What does an inventory clerk do?

Inventory clerks or inventory control clerks manage and maintain all inventory coming in and out. They ensure that the items are stored and stocked in their proper places. They have to train less experienced clerks as well as prepare balance and shortage reports. They also need to report any stock issues, place orders when necessary, prepare a list of lacking products, and take note of unusable items. A good inventory clerk must be detail-oriented, organized, and have relevant experience in inventory control.
Inventory clerk responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real inventory clerk resumes:
- Use ERP system on a daily basis to accurately move and manage finish goods throughout the plant into inventory.
- Manage incoming delivery of all FedEx and containers containing serviceable material.
- Receive in POs and transfers.
- Maintain complete update purchasing records/data and pricing in the system POS.
- Reconcile receipts from travel expenses, material and employee payday loan log to AS400 reports.
- Key in and verify invoices using the AS400 system coming from various shops and terminals worldwide.
- Perform routine cycle counts and maintain data integrity of ERP software for material locations and capacity.
- Train new employees, input task operations into WMS system for employee production, confirm product receipt, verify product counts.
- Operate an RF shipping system efficiently and accurately.
- Monitor and maintain current inventory levels using WMS systems.
- Complete daily operational tasks using RF technology and power equipment.
- Direct inbound and outbound logistics operations such as warehouse activities, safety performance logistics and quality management.
- Perform research and data analysis to monitor inventory movement, logistics metrics, and identify and lead process improvement initiatives.
- Receive request, and pull out the kit base on the BOM.
- Pull orders by a BOM and use scale to count parts
Inventory clerk skills and personality traits
We calculated that 15% of Inventory Clerks are proficient in Customer Service, Data Entry, and Inventory Control. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Customer-service skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Inventory Clerks that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 15%
Processed inventory items, Certified forklift driver, loading/unloading shipments, handled inbound customer service calls, inventory management and organization.
- Data Entry, 11%
Key accomplishments included organizing filing system for purchase orders and computerizing data entry program for return goods materials.
- Inventory Control, 9%
Trained inventory control staff members to properly execute all functions associated with inventory management by balancing professionalism and confidence.
- Purchase Orders, 8%
Checked incoming inventory for quality, quantity accuracy and suitability against invoices, purchase orders and packing slips.
- Cycle Counts, 6%
Provided and participated in materials management duties by conducting inventory and cycle counts to ensure accuracy of product inventory.
- Shipping Receiving, 5%
Started with company as a Creeler, moved into Creeler/Operator position, and then to shipping receiving.
"customer service," "data entry," and "inventory control" are among the most common skills that inventory clerks use at work. You can find even more inventory clerk responsibilities below, including:
Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an inventory clerk to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "production, planning, and expediting clerks are frequently in contact with suppliers, vendors, and production managers and need to communicate the firm’s scheduling needs effectively." Inventory clerks often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "reconcile inventory discrepancies.skills: inventory control, microsoft office excel, communication skills"
Customer-service skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling inventory clerk duties is customer-service skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "stock clerks sometimes interact with customers in retail stores and may have to get the item the customer is looking for from the storeroom." According to an inventory clerk resume, here's how inventory clerks can utilize customer-service skills in their job responsibilities: "complete vendor discrepancy reports using ms powerpoint and communicate directly with the customer regarding system adjustments and replacement packaging. "
Detail oriented. This is an important skill for inventory clerks to perform their duties. For an example of how inventory clerk responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "material and product inspecting clerks check items for defects, some of which are small and difficult to spot." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of an inventory clerk: "perform detailed receiving and cycle counts as directed. ".
Math skills. inventory clerk responsibilities often require "math skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "some material recording clerks use math to calculate shipping costs or take measurements." This resume example shows what inventory clerks do with math skills on a typical day: "performed inventory data entry functions, maintaining the accuracy and timeliness of inventory statistics and levels for the assigned inventories. "
The three companies that hire the most inventory clerks are:
- CarMax147 inventory clerks jobs
- Hudson Group
67 inventory clerks jobs
- Robert Half36 inventory clerks jobs
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Inventory clerk vs. Stower
A stower is responsible for scanning a product and appropriately placing it to the right shelf for customer's consumption. Duties of a stower include inspecting the item for any defects and escalating damaged items to the supervisor ensuring adequately labeled products. Other responsibilities include operating essential store equipment, adhering to the sanitary standards of the working area, and assisting customers with their concerns and inquiries. A stower should have excellent time-management skills and the ability to multi-task, especially on working with a fast-paced environment.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between inventory clerks and stower. For instance, inventory clerk responsibilities require skills such as "data entry," "purchase orders," "cycle counts," and "shipping receiving." Whereas a stower is skilled in "pet," "pallets," "basic math," and "cleanliness." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Stowers really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $32,580. Comparatively, inventory clerks tend to make the most money in the technology industry with an average salary of $34,591.stowers tend to reach similar levels of education than inventory clerks. In fact, stowers are 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Inventory clerk vs. Receiving clerk
Usually assigned at a warehouse or retail store, a receiving clerk's primary role is to accept product deliveries upon arrival and sign necessary documents, prioritizing the accuracy of all invoices. It is also the task of a receiving clerk to unload heavy packages, verify its contents, place it in the appropriate storage place, and keep records for inventory. They must process returns should it be necessary. There are also instances where a receiving clerk may have to engage with retailers and vendors, ensuring that all shipments arrive in time.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that inventory clerk responsibilities requires skills like "shipping receiving," "pallet jack," "store merchandise," and "inventory issues." But a receiving clerk might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "pallets," "cleanliness," "stock merchandise," and "electric pallet jack."
Receiving clerks may earn a lower salary than inventory clerks, but receiving clerks earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $33,299. On the other hand, inventory clerks receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $34,591.receiving clerks earn similar levels of education than inventory clerks in general. They're 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Inventory clerk vs. Clerk
Clerks are responsible for many of the general administrative tasks in the office. They are in charge of manning office telephone lines, managing incoming and outgoing mails, filing paperwork and other needed records, scheduling and documenting meetings, typing out documents when needed, disseminating memos and other official announcements, and keeping an inventory of office equipment and supplies. Clerks should have good office skills, communication skills, business writing skills, and time management skills. They should also be able to treat any document or paperwork they handle with confidentiality.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an inventory clerk is likely to be skilled in "purchase orders," "cycle counts," "shipping receiving," and "pallet jack," while a typical clerk is skilled in "basic math," "math," "cleanliness," and "pos."
Clerks make a very good living in the health care industry with an average annual salary of $31,380. On the other hand, inventory clerks are paid the highest salary in the technology industry, with average annual pay of $34,591.Most clerks achieve a similar degree level compared to inventory clerks. For example, they're 1.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Inventory clerk vs. Warehouse clerk
A warehouse clerk is an employee responsible for the process of ordered goods while keeping the warehouse well-organized and clean. Warehouse clerks accept company products' deliveries, inspect them for any damages, and store them accordingly in the warehouse. Companies require their warehouse clerks to have many skills, such as an operating forklift or other machinery to transport large and heavy goods. Warehouse clerks must also possess abilities like knowledge in Warehouse Management Software programs and detailed-oriented capable of noticing small errors in orders.
Types of inventory clerk
Updated January 8, 2025











