Stock Clerk
A stock clerk, also referred to as a warehouse clerk or order filler, plays a vital role in inventory management across various industries, including retail and manufacturing. Their primary responsibilities include receiving shipments, unpacking goods, stocking shelves, and fulfilling customer orders, all while maintaining accurate records of inventory levels. Stock clerks typically work in stores, warehouses, and stockrooms, often in physically demanding roles that require strength, stamina, and organizational skills. The position usually necessitates a high school diploma or equivalent, and training on the job can vary from one to six months.
While the median earnings for stock clerks are around $44,210 annually, the job market is projected to decline by about 4%, indicating a competitive landscape. Work hours generally cover forty-hour weeks, with the potential for evening and weekend shifts during busy periods. Given the physical nature of the job, stock clerks may face a higher risk of injuries, which underscores the importance of safety practices in their work environment. Individuals interested in this career should ideally possess good time management skills and a detail-oriented mindset, making this role suitable for those who thrive in hands-on, dynamic settings.
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Subject Terms
Stock Clerk
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Business, Management & Administration, Manufacturing, Marketing, Sales & Service
Interests: Inventory control, ordering, customer service, merchandising, order fulfillment, manufacturing
Earnings (Yearly Median): $44,210 per year $21.26 per hour
Employment & Outlook: -4% (Decline)
Entry-Level Education: High school diploma or equivalent
Related Work Experience: None
On-the-job-Training: Average training ranges from one to six months.
Overview
Sphere of Work. Stock clerks, also known as warehouse clerks, stockroom clerks, material recording clerks, or order fillers, provide inventory support for their employers. They may perform a wide variety of different tasks, including receiving shipments of goods from warehouses or storage facilities, unpacking boxes and shipping containers, readying materials for use or sale, stocking shelves, taking inventory of stock, fulfilling customer orders, and documenting all materials received, used, shipped, or sold. Stock clerks often work alongside and assist shipping and receiving clerks.
Work Environment. Stock clerks work in stores, warehouses, and stockrooms. Depending on the employer and the job description, a stock clerk may work as a full-time team member or be hired as a shift worker or term-of-project contractor. Stock clerks generally work forty-hour weeks, but evening and weekend work may be necessary during periods of increased business. Stock clerks are at a higher-than-average risk for job-related injuries due to the inherently physical nature of some of their work.
Occupation Interest. Individuals attracted to the stock clerk occupation tend to be physically strong and detail-oriented people who exhibit traits such as stamina, organization, promptness, dependability, and good time management. Stock clerks should enjoy physical work and have a background in warehouse operations or business.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. The individual's job specifications and work environment determine the daily occupational duties and responsibilities of shipping and receiving clerks. Multiple people and departments perform stocking and order fulfillment tasks in large companies, such as large grocery stores and department stores. In a smaller company, such as a local shoe store, one person is usually responsible for all stock-related tasks. Prospective stock clerks should understand that the level of automation in the stock inventory and tracking process varies significantly in different organizations and is determined by the organization’s size and technological environment.
Stock clerks working in warehouses and storage facilities are responsible for processing incoming shipments. They accept and unpack the shipments, verify the receipt of materials and accuracy of orders, inspect the condition of goods and materials, place incoming goods in storage bins or on hand trucks, and file invoices. Stock clerks either manually record data on incoming goods or enter the data electronically using handheld computers and scanners. Once a shipment has been received, stock clerks distribute the goods to the proper destination within the organization, including offices, warehouses, stock rooms, or production lines. Stock clerks may notify shippers when incoming shipments are damaged, lost, or stolen. Sometimes, they must physically move loads from the warehouse to the stockroom with a hand truck or forklift.
Stock clerks working in stores and retail stockrooms are responsible for inventory and customer service activities. They stock shelves, price items, take inventory, order stock, fulfill customer orders, clean display areas, assist customers, and advise store managers when items should go on price reduction to increase stock turnover. Senior stock clerks may take over the role of inventory manager from the store manager. Some stock clerks also have merchandising duties, including marketing research or helping coordinate marketing and manufacturing functions.
Inventory Clerks (222.387-026). Inventory clerks keep records of the amount, kind, and value of merchandise, material, or stock.
Tool-Crib Attendants (222.367-062). Tool-crib attendants receive, store, and issue hand tools, machine-cutting tools, dies, safety equipment, and other work supplies.
Procurement Clerks (249.367-066). Procurement clerks gather information and records to draw up purchase orders for materials for industrial firms, agencies, or other organizations.
Material Clerks (222.387-034). Material clerks keep records of the quantity, costs, and type of materials received, stored, and issued on a job.
Order Fillers (222.487-014). Order fillers fill customers’ mail and telephone orders by obtaining the merchandise from stock areas. They compute the price of the items and send the merchandise to the wrapping area.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Stock clerks work in warehouses, storage yards, retail, and stockroom environments. Stock clerk work tends to be very physical and requires extensive walking, lifting, and bending. Stock clerks are at risk for job-related injuries like back strain, scrapes, and crush injuries.
Plant Environment. Stock clerks working in plant or manufacturing environments provide stock and inventory support to the business. Stock clerks in a plant environment may experience physical risks resulting from production fumes, noise, or plant accidents.
Human Environment. Depending on assignment and organization, a stock clerk’s human environment may be social or isolated. Stock clerks may interact with colleagues (such as shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks), customers, shippers, and supervisors depending on their work assignments and the extent of automation within the organization.
Technological Environment. Stock clerks use bar code machines and readers, radio-frequency identification scanners, computers, Internet communication tools, and software for accounting, word processing, and spreadsheets for tracking purposes. They also use adding machines and calculators, facsimile and photocopying machines, telephones, label makers, scales, and postal machines to complete their work. Occasionally, they may transport packages using hand trucks or forklifts.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. High school students interested in pursuing a career as stock clerks should prepare by building good study habits. High school courses in business and bookkeeping can provide a strong foundation for work as a stock clerk or college-level study in the field. Due to the diversity of stock clerk responsibilities, high school students interested in this career path may benefit from seeking internships or part-time work with local stores or businesses.
Postsecondary. Postsecondary students interested in becoming stock clerks should work towards an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in bookkeeping or general business. Coursework in mathematics and computers may also be helpful in their future work. Postsecondary students can gain work experience and potential advantage in future job searches by securing internships or part-time employment with local businesses.
Related Occupations
− Automotive Parts Service Clerk
− Shipping and Receiving Clerk
Bibliography
“Material Recording Clerks.” Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 17 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/material-recording-clerks.htm. Accessed 27 Aug. 2024.