This profile has been contextualized for shippers and receivers employed in food processing facilities. Shippers and receivers in food processing facilities ship and record the movement of product, supplies and equipment to and from an establishment. They must know their product , their suppliers, customers and transporters. They are employed in all sectors and sizes of companies. Their tasks and responsibilities may vary depending upon the size and structure of the company.

• document use.
• oral communication.
• job task planning and organizing.

The typical text reading tasks of shippers and receivers are at Complexity Levels 1 and 2. Their most complex text reading tasks are at Complexity Level 3.

Shippers and receivers:

• read notes from other workers and supervisors about work arrangements. (1)
• may read information from about new products on content, packaging and handling. (2)
• may refer to contracts between shipping and trucking companies to confirm pricing and terms of payment. (2)
• may refer to Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) to learn whether goods coming into the plant are hazardous and how they should be handled. (3)

The typical document reading tasks of shippers and receivers are at Complexity Levels 1 and 2. Their most complex document reading tasks are at Complexity Level 2.

Shippers and receivers:

• read picking slips to assemble orders. (1)
• read the date on product labels so they can rotate stock or monitor the ageing process. (1)
• read bills of lading to obtain information such as shipment contents, customer, transportation company, destination, reference numbers and billing instructions. (2)
• use rate charts to determine the price of shipping specific loads. (2)

Shippers and receivers:

• may fill in forms like the Raw Inspection Report.
• complete labels and bills of lading for shipments.
• complete internal transfer form for daily shipping to affiliated company.
• fill out logbooks for incoming products. These entries refer to temperature, date, product code number, carrier and supplier, and receiving time.

Shippers and receivers:

• read signs, labels or lists.
• complete forms by marking check boxes, recording numerical information or entering words, phrases, sentences or texts of a paragraph or more, and by signing or using their initials.
• read completed forms containing check boxes, numerical entries, phrases, addresses, sentences or texts of a paragraph or more.
• read tables, schedules or other table-like text.
• enter information on tables, schedules or other table-like text.

The typical writing tasks of shippers and receivers are at Complexity Level 1. Their most complex writing tasks are at Complexity Level 2.

Shippers and receivers:

• write short reminders to themselves and others about tasks they must do. (1)
• may fill out credit notes to customers to cover incorrect or damaged deliveries. (2)

The numeracy tasks of shippers and receivers involve:

• money math at Complexity Level 2.
• scheduling or budgeting and accounting math at Complexity Levels 1 and 2.
• measurement and calculation math at Complexity Level 2.

• numerical estimation at Complexity Levels 1 and 2 .

• may make up invoices for a cash-paying customer by computing total price and adding on the GST. In some facilities this function would be assigned to clerical staff or an accounting department. (money math) (2)
• may use a calendar to keep track of incoming product for ageing purposes.(scheduling or budgeting and accounting) (1)
• may calculate the costs of shipping by various carriers to decide who gives the best value, considering such factors as price and delivery time.(scheduling or budgeting and accounting) (2)
• calculate the weight of a skid by placing each of the boxes on a scale and totaling their weight, or multiplying the weight of one box by the number of boxes. (measurement and calculation) (2)
• estimate how much inventory is available to fill an order. (numerical estimation) (1)
• estimate the area and volume of an order to inform a carrier how much space it will take. (numerical estimation) (2)

a. Mathematical Foundations Used

b. How Calculations Are Performed

• in their head.
• using a pen and paper.
• using a calculator.

c. Measurement Instruments Used

• time - using a watch or calendar.
• weight or mass - using scales.
• thickness - using a micrometer.
• temperature - using a digital thermometer.

• the metric measurement system.
• the imperial measurement system.

The typical oral communication tasks of shippers and receivers are at Complexity Levels 1 and 2. Their most complex oral communication tasks are at Complexity Level 2.

Shippers and receivers:

• interact with transport drivers regarding the loading and unloading of goods. (1)
• exchange information with salespeople about orders and returns. (1)
• talk to transport drivers on a daily basis to find out about their estimated time of arrival. (1)
• exchange information with co-workers, managers and supervisors in staff meetings and small informal meetings to co-ordinate work assignments. (2)
• may speak to customers to find out what was wrong with an order and attempt to resolve and problems. (2)

Shippers and receivers communicate:

• in person.
• using the telephone.
• using a two-way radio or a cellular phone.
• using hand signals to direct loaders or truck drivers.

Background noise from machinery, or trucks can impede communication.

1. Problem Solving

The typical problem solving tasks of shippers and receivers are at Complexity Levels 1 and 2. Their most complex problem solving tasks are at Complexity Level 2.

Shippers and receivers:

• may have to help customers decide which product to use. (1)
• may deal with delayed or incorrect shipments or damaged goods. They discuss the details with drivers, customers, and salespeople to find out what the problem is and how to rectify it. (2)
• may have to deal with unhappy customers and attempt to solve their problems. If this is not easily done, the situation would be turned over to a supervisor. (2)
• may have to deal with delivery drivers who are consistently not doing their job properly. (2)

The typical decision making tasks of shippers and receivers are at Complexity Levels 1 to 3. Their most complex decision making tasks are at Complexity Level 3.

