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Shipping Coordinator Job Description: Top Duties and Requirements

A Shipping Coordinator, or Head Shipping Clerk, is a supervisor that co-ordinates shipping for an organization. They oversee a team of Shipping Clerks and manage all aspects of the shipping process for an organization. Their primary duties include preparing quotes and invoices, overseeing shipping, responding to complaints or questions from clerks and customers, and providing shipping instructions and information.

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Shipping Coordinator duties and responsibilities

A Shipping Coordinator has a wide range of duties and responsibilities, including administrative and financial responsibilities, and must oversee their team. Some main duties and responsibilities include the following:

  • Create work schedules and procedures for their team
  • Resolve questions or concerns from employees and customers
  • Train new staff on their duties and company policies
  • Order necessary supplies and equipment
  • Prepare and send out invoices to customers
  • Discuss and negotiate rates with new or existing suppliers
  • Issue detailed shipping instructions to their team
  • Follow up on shipments to ensure they were delivered correctly
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What does a Shipping Coordinator do?

A Shipping Coordinator is an important job, as they ensure all shipping is running smoothly. They do this by issuing detailed shipping instructions to their crew and then tracking shipments to ensure they arrive at their destination on time.

A Shipping Coordinator also has financial responsibilities as they must negotiate rates with suppliers, prepare quotes for customers, and issue invoices with accurate shipping costs. Similarly, as a Shipping Coordinator is a supervisor, they are also responsible for handling any complaints or questions from their team or customers, and must delegate daily assignments to their Shipping Clerks.

Shipping Coordinator skills and qualifications

A successful Shipping Coordinator will have various prerequisite skills and qualifications needed for their duties, such as the following:

  • Ability to manage a team
  • Strong interpersonal skills to work efficiently as a team and interact with customers and suppliers
  • Knowledge of taking inventory and ordering materials
  • Attention to detail to analyze data and prepare reports
  • Strong negotiation skills to work with suppliers
  • Ability to multi-task
  • Strong independent decision-making skills

Shipping Coordinator experience requirements

Most Shipping Coordinator jobs require two to three years experience in a related position. Prior experience in a management or Team Leader role is an asset, as a Shipping Coordinator will be responsible for a team of Shipping Clerks. Ideal candidates should have several years of experience as a Shipping Clerk or similar to demonstrate their understanding of shipping processes and the day-to-day jobs required at a shipping facility.

Shipping Coordinator education and training requirements

Shipping Coordinator jobs usually require some post-secondary education in a related discipline, such as a certificate or degree in Business Administration or Logistics. You may accept candidates that have relevant work experience in place of post-secondary education.

Shipping Coordinator salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Shipping Coordinator in Canada is $45,355 per year. This can vary depending on the location of the job, the size of the company, and the candidate’s experience.

Job description samples for similar positions

As a Shipping Coordinator’s position varies depending on the company, this job description sample may not be exactly what you’re looking for, but there are many other job description samples available, including:

Shipping Coordinator job description FAQs

What is the difference between a Shipping Coordinator and a Shipping Clerk?

A Shipping Coordinator is a supervisor that oversees a team of Shipping Clerks. Shipping Clerks will handle the shipping of goods and keep accurate records of relevant information. They will report to the Shipping Coordinator and regularly inform them with updates and reports on current shipping. The Shipping Coordinator will then oversee each Shipping Clerk’s work and address any questions or concerns they may have.

What qualities make a good Shipping Coordinator?

A good Shipping Coordinator should be able to make decisions confidently and manage potentially complex shipping arrangements. They should also be a communicative and effective leader. Organization and communication are two of the most important qualities of a Shipping Coordinator. A Shipping Coordinator also needs to be responsible to ensure all packages make it to their final destination. They must also have excellent interpersonal skills, as they may need to liaise with other logistics and shipping professionals outside of their team.

What are the day-to-day duties of a Shipping Coordinator?

The day-to-day activities of a Shipping Coordinator vary depending on the company, but a Shipping Coordinator almost always checks in with their Shipping Clerks at the start of their workday to see if they have any problems or concerns to address. If not, a Shipping Coordinator should then communicate with their suppliers and customers to ensure everything is in order before starting on their own tasks. Tasks for the day range from doing inventory, preparing invoices, tracking goods, and issuing shipping instructions.

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