Description
Directly supervise and coordinate cargo receiving, staging, loading, unloading, and dispatch operations, ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient movement of freight and performance of crews and equipment.
- • Enforce cargo handling, equipment, and facility safety and security rules.
- • Plan crew assignments, dock space, and equipment allocation to meet cargo schedules and throughput targets.
- • Confer with shippers, carriers, warehouse staff, and supervisors to exchange load information and resolve cargo issues.
- • Resolve crew issues and coordinate resources to remove operational bottlenecks.
- • Review manifests, bills of lading, and shipping or receiving notices to set load sequences, destinations, and priorities.
- • Recommend and implement improvements to cargo flow, equipment utilization, work methods, and service quality.
- • Maintain and verify records of cargo movement, documentation, crew time, equipment usage, and expenses.
- • Interpret shipping orders, tariffs, hazmat rules, and company policies for crews.
- • Train new hires on cargo handling procedures and assign on-the-job training to experienced staff.
- • Prepare and submit shift reports on cargo volumes, delays, incidents, and safety performance.
- • Participate in hiring, scheduling, performance evaluations, recognition, and disciplinary actions.
- • Requisition staffing, pallets, dunnage, PPE, equipment, and repair services.
- • Inspect cargo, containers, lifting gear, forklifts, and dock areas for condition, safety, and compliance.
- • Estimate staffing, equipment, space, and storage requirements based on cargo forecasts.
- • Dispatch crews and equipment in response to priority shipments, disruptions, or emergencies.
- • Schedule preventive maintenance and repairs for forklifts, pallet jacks, and related gear.
- • Verify cargo dimensions, weights, labels, and special handling or hazardous classifications.
- • Operate forklifts or other equipment as needed to support operations.
- • Monitor dock, yard, and gate operations for proper handling and efficient use of materials and equipment.
- • Assist crews with loading, unloading, staging, and securing cargo when needed.
- • Direct crews in moving, storing, staging, and loading or unloading cargo across modes.
- • Plan and maintain cargo handling and shipping or receiving schedules and cutoffs.
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Related Pathways
Supply Chain & Transportation
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
