How to hire an inventory associate

How to hire an inventory associate, step by step

Here's a step-by-step inventory associate hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an inventory associate job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new inventory associate
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does an inventory associate do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your inventory associate job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find an inventory associate for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them an inventory associate to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire an inventory associate that fits the bill.

   This list presents inventory associate salaries for various positions.

   Type of Inventory Associate	Description	Hourly rate
   Inventory Associate	Material recording clerks track product information in order to keep businesses and supply chains on schedule. They ensure proper scheduling, recordkeeping, and inventory control.	$11-17
   Stock Team Member	A stock team member is an employee who is responsible for preparing and distributing merchandise from the backroom to the sales floor. Stock team members are required to support the stocking team by helping locate items on the sales floor and assisting with stocking merchandise... Show more	$11-17
   Stock Receiver	A stock receiver is a person who manages and processes stocks in retail stores or warehouses. Stock receivers make sure that all shipments are properly inspected, sorted, and stored or stocked on shelves or warehouses... Show more	$11-17

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Ladders
   • Strong Work Ethic
   • Work Ethic
   • WIS
   • Inventory Counts
   • Customer Service
   • Handheld Scanner
   • Sales Floor
   • Quality Control Checks
   • Store Merchandise
   • Ground Maintenance
   • Handheld Device
   • Cycle Counts
   • Inventory Control

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage the ordering of shipping supplies through FedEx's web ordering system.
   • Train any associate interest in POS system in order to help them achieve their goals.
   • Count products in warehouse; preform quality checks on packages being ship out; operate RF gun; update computer system
   • Research product (WMS) system to conduct quality control locations.
   • Clean store, bag groceries, and assist customers with general needs.
   • Assist customers with bagging groceries and assisting them with lifting and carrying groceries.

   More inventory associate duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your inventory associate job description helps attract top candidates to the position. An inventory associate salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for an inventory associate in West Virginia may be lower than in Washington, and an entry-level inventory associate usually earns less than a senior-level inventory associate. Additionally, an inventory associate with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average inventory associate salary

   $14.46hourly

   $30,067 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level inventory associate salary

   $24,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

   Average inventory associate salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Washington	$34,288	$16
   2	New Hampshire	$33,949	$16
   3	California	$33,775	$16
   4	Massachusetts	$33,706	$16
   5	Rhode Island	$33,446	$16
   6	Maine	$32,993	$16
   7	Minnesota	$32,718	$16
   8	Oregon	$32,311	$16
   9	Connecticut	$32,176	$15
   10	Utah	$31,391	$15
   11	New York	$30,983	$15
   12	North Dakota	$30,431	$15
   13	Colorado	$30,289	$15
   14	Michigan	$30,272	$15
   15	South Dakota	$30,090	$14
   16	Illinois	$29,901	$14
   17	Wisconsin	$29,872	$14
   18	Nevada	$29,508	$14
   19	Arizona	$29,450	$14
   20	Pennsylvania	$29,252	$14

   Average inventory associate salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Phillips 66	$38,826	$18.67
   2	Uline	$38,592	$18.55	42
   3	Cargill	$38,435	$18.48	23
   4	CarMax	$36,814	$17.70	83
   5	Stryker	$36,733	$17.66	2
   6	Danaher	$34,889	$16.77	4
   7	Smithfield Foods	$34,530	$16.60	4
   8	Tesoro	$34,423	$16.55
   9	UPS	$34,175	$16.43	82
   10	Volt Systems LLC	$33,774	$16.24
   11	Ortho Clinical Diagnostics	$33,656	$16.18
   12	Shutterfly	$33,577	$16.14	2
   13	Cardinal Health	$33,409	$16.06	255
   14	Essendant	$33,341	$16.03	16
   15	McKesson	$33,148	$15.94	16
   16	Joby Aviation	$32,990	$15.86
   17	Lyft	$32,732	$15.74
   18	Chromalloy Gas Turbine LLC	$32,661	$15.70	1
   19	Haas Automation	$32,391	$15.57
   20	Best Buy	$32,182	$15.47	82

4. Writing an inventory associate job description

   A job description for an inventory associate role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's an inventory associate job description:

   Inventory associate job description example

   NorCal Cannabis has been developing and shaping the legal cannabis industry since 2015 in the areas of cultivation, production, distribution, and retail. From seed to sale, our brands, products, and assets are meticulously developed from cultivation and manufacturing to distribution and retail. Throughout the entire process, we value every element of the supply chain and proudly serve distributors, retailers, and consumers across California.
   
