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Produce clerk vs inventory associate

The differences between produce clerks and inventory associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a produce clerk has an average salary of $31,822, which is higher than the $30,067 average annual salary of an inventory associate.

The top three skills for a produce clerk include product knowledge, math and sales floor. The most important skills for an inventory associate are ladders, strong work ethic, and work ethic.

Produce clerk vs inventory associate overview

Produce ClerkInventory Associate
Yearly salary$31,822$30,067
Hourly rate$15.30$14.46
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs79,419184,462
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 39%High School Diploma, 42%
Average age3838
Years of experience--

What does a produce clerk do?

Produce clerks are responsible for ensuring that the grocery store's fruits and vegetables are displayed orderly and pleasantly to the customers. They check to produce to guarantee that it is fresh and has no defects. Their tasks include stocking of products, providing services like answering customers' queries, handling food, maintaining equipment, and providing general help to the other store employees in need. They must have relevant experience in stocking grocery stores and handling product presentation and should have concrete knowledge in the rotation and maintenance of the store's produce.

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.

Produce clerk vs inventory associate salary

Produce clerks and inventory associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

Produce ClerkInventory Associate
Average salary$31,822$30,067
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $37,000Between $24,000 And $37,000
Highest paying CityNovato, CASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaWashington
Best paying companyUnited Natural FoodsPhillips 66
Best paying industryRetailTechnology

Differences between produce clerk and inventory associate education

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

Produce ClerkInventory Associate
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 39%High School Diploma, 42%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Produce clerk vs inventory associate demographics

Here are the differences between produce clerks' and inventory associates' demographics:

Produce ClerkInventory Associate
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 76.1% Female, 23.9%Male, 59.5% Female, 40.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 20.2% Asian, 6.4% White, 58.3% 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 produce clerk and inventory associate duties and responsibilities

Produce clerk example responsibilities.

  • Train in customer service functions, camera and video monitoring, and POS systems checkout.
  • Work in fast pace environment while providing customer service and creating excellent product detail while maintaining cleanliness of department.
  • Handle and order inventory, as well as utilized FIFO strategies.
  • Operate meat and cheese slicers, oven, cutting tools, scales and other deli equipment.
  • Unload trucks and store all products in designate coolers and storage areas using the FIFO method.
  • Maintain cleanliness of the produce storeroom by routinely cleaning and sanitizing surfaces according to health code regulations.
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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

Produce clerk vs inventory associate skills

Common produce clerk skills
  • Product Knowledge, 11%
  • Math, 10%
  • Sales Floor, 9%
  • Basic Math, 8%
  • Food Handling, 7%
  • Cleanliness, 4%
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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