What Does a Stock Clerk Do?
A stock clerk may work in a warehouse, retail store, or grocery store, where he or she is responsible for receiving new merchandise and goods. A clerk may be required to sign for packages, assess the condition of the items received, and price the merchandise according to supervisors' requests. Clerks are frequently responsible for checking a store's inventory, retrieving items from stockrooms, and placing orders for new merchandise.
In many warehouses, wholesale facilities, and large stockrooms, several clerks are staffed to inspect incoming orders and store them appropriately. A stock clerk in a modern warehouse might use a computerized scanner to keep track of inventory and expiration dates, though many clerks still keep paper records to stay updated on quantities. The duties of a warehouse stock clerk may include frequent heavy lifting and using a hand truck or cart to move large packages around. Some clerks operate forklifts to move goods that are stacked on pallets.
Most grocery stores and retail companies have stock clerks on hand to monitor inventory and replenish store shelves. A clerk accepts and unloads orders from trucks, unpacks boxes to ensure that orders are correct, and prices or codes the goods. He or she often checks the inventory of a certain item on the store floor, and when quantities are low, retrieves more items from the stockroom to fill shelves. An experienced clerk may be placed in charge of ordering new products from wholesale distributors by phone or online. In a small store, a stock clerk may assume many other duties, such as cleaning the facility, setting up product displays, performing customer service, and cashiering.
There are not typically extensive requirements to become a stock clerk. Stores frequently hire people with high school diplomas as well as students still attending high school. In stores where where clerks perform cashiering and customer service duties, employees may be required to have some college experience in business management. Math skills and previous experience in retail or warehouse settings are desirable, so that companies do not have to spend a great deal of time and resources training new employees.
Experienced clerks have significant room for advancement. Many people become supervisors or managers after demonstrating a high level of proficiency for the job and the ability to act as a leader. Stock clerks may choose transfer to other departments within a business, such as human resources. Additionally, many people work as clerks to learn about the workings of a store or warehouse, in hopes of one day opening their own businesses.
Written by D. Jeffress
