceptions and expedite critical shipments.
  • Perform pre-shipment audits of customer orders for accuracy, special handling instructions, kitting, serialization and temperature-controlled requirements to safeguard compliance.
  • Support seasonal peak planning and ad-hoc surge operations by adjusting staffing, staging strategies and packing stations to meet volume increases while preserving accuracy and safety.
  • Manage and process customer returns and reverse logistics flow for disposition decisions, restocking, and credit issuance in coordination with Inventory Control and Customer Service teams.
  • Participate in safety, compliance and quality audits, helping document procedures, corrective actions and follow-through to maintain OSHA and internal audit readiness.
  • Maintain a clean, safe and organized shipping area, ensuring fire exits, aisles and dock areas are clear, materials are stored safely and packaging supplies are replenished.

Secondary Functions

  • Support cross-functional projects including WMS/ERP upgrades, carrier portal integrations, or automation pilot programs by providing operational requirements and testing feedback.
  • Assist in ad-hoc inventory investigations, root-cause analysis and reconciliation tasks for shrink, mis-shipments, or supplier discrepancies.
  • Participate in process documentation updates, SOP creation and peer training materials to standardize best practices across shifts and locations.
  • Help coordinate special shipments such as white-glove deliveries, fragile or oversized loads, and international export shipments requiring additional documentation and carrier coordination.
  • Serve as an on-shift point of contact for escalations related to outbound throughput, forklift availability, and loading dock conflicts.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proficiency with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and ERP systems (examples: Manhattan/WMS, Oracle WMS, SAP EWM, Infor, Blue Yonder) for order selection, staging and shipment closeout.
  • Hands-on experience with RF barcode scanners, mobile devices, and handheld computers for order scanning and cycle counts.
  • Forklift and powered industrial truck operation and certification (sit-down, stand-up, reach, order picker), with demonstrated safe operating history.
  • Knowledge of shipping documentation: bills of lading (BOL), packing lists, commercial invoices, pallet manifests and export/import paperwork.
  • Familiarity with carrier systems and booking platforms (UPS/FedEx/LTL/FTL portals), including scheduling pickups and pulling tracking manifests.
  • Understanding of dimensional weight (DIM) calculation, pallet optimization and cartonization best practices to control freight spend.
  • Basic math, weight/dimension calculations and experience with scales and dimensioning equipment.
  • Hazardous materials (HazMat) shipping knowledge and compliance with DOT/IATA/IMDG regulations when applicable.
  • Experience with inventory control techniques, cycle counting, discrepancy reconciliation and basic root-cause analysis.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUPs, pivot tables, basic formulas) for reporting and KPI tracking.
  • Familiarity with OSHA safety standards, ergonomic handling practices and warehouse safety protocols.
  • Experience executing quality inspections for outbound shipments and processing damage claims or carrier claims documentation.

Soft Skills

  • Strong attention to detail and commitment to shipping accuracy, preventing costly mis-shipments and returns.
  • Time management and prioritization skills to meet tight shipping windows and fluctuating daily volumes.
  • Clear verbal and written communication skills for coordinating with carriers, customer service and cross-functional teams.
  • Problem-solving orientation and ability to escalate and resolve shipping exceptions quickly and calmly.
  • Team player mindset with experience working across shifts and coordinating with leads/supervisors.
  • Adaptability and resilience in fast-paced, deadline-driven warehouse environments and seasonal peaks.
  • Customer-focused attitude to understand the impact of shipping performance on downstream customer satisfaction.
  • Coaching and training ability to onboard new hires and improve team performance.
  • Dependability and punctuality, including willingness to work early mornings, nights or overtime as operationally required.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED

Preferred Education:

  • Associate degree or certificate in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, or related field
  • Forklift certification and/or HazMat training certificates preferred

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Logistics and Supply Chain Management
  • Operations Management / Industrial Technology
  • Business Administration with concentration in Supply Chain
  • Transportation and Distribution

Experience Requirements

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

Preferred: 2–4 years of outbound shipping experience in a distribution center environment with demonstrated WMS usage, forklift certification, and experience coordinating carriers and documentation for parcel, LTL and TL shipments.

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