What does a merchandise handler do?
A merchandise handler deals with inventory and merchandise for shipment to ecommerce customers. This position requires familiarity with all computer technology used in processing the merchandise. The duties of this position are accurately recording the movement of merchandise, operating merchandise handling equipment, confirming the quantity of inventory, and handling the merchandise with care to avoid damage. They also need to ensure the customer has quality experience with every order.
Merchandise handler responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real merchandise handler resumes:
- Clean and maintain the warehouse in compliance with OSHA standards.
- Make visual evaluations and floor moves while maintaining OSHA guidelines.
- Process incoming merchandise shipments by unpacking products, moving items in WMS, steaming clothing, and stocking shelves.
- Transport pallets to where they need to go in the store to insure products are stocked up properly for customer needs.
- Distribute production materials to designate locations on assembly lines observing the first-in-first-out (FIFO) inventory control practice.
- Greet customers while bagging their groceries, collect carts in parking lot, put away return items, general sanitation.
Merchandise handler skills and personality traits
We calculated that 21% of Merchandise Handlers are proficient in Basic Math, Math, and Pallets. They’re also known for soft skills such as Physical strength, Listening skills, and Customer-service skills.
We break down the percentage of Merchandise Handlers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Basic Math, 21%
Documented labeling information and size of pallets by using basic mathematics.
- Math, 17%
Worked with excel spreadsheets to perform attrition for the stock room using math skills on a daily basis.
- Pallets, 11%
Use Heavy Machines to load and unload pallets of items from delivery trucks to be unpacked and distributed around the warehouse.
- Hand Tools, 10%
Adjusted or replace equipment parts, such as rollers, belts, plugs, or caps, using hand tools.
- Purchase Orders, 6%
Verify items received against purchase order.
- Hand Trucks, 6%
Used pallet jacks, hand trucks.
Common skills that a merchandise handler uses to do their job include "basic math," "math," and "pallets." You can find details on the most important merchandise handler responsibilities below.
Physical strength. The most essential soft skill for a merchandise handler to carry out their responsibilities is physical strength. This skill is important for the role because "some hand laborers and material movers must be able to lift and carry heavy objects." Additionally, a merchandise handler resume shows how their duties depend on physical strength: "design and create physical merchandise displays in order to maximize product sales. "
Listening skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling merchandise handler duties is listening skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "hand laborers and material movers follow instructions that a supervisor gives them." According to a merchandise handler resume, here's how merchandise handlers can utilize listening skills in their job responsibilities: "communicated product knowledge to customers. "
Customer-service skills. merchandise handlers are also known for customer-service skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to merchandise handler responsibilities, because "hand laborers and material movers who work with the public, such as grocery baggers or carwash attendants, must be pleasant and courteous to customers." A merchandise handler resume example shows how customer-service skills is used in the workplace: "helped keep up with inventory, cleanliness of store and provided customer service to customers. "
The three companies that hire the most merchandise handlers are:
- Crate and Barrel26 merchandise handlers jobs
- Mattel12 merchandise handlers jobs
- Macy's7 merchandise handlers jobs
Choose from 10+ customizable merchandise handler resume templates
Build a professional merchandise handler resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your merchandise handler resume.
Compare different merchandise handlers
Merchandise handler vs. Stock unloader
Stock unloaders are workers in charge of unloading goods and items from the truck into the store. The unloaders move the products in a warehouse, distribution center, or any industrial facility. They stock the shelves in stores, work with the general merchandise team, and clean the processing center. It is also their responsibility to enforce procedures and policies for departmental operations. The skills necessary to carry out this job include strong communication skills, leadership, and attention to detail.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, merchandise handler responsibilities require skills like "basic math," "math," "hand tools," and "shrink wrap machines." Meanwhile a typical stock unloader has skills in areas such as "sales floor," "store shelves," "customer service," and "general merchandise." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
On average, stock unloaders reach similar levels of education than merchandise handlers. Stock unloaders are 0.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Merchandise handler vs. Truck unloader
People working in the docks are collectively called dock workers. Their primary job is to load and unload ships. They are also named material movers and hand laborers who manually move stocks, freight, or other materials. While formal educational attainment is not a prerequisite to becoming a dock worker, several skills are required. Dockworkers should have the best physical strength, endurance, and agility. Having good hearing and eyesight is also essential in their job.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real merchandise handler resumes. While merchandise handler responsibilities can utilize skills like "basic math," "math," "hand tools," and "shrink wrap machines," truck unloaders use skills like "electric pallet jack," "sales floor," "customer service," and "semi trucks."
Truck unloaders earn a higher average salary than merchandise handlers. But truck unloaders earn the highest pay in the transportation industry, with an average salary of $37,090. Additionally, merchandise handlers earn the highest salaries in the retail with average pay of $32,282 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Truck unloaders tend to reach similar levels of education than merchandise handlers. In fact, they're 0.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Merchandise handler vs. Dock worker
An unloader is responsible for monitoring truck deliveries and managing all goods and merchandise to the store. Unloaders verify the deliveries' correct quantity by checking the receipts and ensuring its quality for customers' purchase. They respond to the customers' inquiries and concerns, facilitate the shelf arrangement of the products, sort items, and help with the store's organization and cleanliness. An unloader must have excellent time-management skills and the ability to multitask to perform various tasks in the fast-paced industry.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a merchandise handler is likely to be skilled in "hand tools," "shrink wrap machines," "purchase orders," and "product knowledge," while a typical dock worker is skilled in "safety rules," "tractor trailer," "ltl," and "dock equipment."
Dock workers make a very good living in the manufacturing industry with an average annual salary of $35,927. On the other hand, merchandise handlers are paid the highest salary in the retail industry, with average annual pay of $32,282.When it comes to education, dock workers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to merchandise handlers. In fact, they're 0.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Merchandise handler vs. Unloader
Types of merchandise handler
Updated January 8, 2025