• may have to decide which transport company to use based on price and timing.(1)
• must make decisions about which orders take precedence. For example, if they are short on product, they must decide which order to fill first. They must take into account the customers' needs and possible reactions to delays. (2)
• must decide what to do if an order is short. They might wait until there is enough product to fill the order, or they might decide to send the order as is and issue a credit note, taking into account the possibility of customer complaints and lost contracts. (3)
• may have to decide whether or not to order more stock. If a certain product is running low, but there is no immediate need for it, they must make a decision about waiting and risk not having any on hand, or ordering and risk not selling it. Often they will look at past data to make a decision. (3)

Shippers and receivers plan and organize their job tasks at Complexity Level 3.

Shippers and receivers perform routine and repetitive tasks, but they make their own decisions on priorities and the order of tasks. They make adjustments for frequent interruptions and changing priorities caused by rush orders or production or shipping delays. A well-organized warehouse is essential to the smooth operation of a shipper-receiver's job. Planning must encompass special storage needs, space available and the time of year. Shipper-receivers must be aware of proper storage, which may include the requirement for cold storage or freezing of products or the proper placement of dangerous chemicals. They must also take into account accessibility and efficient movement. At special times of the year certain products may be in more abundance and extra storage space will be necessary. They must plan ahead for busy seasons.

Examples

Shippers and receivers:

• remember product codes.
• remember product placement in the warehouse.
• may remember how much of each product will fill a split load.
• may remember counts and weights of various products in order to estimate loads.
• remember which orders have priority.
• remember the pickup and shipping days and times of various transport companies.

5. Finding Information

Shippers and receivers tasks that involve finding information are at Complexity Level 1 and 2.

Shippers and receivers:

• use phone lists to find phone numbers for employees, transport companies and customers.(1)
• use inventory lists to check on inventory.(1)
• refer to salespeople or supervisor for information on products and orders.(1)
• refer to manuals to find WHMIS or MSDS information.(2)
• refer to shipping company directories for information on rates.(2)

Shippers and receivers work mainly independently, but must co-ordinate their work with that of others. They may work with a partner or helper when loading or unloading large orders.

Shippers and receivers:

• participate in formal discussions about work processes or product improvement.
• have opportunities to make suggestions on improving work processes.
• monitor the work performance of others.
• inform other workers or demonstrate to them how tasks are performed.
• orient new employees.
• select contractors and suppliers.
• assign routine tasks to other workers.

The computer use tasks of shippers and receivers are at Complexity Level 1 and 2.

• use a database. For example, they may use a database to access and record shipment information or inventory. (2)
• use computer-controlled equipment. For example, may operate scanning equipment such as hand-held barcode scanners. (1)
• may communicate with co-workers and staff at other plants using e-mail. (1)

For shippers and receivers, much of their learning is "on the job." Some shippers and receivers attend training seminars on workplace-related topics such as WHMIS, Transportation of Dangerous Goods, HACCP; forklift operation or workplace safety. They may also attend training in warehouse layout and management. Trends in the industry like product diversification, industry consolidation and growth in export markets mean that shippers and receivers must adjust to ongoing changes in what and where they ship and with whom they do business.

• as part of regular work activity.
• from co-workers.
• through training offered in the workplace.
• through reading or other forms of self-study:
  - at work.
  - on worker's own time.
  - using materials available through work.
  - using materials obtained through a professional association or union.
  - using materials obtained on worker's own initiative.
• through off-site training:
  - during working hours at no cost to the worker.
  - partially subsidized.

In addition to collecting information for this Essential Skills Profile, our interviews with job incumbents also asked about the following topics.

The shippers and receivers interviewed mentioned these physical aspects of their jobs.

Body Position

Shippers and receivers are on their feet most of the day. They stand, walk, bend and stoop to load and unload orders.

Limb Co-ordination

Shippers and receivers use multiple limb co-ordination to handle materials, use machinery and climb ladders.

Strength

Shippers and receivers use medium strength to lift boxes, carton and packages. They may handle loads weighing up to 25 kg.

Sensory

Shippers and receivers use spatial skills to visualize the space which goods will take when unloaded. They use visual, olfactory and tactile skills to inspect incoming product. They frequently move between places of very different temperature, i.e. the freezer to the loading dock.

The shippers and receivers interviewed felt that shippers and receivers should have good communication skills to obtain the co-operation of truck drivers, suppliers and co-workers. They may have to deal with many different cultures and language groups. They should be well organized, conscientious and aware of the need to pay attention to detail. They must be reliable. If they didn't show up for work there would be a significant cost to the company.

If the trend towards product diversification and consolidation of companies continues, shippers and receivers may find themselves shipping a greater variety of products and working as part of a wider distribution network. These changes, plus a growing demand for customer service excellence and "just in time delivery" will drive a need for accurate and immediate information transfer. Strong communication skills and computer skills will be needed to meet this demand. As well, enhanced skills in reading and use of documents will result from increasing government regulation and quality assurance systems like HACCP or ISO. As shippers and receivers take on added responsibilities, they will require further problem-solving and decision-making skills.

Copyright is held by the Alberta Food Processors Association.

For more information on Finding/Training Workers: Email training@afpa.com or contact the AFPA Team.

Index to Essential Skills Profiles
Find and Train Workers
AFPA Home Page