   We are proud to announce that we are opening our Flagship Dispensary, B-kind, in Santa Rosa, this September. We are looking for a stellar team to take retail cannabis to the next level. The adventure to get to this point has been exciting and arduous at the same time, with our new dispensary built from the ground up with the latest technology and comfort for our employees and guests to take in.
   
   As the Inventory Associate, you will be responsible for ensuring all daily inventory tasks meet standards in order to maintain a smooth retail operation. Responsibilities include receiving and intaking all products, quality control and food safety; ensuring segregation and disposal of outdated, damaged, deteriorated, misbranded or adulterated cannabis; ensuring proper tracking and disposal of unusable products based on state and local requirements; processing and packaging of product as needed; ensuring that the oldest stock of cannabis products are distributed first; executing precise daily, weekly and monthly inventory reports; conducting audits in accordance with state guidelines; and the daily tracking and supply of inventory both on the sales floor and back storage.
   
   What you'll do Assist with Inventory related processes in the store Ensure accurate reporting to Store manager relating to inventory, tracking and quality control Uphold a safe, organized and compliant system for the storage, receipt and processing of inventory Assist in receiving all products for the dispensary using the POS and Inventory Management SystemContinuously work towards growing your knowledge of the products and brands we offer to guests Assess product quality and resolve quality concerns Participate in product processing/packaging projects as needed, ensuring appropriate quantities, accurate weights, quality control, sanitation standards, and proper packaging and labeling to meet all local and state labeling requirements Adhere to a strict policy and set of procedures for the disposal of unusable cannabis products in accordance with state and local laws and guidance from local law enforcement Complete daily restocking and the introduction of new inventory Facilitate daily, weekly and monthly inventory audits, counting and tracking; report results to the store manager.Compliance with hygiene and sanitation guidelines Assist in maintaining appropriate levels of supplies, organization and overall cleanliness of the department and product storage areas Support accurate, organized and compliant departmental records; review for assurance that no errors have occurred, or if they have occurred, that they have been investigated and resolved
   
   What we are looking for1 year of experience in inventory control Prior experience working in the cannabis industry and/or knowledge of metrc training is a plus Able to work days, nights, holidays and weekends Self-starter and very organized Basic computer operating skills; MS Excel knowledge Excellent communication skills, attention to detail Follows store/company code of conduct Minimum 21 years of age This role requires frequent lifting and/or moving of items over 50 pounds
   
   What we bring to the table Our co-workers are a close-knit, intelligent, collaborative and motivated team.We care about you. We offer competitive health, dental, and vision insurance benefits for employees and their dependents.Invest in yourself and your family. We offer a company 401(k) retirement plan to all eligible employees, Eligible employees have worked with the company for 6 months and are 21 years of age or older.We value diversity and inclusivity. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.This roles pays $18.00 per hour + tips
   
   NorCal Cannabis has been developing and shaping the legal cannabis industry since 2015 in the areas of cultivation, distribution and retail.
   
   NorCal's mission is to bridge the strong roots and rich heritage of the cannabis industry with the bright future and unlimited potential now available to companies that fully understand the intricacies of the business. From seed to sale, our brands, products, and assets are meticulously developed from cultivation and manufacturing to delivery and retail. Throughout the entire process, we value every element of the supply chain and proudly serve distributors, retailers and consumers across California.
   Our Values: Grow with Integrity Bring People Together Build with Ambition Believe in Cannabis for Good We believe cannabis is a force for good, and will make positive impacts to society, the economy and the environment. The history of cannabis and social reform go hand in hand. We honor the struggles of the past by building a better future. NorCal Cannabis recruits, employs, trains, compensates and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, disability, age, veteran status, and other protected statuses as required by applicable law. We believe that in our differences, we find strength. We are committed to equality, diversity, multiculturalism, and inclusion. We know we will always have to work to contribute to making our world a more equitable place. We focus first on building a values driven foundation inside the physical and virtual walls of our company and make concerted efforts to engage in the local communities we operate in and the global community for which we are citizens. NorCal Cannabis also strives to be a steward of our ecological environment, knowing that our business's health and health of our people is dependent and integrally connected to the health of the earth's ecosystem. We do our best to tread lightly.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right inventory associate for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your inventory associate job on Zippia to find and recruit inventory associate candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit inventory associates, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new inventory associate

   Once you've selected the best inventory associate candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire an inventory associate?