Stock Clerk Jobs | Merchandise Distributor Career | Wholesale Distributor Employment
Stock Clerk Jobs - What is the Job of a Merchandise Distributor? What do Stock Clerk Jobs Involve?
Stock clerks are responsible for unpacking and storing merchandise and other products as well as picking up custom orders from the back room. Stock clerks are responsible for organizing and sorting items according to a specific inventory system, so the products can be located easily when they’re needed.
The work of a stock clerk may involve lifting heavy objects, and in large organizations they may be called stock control clerks or merchandise distributors. In small companies, merchandise distributors may package and mail items in coordination with a shipping and receiving clerk. In larger companies, wholesale distributors will oversee the operation of stock clerks.
Stock clerks will usually use handheld scanners in order to keep inventories up to date, and in a retail store, it is the responsibility of a stock clerk to bring merchandise to the floor and to stock empty shelves of product. Stock clerks may also take a customer’s order for a special or custom product and hold it for the customer until they can come back and pick it up on a later date.
Working Conditions for Wholesale Distributor Jobs - How is the Working Environment for Stock Clerk Jobs?
The working environment of a stock clerk career involves much standing, lifting, and bending, although there are numerous devices in order to eliminate back strain. Working evenings and weekends is common at retail locations, or when large shipments during holiday seasons come in. Inventory control periods, where the inventory must be counted in totality, are also busy times for the stock room clerk.
Merchandise Distributor Education - How to Become a Stock Clerk - How to Receive Your Wholesale Distributor Training
Merchandise distributor and stock clerk training will usually begin on the job by doing tasks under the direction of a more experienced distributor. Stock clerks will learn how to count inventory and to keep Inventory counts, in addition to being trained in automated computer systems that will help to maintain an accurate count of company products.
Stock Clerk Training Requirements - How to Become a Merchandise Distributor
Stock clerk job qualities should include physical strength, good stamina, and an ability to work under pressure and in repetitive tasks, which can sometimes be physically demanding. Stock clerks who handle alcohol or drugs may need to be licensed, and employees who have experience with using computers are in high demand.
Sometimes, stock clerks will function in numerous capacities, so skills in recordkeeping and typing are useful to smaller companies. Advanced opportunities for stock clerk jobs will depend on the location of employment, and in large companies these professionals may be able to move up to warehouse supervisors or purchasing agents.
Merchandise Distributor Employment - What is the Future of Stock Clerk Jobs?
Over the next decade, stock clerk employment and merchandise distributor employment should decrease by about 8%. The reason for this decline in distributor growth is a result of computer technology which has made computer inventory control systems much more efficient in tracking quantities of goods in the back room and on the floor.
Automated conveyor belts and automatically guided vehicles are also in the future. Internet shopping services should help keep employment of stock clerks from declining at an even faster rate. For those hoping to enter the field as a stock clerk, those who have knowledge of computer systems will have a much easier opportunity of getting employment. Grocery, department, and apparel stores should experience the least automation and offer the best industry opportunities for stock clerks.
Wholesale Distributor Salary Pay Scale - How Much Do Merchandise Distributors Earn?
In 2006, stock clerks and wholesale distributor jobs earned a median annual salary of $20,440, with the highest 10% earning more than $34,200. Benefits vary depending on whether stock clerks work fulltime or part time in their chosen occupation.