What does a materials clerk do?
A materials clerk is in charge of recording and monitoring the inventory of materials in different establishments, mostly in warehouses and retail facilities. They typically receive and inspect supplies to verify its quality and quantity, handle the documentation procedures, review requisitions and invoices, and update records as needed. Most of the time, they have the authority to accept and reject deliveries according to documents and materials. Moreover, aside from keeping accurate records, a materials clerk must maintain an active communication line with staff for a smooth and efficient workflow.
Materials clerk responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real materials clerk resumes:
- Manage incoming delivery of all FedEx and containers containing serviceable material.
- Direct inbound and outbound logistics operations, such as transportation and warehouse activities, safety performance, and logistics quality management.
- Deliver groceries to customers homes/ businesses.
Materials clerk skills and personality traits
We calculated that 14% of Materials Clerks are proficient in Data Entry, Purchase Orders, and Patient Care. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Customer-service skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Materials Clerks that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Data Entry, 14%
Perform data entry of receipts for inventory and non-inventory items.
- Purchase Orders, 8%
Contacted suppliers to expedite open purchase orders to ensure on-time delivery of materials
- Patient Care, 8%
Collaborate with Hospital staff to ensure patient safety through the availability of appropriate supplies and equipment for excellent patient care.
- Inventory Control, 8%
Supervised computer peripherals area of JIT inventory control -Involved in the design of an on-line stock locator/inventory control system
- Pallet Jack, 8%
Operated powered lift trucks, pallet jackets and forklifts safely, with a 0% incident rate.
- Cycle Counts, 7%
Ensured area was compliant and able to pass all audits while maintaining a 98.8 percent accuracy level in cycle counts.
Most materials clerks use their skills in "data entry," "purchase orders," and "patient care" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential materials clerk responsibilities here:
Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for a materials clerk to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "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." Additionally, a materials clerk resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "assisted in daily problem solving for purchase orders while maintaining communication with purchasing personnel. "
Customer-service skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling materials 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 a materials clerk resume, here's how materials clerks can utilize customer-service skills in their job responsibilities: "perform data entry, customer service, and keep records of all material in mrb area. "
Detail oriented. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of materials clerks is detail oriented. This skill is critical to many everyday materials clerk duties, as "material and product inspecting clerks check items for defects, some of which are small and difficult to spot." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "accessed computer systems to load product descriptions requiring close attention to details. "
Math skills. For certain materials clerk responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "math skills." The day-to-day duties of a materials clerk rely on this skill, as "some material recording clerks use math to calculate shipping costs or take measurements." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what materials clerks do: "fast-paced, data entry, mathematics, daily. "
The three companies that hire the most materials clerks are:
- FedEx9 materials clerks jobs
- University of Southern California9 materials clerks jobs
- Kindred Healthcare7 materials clerks jobs
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Compare different materials clerks
Materials clerk vs. Warehouse coordinator
A warehouse coordinator is responsible for monitoring the supply and distribution operations of a warehouse, loading and unloading merchandise from the delivery trucks, and storing items appropriately on the facility. Warehouse coordinators assist in packing and labeling items, pulling out products from delivery, and ensuring the correct quantity and quality of the items before release. They also inspect the efficiency and performance of warehouse tools and equipment, especially on schedule for regular maintenance, and call for repairs as needed.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a materials clerk are more likely to require skills like "patient care," "inventory issues," "shop floor," and "ex." On the other hand, a job as a warehouse coordinator requires skills like "customer service," "math," "warehouse functions," and "warehouse operations." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Warehouse coordinators earn the highest salaries when working in the health care industry, with an average yearly salary of $36,509. On the other hand, materials clerks are paid more in the automotive industry with an average salary of $39,785.The education levels that warehouse coordinators earn slightly differ from materials clerks. In particular, warehouse coordinators are 0.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a materials clerk. Additionally, they're 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Materials clerk vs. Distribution technician
A distribution technician has a variety of duties and responsibilities, including collecting and delivering materials, receiving documents, packages, and messages, and transporting them safely to their destination. Other tasks that you will likely perform include managing the inventory and completing data entry, preparing documentation and reports, and coordinating logistics for the shipment of products. Additional duties include providing quality service to customers and distributors, resolving inventory discrepancies, and collecting and updating customer information. You may also be tasked to conduct field and laboratory testing of construction materials.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that materials clerk responsibilities requires skills like "purchase orders," "inventory issues," "materials handling," and "shop floor." But a distribution technician might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "patients," "customer service," "logistics," and "cleanliness."
On average, distribution technicians earn a higher salary than materials clerks. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, distribution technicians earn the most pay in the utilities industry with an average salary of $36,651. Whereas materials clerks have higher pay in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $39,785.In general, distribution technicians achieve similar levels of education than materials clerks. They're 1.3% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Materials clerk vs. Storekeeper
Storekeepers are skilled professionals who are responsible for managing all the operations of a storeroom of an organization. These storekeepers are required to ensure that storeroom personnel under their supervision are following the general rules and regulations of the organization while maintaining an orderly and safe working environment. They are must maintain and revamp the inventory management system while preparing reports for their superiors. Storekeepers must also respond to customer requests and provide customer service with other divisions of the materials management department.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from materials clerk resumes include skills like "patient care," "basic math," "inventory issues," and "shop floor," whereas a storekeeper is more likely to list skills in "customer service," "pallets," "cleanliness," and "osha. "
Storekeepers earn the best pay in the government industry, where they command an average salary of $35,425. Materials clerks earn the highest pay from the automotive industry, with an average salary of $39,785.Most storekeepers achieve a similar degree level compared to materials clerks. For example, they're 1.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Materials clerk vs. Inventory control specialist
Inventory control specialist ensures company inventory is accurate in all levels to increase the company's profitability. The specialist should maintain stable stocks and should manage the procurement of inventories. He/She or she is responsible for managing the flow of inventory in and out together with the shipment, package, and the storage activities then record them accurately for audits and reporting to the management. Specialists are often employed by various industries. They usually work in warehouses or in local retail locations.
Types of materials clerk
Updated January 8, 2025
