How to hire a merchandise stocker

How to hire a merchandise stocker, step by step

Here's a step-by-step merchandise stocker hiring guide:

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

What does a merchandise stocker do?

Post a merchandise stocker job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your merchandise stocker 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 a merchandise stocker 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

   A merchandise stocker's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, merchandise stockers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents merchandise stocker salaries for various positions.

   Type of Merchandise Stocker	Description	Hourly rate
   Merchandise Stocker	Material recording clerks track product information in order to keep businesses and supply chains on schedule. They ensure proper scheduling, recordkeeping, and inventory control.	$11-16
   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
   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... Show more	$10-16

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Pallet Jack
   • Customer Service
   • Stock Shelves
   • Customer Satisfaction
   • Food Handling
   • Store Management
   • Inventory Control
   • Walmart
   • Retail Store
   • Store Shelves
   • Stock Merchandise
   • Merchandise Displays
   • Back Room
   • Stock Room

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Clean stock area and maintain cleanliness of retail area.
   • Use RF scanners to do price markdowns for monthly clearance.
   • Used RF scanners to track multiple product locations and expiration dates.
   • Perform courtesy task that includes locating items for customers and bagging groceries.
   • Perform additional duties as assigned (i.e maintain orders and cleanliness in the store and serve as cashier).
   • Greet customers while bagging their groceries, collect carts in parking lot, put away return items, general sanitation.

   More merchandise stocker duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your merchandise stocker job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A merchandise stocker can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, merchandise stockers' average salary in florida is 21% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level merchandise stockers 31% less than senior-level merchandise stockers.
   • Certifications. A merchandise stocker with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a merchandise stocker's salary.

   Average merchandise stocker salary

   $14.05hourly

   $29,224 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level merchandise stocker salary

   $24,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

   Average merchandise stocker salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Washington	$32,444	$16
   2	Oregon	$31,506	$15
   3	California	$31,362	$15
   4	New York	$31,227	$15
   5	Nevada	$30,353	$15
   6	Minnesota	$30,028	$14
   7	Pennsylvania	$29,852	$14
   8	Maryland	$29,725	$14
   9	Colorado	$29,494	$14
   10	Wisconsin	$29,120	$14
   11	Arizona	$28,774	$14
   12	Iowa	$28,753	$14
   13	North Dakota	$28,558	$14
   14	Ohio	$28,244	$14
   15	Michigan	$28,092	$14
   16	Texas	$27,822	$13
   17	Illinois	$27,795	$13
   18	Indiana	$27,360	$13
   19	Kentucky	$26,999	$13
   20	Louisiana	$26,540	$13

   Average merchandise stocker salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	PepsiCo	$36,399	$17.50	214
   2	Woodgrain	$34,171	$16.43	16
   3	The Coca-Cola Company	$32,798	$15.77	141
   4	Green Mountain Coffee Roasters	$32,151	$15.46
   5	Office Depot	$30,912	$14.86	18
   6	Total Wine & More	$30,037	$14.44	20
   7	Randstad North America, Inc.	$29,393	$14.13	2
   8	Pepsi MidAmerica	$29,338	$14.10	10
   9	Pacific Beverage Company	$29,327	$14.10	2
   10	Columbia Distributing Of Seattle LLC	$29,326	$14.10	5
   11	ManpowerGroup	$29,316	$14.09	117
   12	Pepsi Logistics	$29,297	$14.09
   13	Acosta	$29,111	$14.00	312
   14	Schwan's	$28,823	$13.86	211
   15	iNDEMAND	$28,520	$13.71
   16	Andrews Distributing	$28,514	$13.71	6
   17	Provantage	$28,151	$13.53
   18	Scheels	$27,929	$13.43	25
   19	Paradies Lagardère	$27,837	$13.38	24
   20	Michaels Stores	$27,680	$13.31	66

4. Writing a merchandise stocker job description

   A good merchandise stocker job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a merchandise stocker job description:

   Merchandise stocker job description example

   Essential Job Functions:
   
   * Stock all merchandise in its proper location according to shelf allocation established by management.
   * Provide efficient and courteous service to customers at all times.
   * Replace misplaced items to the proper location.
   * Unload trucks.
   * Sweep and mop all areas of store.
   * Check the shelf label of each item to ensure pricing accuracy.
   * Keep stockroom area neat and clean.
   * Properly remove and dispose of all trash.
   * Rotate all merchandise when stocking to ensure freshness and quality.
   * Clean and straighten shelves.
   * Responsible for hanging shelf tags.
   * Stack product in stockroom.
   * Bale all boxes.
   
   Job Qualifications:
   
   * Must be 18 years of age or older
   * Stocking experience a plus, but not required
   * Ability to meet standard Physical, Mental, and Visual demands
   * Ability to understand and follow verbal and/or written instructions, perform routine and repetitive tasks and have constant contact/interaction with various levels of individuals on a daily basis
   * Ability to attend on-site work during scheduled shifts to adhere to company time and attendance policies
   
   Benefits of working for Food City:
   
   401(k) with company match, Employee Stock Ownership Plan, Weekly Pay Checks with Direct Deposit, Company paid Life and Disability Insurance, Medical Plan with wellness benefits, Dental Plan, Paid Holidays, Paid Vacations, Associate Offers, and so much more!
   
   About Food City:
   
   Food City is a privately held, family-owned company with a driving mission to "run the best store in town." Dedicated to giving back to the communities we serve, we encourage our associates to get involved with their local civic organizations. We consider our associates to be our greatest asset. Over 13% of the company is currently owned by our associates through our employee stock ownership plan, promoting tremendous pride in the services and products we provide. Whether your passion is baking, accounting, or trucking, Food City has a promising career opportunity for you. We offer flexible schedules to ensure our associates have ample time to spend with family and friends. If you're looking for a great career or the opportunity to try something different, consider becoming part of the Food City family.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find merchandise stockers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with merchandise stocker candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates 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 merchandise stocker

   Once you've decided on a perfect merchandise stocker candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new merchandise stocker. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

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.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a merchandise stocker?