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Lead stocker vs inventory associate

The differences between lead stockers and inventory associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an inventory associate has an average salary of $30,067, which is higher than the $28,615 average annual salary of a lead stocker.

The top three skills for a lead stocker include sales floor, sales associates and store management. The most important skills for an inventory associate are ladders, strong work ethic, and work ethic.

Lead stocker vs inventory associate overview

Lead StockerInventory Associate
Yearly salary$28,615$30,067
Hourly rate$13.76$14.46
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs20,672184,462
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%High School Diploma, 42%
Average age3838
Years of experience--

What does a lead stocker do?

A lead stocker is responsible for ensuring day-to-day stocking processes and associated tasks are being accomplished correctly and in a timely manner to decrease sales floor outs. The lead stockers lead daily activities of stockers and properly channel communication of new items and inventory discrepancies/deficiencies. It is expected of them to take part in the performance management of stockers. Moreover, a store manager needs their participation in hiring, performance evaluation and development, and in creating weekly work schedules for the stocking team.

What does an inventory associate do?

An inventory associate is responsible for monitoring inventory supplies, ensuring that the supplies are adequate for customers' orders and business' needs. Inventory associates manage order sheets and record inventory reports, check items for possible defects, prepare merchandise for shipment, inspect delivered inventory supplies and return damaged items, organize shelves, and operate basic warehouse equipment. An inventory associate must have strong analytical and data entry skills to input inventory records in the system efficiently and accurately.

Lead stocker vs inventory associate salary

Lead stockers and inventory associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

Lead StockerInventory Associate
Average salary$28,615$30,067
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $37,000Between $24,000 And $37,000
Highest paying City-Seattle, WA
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-Phillips 66
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between lead stocker and inventory associate education

There are a few differences between a lead stocker and an inventory associate in terms of educational background:

Lead StockerInventory Associate
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%High School Diploma, 42%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Lead stocker vs inventory associate demographics

Here are the differences between lead stockers' and inventory associates' demographics:

Lead StockerInventory Associate
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 73.4% Female, 26.6%Male, 59.5% Female, 40.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 22.2% Asian, 6.9% White, 54.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 19.6% Asian, 7.1% White, 56.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between lead stocker and inventory associate duties and responsibilities

Lead stocker example responsibilities.

  • Manage shipment, damages, charge orders, transfers, markdowns, seasonal floor sets, RTV and store supplies.
  • Coach and train new staff members on POS, safety, stocking, merchandising, etc ....
  • Create and maintain brand standards for visual presentation, cleanliness and organization throughout the store to ensure a consistent customer experience.
  • Assist store cleanliness and organization for customer satisfaction.
  • Demonstrate leadership as afternoon stock team and furniture assembly leader.
  • Enforce a culture of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement while providing operational leadership.
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Inventory associate example 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.
  • Show more

Lead stocker vs inventory associate skills

Common lead stocker skills
  • Sales Floor, 21%
  • Sales Associates, 13%
  • Store Management, 11%
  • Visual Standards, 10%
  • Cleanliness, 9%
  • Shipment Processing, 5%
Common inventory associate skills
  • Ladders, 31%
  • Strong Work Ethic, 27%
  • Work Ethic, 27%
  • WIS, 3%
  • Inventory Counts, 3%
  • Customer Service, 2%

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