What does a Distribution Clerk do?
A distribution clerk is in charge of processing and managing products for shipments and deliveries, ensuring efficiency and timeliness. They work at warehouse facilities responsible for monitoring shipments, participating in loading and unloading packages, and inspecting them to ensure their quality and quantity. They also process and pack items according to protocols, review documentation, keep records of transactions, and maintain work areas' cleanliness. Moreover, a distribution clerk may also perform clerical tasks such as managing calls and correspondence, arranging schedules, and preparing documents.
Distribution clerk responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real distribution clerk resumes:
- Manage all aspects of verifying incoming items and outgoing customer material release orders (MRO )
- Enter time card information in the payroll system occasionally.
- Process and pack orders using wet and dry ice for FedEx shipping.
- Research U.P.S., FedEx, mail inquiries, and distribute and process mail.
- Receive numerous awards and accolades from customers and the USPS over the years.
- Deliver medications in company car, vehicle maintenance, faxing, filing, ordering, and HIPAA certify.
- Analyze and forward misdirected mail according to USPS regulations.
- Maintain clear and open communication with customers regarding shipping logistics to ensure product deliver according to customer's expectations.
- Update Meditech files as needed.
- Receive and stock all supplies that enter hospital, excluding pharmaceuticals, scan and track appropriately using Meditech software.
- Deliver groceries to customers homes/ businesses.
Distribution clerk skills and personality traits
We calculated that 16% of Distribution Clerks are proficient in Data Entry, Shipping Receiving, and Patients. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Customer-service skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Distribution Clerks that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Data Entry, 16%
Processed data entry, organized store orders, supported warehouse supervisors.
- Shipping Receiving, 12%
Mill operator making paint out of batch ticket / Filling line operator/shipping receiving order pulling forklift driver (5 years)
- Patients, 12%
Prioritized materials management tasks based on patients' needs Communicated and problem solved with health professionals
- Inventory Control, 7%
Involved in all aspects of inventory control and management including semi-annual manual reconciliation of stock.
- Customer Support, 5%
Performed distribution and a variety of sales and customer support services for products.
- Purchase Orders, 4%
Prepared electronic mail correspondence for publisher representatives on a daily basis regarding purchase orders and shipment dates.
Common skills that a distribution clerk uses to do their job include "data entry," "shipping receiving," and "patients." You can find details on the most important distribution clerk responsibilities below.
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a distribution clerk to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what distribution clerks do because "material recording clerks are frequently in contact with suppliers, vendors, or managers and need to convey their company’s needs effectively." Additionally, a distribution clerk resume shows how distribution clerks use communication skills: "team work and communication was frequently required. "
Customer-service skills. Another essential skill to perform distribution clerk duties is customer-service skills. Distribution clerks responsibilities require that "material recording clerks may interact with customers in order to respond to problems or complaints." Distribution clerks also use customer-service skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "provided extensive customer support, including taking phone and faxed orders of optical frames. "
Detail oriented. This is an important skill for distribution clerks to perform their duties. For an example of how distribution clerk responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "material and product inspecting clerks must pay attention to detail when checking items for defects, some of which are small and difficult to spot." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a distribution clerk: "input detailed information in the system that was connected to the other warehouse computer system. ".
Math skills. A big part of what distribution clerks do relies on "math skills." You can see how essential it is to distribution clerk responsibilities because "material recording clerks may need to calculate shipping costs or take measurements." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical distribution clerk tasks: "required ability of 10 key by touch, inventory control measures, excellent math skills and use of proprietary computer software. "
The three companies that hire the most distribution clerks are:
- HHoffmaster35 distribution clerks jobs
- UUs Army Reserves22 distribution clerks jobs
- RRegal Beloit7 distribution clerks jobs
Choose from 10+ customizable distribution clerk resume templates
Build a professional distribution clerk resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your distribution clerk resume.
Compare different distribution clerks
Distribution clerk vs. Warehouse receiving
The duties of a warehouse receiving worker include interacting with delivery couriers, such as DHL and FedEx/UPS, while generally simplifying the customer service delivery process. They are expected to closely inspect all goods and products for damages, verify the quantities of products ordered, and enter these into inventory using RF or WMS system. The responsibility of determining the designated method of shipment of products may also fall to them.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, distribution clerk responsibilities require skills like "data entry," "patients," "customer support," and "pallet jack." Meanwhile a typical warehouse receiving has skills in areas such as "pallets," "warehouse receiver," "load trucks," and "warehouse environment." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Warehouse receivings tend to make the most money working in the transportation industry, where they earn an average salary of $33,909. In contrast, distribution clerks make the biggest average salary, $34,032, in the health care industry.warehouse receivings tend to reach similar levels of education than distribution clerks. In fact, warehouse receivings are 1.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Distribution clerk vs. Shipper receiver
A shipper receiver is responsible for processing and packaging items for shipment and receiving incoming merchandise for warehouse storage. Shipper receivers assist in loading and unloading items from the distribution trucks, checking inventory receipts, inspecting the quality and quantity of the items, preparing shipping documents, and ensuring the cleanliness and orderliness of storage areas. They also update inventory records on the warehouse's database, administering orders and payments, and responding to the customer's inquiries and concerns. A shipper receiver should have a working knowledge of the mechanical industry, especially on operating warehouse tools and equipment safely and efficiently.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, distribution clerk responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "data entry," "patients," "customer support," and "pallet jack." Meanwhile, a shipper receiver has duties that require skills in areas such as "pallets," "basic math," "electric pallet jack," and "load trucks." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Shipper receivers earn a higher average salary than distribution clerks. But shipper receivers earn the highest pay in the construction industry, with an average salary of $37,076. Additionally, distribution clerks earn the highest salaries in the health care with average pay of $34,032 annually.In general, shipper receivers achieve similar levels of education than distribution clerks. They're 1.3% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Distribution clerk vs. Warehouse clerk
A warehouse clerk is an employee responsible for the process of ordered goods while keeping the warehouse well-organized and clean. Warehouse clerks accept company products' deliveries, inspect them for any damages, and store them accordingly in the warehouse. Companies require their warehouse clerks to have many skills, such as an operating forklift or other machinery to transport large and heavy goods. Warehouse clerks must also possess abilities like knowledge in Warehouse Management Software programs and detailed-oriented capable of noticing small errors in orders.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, distribution clerks are more likely to have skills like "inventory control," "customer support," "pallet jack," and "forklift training." But a warehouse clerk is more likely to have skills like "work ethic," "strong work ethic," "logistics," and "customer service."
Warehouse clerks earn the best pay in the transportation industry, where they command an average salary of $32,595. Distribution clerks earn the highest pay from the health care industry, with an average salary of $34,032.warehouse clerks typically earn similar educational levels compared to distribution clerks. Specifically, they're 0.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Distribution clerk vs. Warehouse shipping clerk
Types of distribution clerk
Updated January 8, 2025
