Shipping Coordinator: What is the cost of hiring?

What is a shipping coordinator?

A shipping coordinator is a logistics and supply chain professional responsible for managing the movement of goods from one place to another. Their main role is to ensure shipments are prepared, scheduled, tracked and delivered on time while meeting cost, quality and compliance requirements.

Why hire a shipping coordinator?

Shipping coordinators work in a variety of settings, including transporting raw materials or sending customers’ products. A company hires a shipping coordinator to enhance reliability, reduce costs, ensure compliance and maintain customer satisfaction.

Contributions of a great shipping coordinator:

• organizing shipments: arranging pickups and deliveries with carriers, freight forwarders or courier services
• documentation: preparing shipping paperwork, such as bills of lading, invoices, customs forms and tracking reports
• inventory & order management: coordinating with warehouse staff to make sure the right products are packed and ready for shipment
• tracking & problem solving: monitoring shipments, handling delays, damages or lost packages and communicating updates to customers or internal teams
• compliance: ensuring shipments meet legal, customs and safety regulations (especially important for international shipping)
• communication: acting as a point of contact between suppliers, carriers, warehouse staff and customers

Defining your hiring needs for a shipping coordinator?

A company might hire a shipping coordinator because this role directly supports smooth, reliable and cost-effective movement of goods. For example, if your company sells products online and there are a lot of complaints from customers about shipping delays or packages not showing up, you might want to hire a shipping coordinator. Depending on the size of your business and shipping needs, you might be able to hire a part-time shipping coordinator. If your business relies on shipping products, however, you will need a full-time shipping coordinator.

What are the types of shipping coordinator?

Some of the duties and responsibilities of a shipping coordinator can also be found in the following positions:

• Shipping clerk: This is an entry-level position in which the employee is in charge of the day-to-day packing and paperwork for shipments.
• Logistics coordinator: Responsibilities are greater than those of a shipping coordinator, as they cover the bigger picture of the supply chain, including shipping, warehousing and transportation.
• Warehouse associate/worker: An employee who receives, stores, picks, packs and ships goods. They maintain inventory accuracy, operate warehouse equipment and ensure a clean, safe work environment.

These two other positions can be thought of when hiring a shipping coordinator, as you will want to determine the exact duties you need the shipping coordinator to perform. For example, if your business is on the smaller side, you might only need a shipping clerk rather than someone to coordinate all aspects of shipments. Knowing the exact duties you need your shipping coordinator to do can also help you when writing a job description.

When writing your shipping coordinator job description, consider including some or all of the following keywords to improve the visibility of your job posting. These are the most popular search terms leading to clicks on shipping coordinator jobs, according to Indeed data:

• warehouse
• logistics coordinator
• logistics
• warehouse associate
• warehouse worker
• supply chain
• shipping coordinator
• dispatcher
• summer student

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Where to find a shipping coordinator?

To find the right shipping coordinator for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

• Industry-specific channels: Consult logistics associations & trade groups, such as CSCMP (Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals), Supply Chain Canada or local transport associations.
• Freight & logistics conferences or trade shows: Attendees are usually working professionals with relevant skills.
• Educational & training institutions: Look for community colleges or technical schools that offer supply chain, logistics or transportation management programs. Partner with co-op programs or internships to access upcoming talent.
• Networking & referrals: Ask current employees, drivers or warehouse staff for referrals (they often know peers in logistics). Local chambers of commerce or business associations are also a great place to find shipping coordinators.
• On-the-ground sources: Search warehouses, ports, freight forwarders and trucking companies. People in related roles may be open to new opportunities. Also, check community bulletin boards near industrial parks or shipping hubs.

Post your job online. Try posting your shipping coordinator job on Indeed to find and attract quality shipping coordinator candidates.

Skills to look for in a shipping coordinator

A successful shipping coordinator candidate will typically have the following skills and competencies, which may be gained through a variety of experiences, training or education:

• strong organizational and multitasking abilities
• knowledge of shipping software, ERP systems and tracking tools
• understanding of logistics, customs regulations and freight rates
• problem-solving and communication skills
• attention to detail for documentation and compliance

Writing a job description for a shipping coordinator

Now that you know the key skills, salary expectations, popular job-seeker search terms and hiring insights for a shipping coordinator, you’re ready to write a job description.

A shipping coordinator job description typically includes a compelling summary of the role, a detailed list of duties and responsibilities and the required and preferred skills for the position. You may also want to include information about your company culture, benefits and perks to attract candidates to your open role.

Ready to get started? See our full guide for writing a shipping coordinator job description.

Interviewing shipping coordinator candidates

Strong candidates for shipping coordinator positions will be confident answering questions regarding:

• experience with shipping software and tracking tools
• knowledge of different shipment documentation
• experience solving problems that arise if shipments are late/lost
• knowledge of inventory and order management

Need help coming up with interview questions? See our list of interview questions for examples (with sample answers).