Learn about the basics of operations management by taking a class online or at your school. Discover how this skill can benefit a variety of careers. 

Take an operations management class. 

Get an inside look (literally) at the world of shipping and receiving as a camera records the whole shipping process from inside a package. Does having a hand in this process interest you?

Explore how items from all over the world get to you.

Dive into this overview of a popular organizational philosophy and get started on your own system to up your productivity and start getting things done!

Practice getting organized!

Watch a short video to learn more about what it's like working in shipping and receiving. Is this a career you're interested in?

Find out what it's like to work in shipping and receiving.

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.

The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping

Weigh, measure, and check materials, supplies, and equipment for the purpose of keeping relevant records. Duties are primarily clerical by nature. Includes workers who collect and keep record of samples of products or materials.

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

Conventional

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Realistic

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

Investigative

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

Enterprising

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

Artistic

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

Social

Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed

Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Actively looking for ways to help people.

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Office and Administrative Support Occupations

Material Recording, Scheduling, Dispatching, and Distributing Workers

Document quantity, quality, type, weight, test result data, and value of materials or products to maintain shipping, receiving, and production records and files.

Weigh or measure materials, equipment, or products to maintain relevant records, using volume meters, scales, rules, or calipers.

Collect or prepare measurement, weight, or identification labels and attach them to products.

Examine products or materials, parts, subassemblies, and packaging for damage, defects, or shortages, using specification sheets, gauges, and standards charts.

Signal or instruct other workers to weigh, move, or check products.

Collect product samples and prepare them for laboratory analysis or testing.

Maintain, monitor, and clean work areas, such as recycling collection sites, drop boxes, counters and windows, and areas around scale houses.

Compare product labels, tags, or tickets, shipping manifests, purchase orders, and bills of lading to verify accuracy of shipment contents, quality specifications, or weights.

Remove from stock products or loads not meeting quality standards, and notify supervisors or appropriate departments of discrepancies or shortages.

Inspect products and examination records to determine the number of defects per worker and the reasons for examiners' rejections.

Infor XA

NetSuite ERP

Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne

SAP software

Microsoft PowerPoint

Email software

IBM Notes

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Access

Oracle Database

Materials resource planning MRP software

Warehouse management system WMS

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Office software

Microsoft Word

Inventory management systems

Inventory software

Root cause analysis software

High lifts

Order selectors

Monorail scales

Railway track scales

Milk meters

Vehicle tank meters

Computer terminals

Two-way radios

Radio frequency RF scanners

Belt conveyor scales

Mass flow meters

Beam scales

Hopper scales

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?

Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

Every day

How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

Extremely important

Important

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

Constant contact with others

Contact with others most of the time

How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?

Once a week or more but not every day

How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

Continually or almost continually

More than half the time

Less than half the time

How important are continuous, repetitive, physical activities (like key entry) or mental activities (like checking entries in a ledger) to performing this job?

Very important

How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?

Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

Never

How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?

Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable

Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping

Overview

Career

What Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping Do

Other Job Titles Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping

Overview

Career

What Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping Do

Other Job Titles Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Education

Level of Education Attained by Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping

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