Logistical warehouses are the beating heart of any company that needs to receive physical goods. Supplies, customer products, components, and equipment all have to arrive somewhere and be accounted for.
Stockroom clerks ensure that inventory arrives on time, is undamaged, and is allocated to the proper areas. They keep thorough records of items shipped or received, and track inventory changes in supply or demand. They’ll additionally be responsible for maintaining a clean and safe stockroom.
Stockroom clerks should have excellent attention to detail and a strong aptitude for record keeping, as this position is heavy in matching bills, invoices, and orders to products and shipments, along with detecting damages. They need to have great interpersonal skills, both verbal and written. Forklift licensure, safety certifications, physical fitness, and computer skills are all excellent pluses for candidates.
Sample job description
A stockroom clerk is needed for hire at [Your Company Name]. The duty of this role is to guarantee all inventory is overseen. This job implies several different responsibilities, one of which is transferring inventory to and from warehouses, shelves, and displays. It will usually be your job to create these displays, attempting to create an appealing product for the customer. Retrieving items from the warehouse must be done to maintain shelves and displays, so feeling comfortable on ladders is an essential quality for this job. Within the warehouse, you must have accurate data about the number of inventory the location holds. You must create and update these data sheets, to the standard the company sets. Usually annually, it is your task to create reports on all of the data, allowing the managers to find room for improvement within the store. It is your responsibility to find and report any missing or damaged items. This task begins with monitoring all incoming shipments, and constantly inspecting the inventory. On top of all this, you may have to assist clients with whatever is needed, as you walk throughout the store.
Typical duties and responsibilities
- Receive and process incoming items and materials
- Count, sort, and account for incoming materials
- Conduct inventory audits
- Keep records of incoming and outgoing inventory
Education and experience
This position requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Employers prefer candidates who have experience working in a warehouse or a shipping setting.
Required skills and qualifications
- Aptitude for counting and inventory management
- Follow safe work practices and procedures
- Excellent teamwork skills
- Ability to lift items and stand on feet for long period
Preferred qualifications
- Working knowledge of electronic components
- Working knowledge of MS Office
- Identify electronic components and values
- Knowledge of ManEx application
- Prefer a high school diploma or six months of stockroom experience
- Ability to sit or stand for long periods
Average salary and compensation
The average salary for stock room clerk is 33,800 in the United States. Position salary will vary based on experience, education, company size, industry, and market.
| Location | Salary Low | Salary High |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix, Arizona | $33,600 | $45,500 |
| Los Angeles, California | $37,950 | $51,300 |
| Denver, Colorado | $31,600 | $42,750 |
| Washington, DC | $38,500 | $52,100 |
| Miami, Florida | $31,500 | $42,600 |
| Orlando, Florida | $29,050 | $39,300 |
| Tampa, Florida | $29,300 | $39,650 |
| Atlanta, Georgia | $30,750 | $41,600 |
| Chicago, Illinois | $35,350 | $47,800 |
| Boston, Massachusetts | $38,200 | $51,700 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota | $30,450 | $41,200 |
| New York City, New York | $40,200 | $54,400 |
| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | $32,750 | $44,300 |
| Dallas, Texas | $31,900 | $43,150 |
| Houston, Texas | $31,600 | $42,750 |
| Seattle, Washington | $36,800 | $49,750 |
| National Average | $28,750 | $38,900 |
Typical work environment
You will primarily be working in the backrooms of the retail, department, or grocery stores. You can expect your hours to be no different than the store opening or closing hours, if not slightly longer. Depending on the size of the store, you may work with several other managers to cover more. It is because of this that organizational skills are a necessity to successfully do this job. This job may require a lot of interaction between you, managers, employees, and customers. Having a basic understanding of communication will be needed to help you do the bare minimum of your tasks. The vast majority of your day will be spent on your feet, running around the store in an attempt to maintain the inventory. If you feel as though you have the skills required to manage the warehouses of a store, this may be the job designed for you.
Typical hours
The typical work hours for a stock room clerk are from 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday, in a warehouse setting. With materials often shipping around the clock, overtime or weekend hours aren’t uncommon, depending upon the employer.
Available certifications
As a stockroom clerk, your responsibilities usually do not require certifications to complete successfully. This does not mean, however, that this job does not have aspects to it that can benefit from certification. An example of this would be:
- OSHA. Although there aren’t many certificates directly tied to being a stockroom clerk, there are indirect certificates allowing you to prove your worth, if not teach you how to do better in your workplace. This safety course goes over the generalized aspects of safety. This may help in several areas, whether that is reassuring your employer, learning about safety, or landing a job.
Career path
Often, stock room clerks start with an entry-level position, but with experience, they can grow their skills and abilities and move into leadership roles.
US, Bureau of Labor Statistics’ job outlook
SOC Code: 43-5071
| 2020 Employment | 734,900 |
| Projected Employment in 2030 | 694,300 |
| Projected 2020-2030 Percentage Shift | 6% decrease |
| Projected 2020-2030 Numeric Shift | 40,600 decrease |
Position trends
The increased use of technology means fewer clerks are needed to do the same amount of work. Examples of this new tech include radio frequency identification (RFID) tags and hand-held devices that read barcodes automatically.
Sample interview questions
- Are you an organized person, and do you have the capability to organize stockrooms quickly and efficiently?
- Do you have any previous experience working as a stockroom clerk?
- Do you work well with the help of others?
- Do you have the ability to articulate information through words, graphs, and sheets?
- Do you have any experience in inventory management?
- Do you have the ability to thoroughly inspect items in case of damage?
