Stock Clerk
Job in about 50 words:
Is your fridge so stocked you could weather out a tornado and an earthquake and still have food leftover for Thanksgiving? Do you hate when your favorite clothing store doesn’t have your size on the floor and you have to track down a busy associate to check the back? Then a position as a stocker may be your perfect fit. All you need is a friendly personality and quick reflexes and you’re ready to call the storage room your home away from home.
Job skills/requirements:
The good news is that your training will teach you everything you need to know to succeed on the job. But here are a few skills you should have from the get-go, as well as some requirements:
- Heavy lifting: This is generally an 18+ position, but not all stock associates have to be body builders to excel at this job. Many stockers are responsible for stocking shelves or organizing products on a sales table so customers can find merchandise quickly, which requires much less muscle.
- Urgency: If an item is out of stock on the floor, stockers need to be able to react quickly and fill from the stock room as soon as possible. The faster you fill items out on the sales floor, the happier your customers will be. And a happy customer translates to a happy boss..
- Positive attitude: While you don’t need to have a Mary Poppins demeanor, you should be friendly since you will be interacting with customers who may have questions about merchandise that only you can answer.
- Organization: Many stockers are required to maintain the stock room, keeping it clean and organized. This may not be the wisest choice for you if you can’t see your bedroom floor through all the clothes—are they clean or dirty? It’s hard to tell.
Expected hours: In-store stockers can expect to work varied hours depending on the needs of the store. You could work into the wee hours of the morning to make sure the store is well-stocked for opening, or stay later in the evening to take inventory in the warehouse.
Dress the part: Be comfortable. Jeans and a T-shirt are usually all you need to perform your many duties as a stocker. At the most, your employer may ask you to wear black pants and a polo shirt that are provided by the company to fit in with the rest of the employees. Besides, it’s dangerous to climb a ladder in heels or loafers..
Job myth:
Stockers never see the light of day.
Stockers will often be approached by customers when they are replacing merchandise in store isles, as well as bringing orders to the front for customers. They also interact with other store associates to make sure they have everything they need on the floor. So don’t worry, no one will lock you up in the stock room all day and only feed you table scraps. At least we don’t think so.
Career path:
- Warehouse supervisor (Averages $45,000/year)
- Warehouse manager (Averages $60,000/year)