1. Unique and interesting challenges
2. Great opportunities for career path advancement
3. Lots of interaction with others
4. Lots of responsibility and autonomy
5. Not an office job

People in dock and warehouse operations play a key role in the movement of goods since they represent the physical link that ensures that the freight is accurately and efficiently loaded and unloaded on and off trucks. The required skills can be used in a “cross-dock” facility or equally as well in a full warehousing environment. In “cross-docking”, goods are transferred between local pick-up and delivery trucks and line haul vehicles to enhance productivity and efficiency. Warehousing continues to play an increasingly important role in inventory management and customer service.

People in dock and warehouse operations must be able to accurately follow instructions and like to exert themselves physically while at work. On-the-job experience often means that a start loading and unloading freight can progressively lead to positions of more responsibility. Click on one of the job catagories above for more information on each role.

Training and Education:On-the-job training is typical for dock and warehouse operations. Often, freight handlers will have to be trained in the safe handling of dangerous goods, in accordance with federal and provincial laws. In addition, training in the operation of fork-lift vehicles is often a requirement. In the more progressive positions such as warehouse manager, education in inventory management and control is often an asset. As with most positions in the trucking industry, solid communication skills are essential.

Transportation of Dangerous Goods Training Courses Lift Truck Operator Courses

Dock Worker

The position of dock worker is often viewed as an entry level position to other jobs in the trucking industry including more progressive positions in dock and warehouse operations, as well as driving jobs. These men and women are responsible for ensuring that freight is loaded onto trucks and trailers in accordance with company as well as federal and provincial regulations. They load and unload trailers, and move freight, using material handling equipment such as forklifts, dollies or carts, or manually handle freight with or without assistance.

Dock workers gain an in-depth knowledge of freight handling procedures and are exposed to a number of other aspects of the industry. This multi-faceted position includes efficiently sorting, handling, and loading freight into trailers in accordance with verbal and written requirements, without impeding the safety of the vehicle or increasing the chances of the freight being damaged while in transit.

Because loading docks and warehouses can be busy throughout the day and night, the people who work there must have the ability to work various shifts and days of the week. Dock workers generally work 8-hour shifts, though longer shifts are also common in trucking. In many cases dock operations work around the clock, and working evening or "graveyard" shifts may be required.

Shunt Driver

Many operations - both at trucking as well as customers' facilities - require the skills of a shunt driver. These drivers make sure that docks always have trailers to load goods on, or unload goods from. Shunt drivers typically locate the required trailers in the yard, and then "shunts" them to the appropriate dock. Once the dock personnel are finished with the trailer, the shunt driver "shunts" the trailer back to an appropriate location in the yard, ensuring that the corresponding paperwork accompanies the trailer. Since the shunt driver may drive exclusively on private property, he/she may not even need a commercial driver's license, though company policy may dictate that the driver must hold the appropriate class of licence. For some drivers, this is the ideal place to gain the necessary equipment handling experience that is necessary in being a fully qualified and competent commercial driver.

Forklift/Tow Motor Operator

Fork lift drivers are an essential component to the dock/warehouse environment as a great deal of freight that moves in trucks is shipped on pallets. Responsibilities include loading and unloading trailers, as well as the relocation of freight to various areas of the warehouse. Fork lift drivers work in co-operation with dock workers and the dock supervisor to effectively and efficiently move freight.

Fork lift operators generally work 8-hour shifts, though longer shifts are also common in the trucking industry. In organizations that work around the clock, fork lift drivers work evening or "graveyard" shifts to ensure that freight is loaded on trucks so they can meet early morning delivery times. Other responsibilities may include the inspection of equipment and minor repairs.

Dock Supervisor

This position requires similar skills and knowledge as those of a dock worker, but also assumes more responsibility for the safe and efficient operations of the dock. Responsibilities may include the operational and quality control aspects of the dock for a specified shift. This position supervises and coordinates activities of workers engaged in loading and unloading trucks and trailers, as well as moving and storing materials or products. The supervisor may assigns job tasks to workers according to loading and unloading schedules and observes loading of trucks to ensure conformance to loading protocols to prevent shifting or damage to materials or products during transit. It is also the responsibility of the supervisor to verify shipments against work orders or bills of lading.

The supervisors reports to the dock manager, and works in co-operation with other supervisors to ensure effective shift operation and transition. Supervisors may also train new employees in their job duties and develop methods to improve employee performance.

Supervisors are also responsible for providing a clean, safe environment for all personnel while ensuring that all work is performed according to company-approved procedures and health and safety rules.

Warehouse Manager

This position requires similar skills and knowledge as those of a dock worker, but also assumes more responsibility for the safe and efficient operations of the dock. Responsibilities may include the operational and quality control aspects of the dock for a specified shift. This position supervises and coordinates activities of workers engaged in loading and unloading trucks and trailers, as well as moving and storing materials or products. The supervisor may assigns job tasks to workers according to loading and unloading schedules and observes loading of trucks to ensure conformance to loading protocols to prevent shifting or damage to materials or products during transit. It is also the responsibility of the supervisor to verify shipments against work orders or bills of lading.

The supervisors reports to the dock manager, and works in co-operation with other supervisors to ensure effective shift operation and transition. Supervisors may also train new employees in their job duties and develop methods to improve employee performance.

Supervisors are also responsible for providing a clean, safe environment for all personnel while ensuring that all work is performed according to company-approved procedures and health and safety rules.

Billing Administrator

The billing function is a critical activity to the overall success of the organization. Pricing for transportation services can be a very complex process with many variables to take into consideration such as weight and density of the load, type of equipment required, special handling considerations, delivery schedules and point of origin and destination. It is vitally important that billing is carried out in a timely and accurate manner to avoid payment delays and queries. Many successful people in the road transportation industry have started their careers as part-time billing administrators or clerks while in high school, college or university. Attention to detail, accuracy and computer skills is essential attributes for this position.

Sales

Every business environment must include a strategy for generating new sales, as well as for maintaining the existing client base. In that regard, trucking is no different. However, unlike selling cars or dishwashers, the trucking industry does not sell a tangible product. There is nothing to touch or feel. In the trucking industry, the sales force can only sell a service. The service, of course, is the service of moving a shipping companies freight - be it cars, car parts, dishwashers, cans of food, or computer equipment - from one point to another. The sales staff must be fully conversant with the company's equipment, routes, rate structure, service options, and limitations. Sales personnel are required to generate new business, and to ensure that the clients' requirements are met.

8. Marketing

Again, like the sales component, the marketing function offers unique challenges in the trucking industry. Marketing a service is very different from marketing a product. People in the marketing function of a trucking company are faced with the complex challenge of differentiating the services of his or her trucking company from that of the competitors. People in the marketing function have to be innovative, creative, and fully understand the range of services being offered by the company, as well as what additional services can be introduced to strengthen the company's market position.

9. Human Resources

While the Human Resources or HR function is one of those functions that is utilized by virtually all industries, again, trucking offers it own set of unique challenges. The HR function includes virtually anything that involves human capital - from ensuring compliance with the appropriate labour, health & safety, and highway safety laws, to creating an appealing place to work. The HR function is responsible for the hiring function which includes recruiting, screening and interviewing, hiring and orientating new hires. It is also responsible for developing and enforcing personnel related policies and procedures. Some HR functions that are specific to the trucking industry include contracting with owner-operator drivers, developing and implementing performance-based incentive programs and training programs, as well as administering the company's drug and alcohol testing program for drivers (if it has one). While many of the responsibilities are associated with the driving function, a full one-quarter to one-third of positions in a trucking company are non-driving.