What does a return clerk do?
Return clerk responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real return clerk resumes:
- Manage all aspects of verifying incoming items and outgoing customer material release orders (MRO )
- Enter data from product returns to insure proper credit using AS400.
- Process and ship all recall merchandise using RMA numbers to receive credit.
- Search IBM AS400 database to ensure accurate refund payment and inventory entry.
- Administer access for WMS, NT accounts, and other access as deemed necessary by management.
- Train users in use of WMS applications; assist IE's in implementing work instructions for NB SIEMENS.
- Organize goods, secure lock up items and secure RTV cage when not attend and follow security procedures.
- Stock RTV area shelves and inspect item for leaks and jagg edges, store appropriately, and follows safety procedures.
- Maintain clean and sanitary operating environment; responsible for maintaining cleanliness of receiving area including loading dock and trash areas.
- Utilize MSDS standards and labele chemicals.
- Enter all updates on MSDS in catalog.
- Assist NMM personnel with creating and presenting PowerPoint presentations.
- Complete required company courses like material handling, safety, Microsoft windows application, MAPICS XA system and other courses.
- Compare shipping BOL with computer generate purchase order and receiving document for accuracy and reconcile differences.
Return clerk skills and personality traits
We calculated that 21% of Return Clerks are proficient in Customer Service, Data Entry, and RF Scanner. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Customer-service skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Return Clerks that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 21%
Contacted store representatives, regardless of affiliation, customer service representatives, and corporate accounting department to resolve credit related issues.
- Data Entry, 17%
Job assignment with Ryder Integrated Logistics, data entry, shipping and receiving product to be inventory, clean and repack.
- RF Scanner, 7%
Verified adjustments by using RF scanners and bar coding systems.
- Vendor Returns, 6%
Job Description: Receiving inventory into the AS400 system, and doing vendor returns
- Computer System, 6%
Conduct weekly cycle counts in order to reconcile what is on hand with the computer system.
- Defective Merchandise, 5%
Communicated with manufacturers regarding defective merchandise.
Most return clerks use their skills in "customer service," "data entry," and "rf scanner" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential return clerk responsibilities here:
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a return clerk to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what return clerks do because "material recording clerks are frequently in contact with suppliers, vendors, or managers and need to convey their company’s needs effectively." Additionally, a return clerk resume shows how return clerks use communication skills: "performed product inspection * validated customer credit * kept constant communication with customers and sales representatives. "
Customer-service skills. Another essential skill to perform return clerk duties is customer-service skills. Return clerks responsibilities require that "material recording clerks may interact with customers in order to respond to problems or complaints." Return clerks also use customer-service skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "pull customers' orders using a rf scanner and cherry picker. "
Detail oriented. This is an important skill for return clerks to perform their duties. For an example of how return clerk responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "material and product inspecting clerks must pay attention to detail when checking items for defects, some of which are small and difficult to spot." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a return clerk: "inventory, cycle count, data entry, filed created requisitions maintained detailed material log unloaded, operated forklift scanned documents".
Math skills. return clerk responsibilities often require "math skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "material recording clerks may need to calculate shipping costs or take measurements." This resume example shows what return clerks do with math skills on a typical day: "required strong math skills for inventory control. "
The three companies that hire the most return clerks are:
- BJ's Wholesale Club6 return clerks jobs
- SHI International3 return clerks jobs
- DISH Network1 return clerks jobs
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Compare different return clerks
Return clerk vs. Supply technician
In a warehouse setting, a supply technician is responsible for handling all the incoming and outgoing products, ensuring accuracy in inventory and logistics. Most of the time, they are in charge of maintaining and keeping records, loading and unloading shipments and deliveries, verifying invoices, and processing documents. A supply technician often works under the supervision of a manager or supervisor, and it is essential to report any complicated issues that need to be resolved. Furthermore, one must adhere to the policies and regulations and maintain a safe environment for everyone.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a return clerk are more likely to require skills like "rf scanner," "vendor returns," "computer system," and "defective merchandise." On the other hand, a job as a supply technician requires skills like "patients," "inventory management," "rehabilitation," and "storage management." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Supply technicians earn the highest salaries when working in the technology industry, with an average yearly salary of $50,167. On the other hand, return clerks are paid more in the automotive industry with an average salary of $33,568.The education levels that supply technicians earn slightly differ from return clerks. In particular, supply technicians are 2.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a return clerk. Additionally, they're 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Return clerk vs. Warehouse associate
Warehouse associates are employees who take on any task needed at the company warehouse. They receive incoming deliveries, store the items in their proper places, scan the items to log them into the company system, manage stocks and inventory, conduct product inspection to check for damages or defects, and maintain the overall cleanliness of the warehouse. Warehouse associates are also responsible for receiving purchase orders, assembling and packing products related to orders, checking the accuracy of the products relative to the order, and ensuring proper shipment of the products.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real return clerk resumes. While return clerk responsibilities can utilize skills like "data entry," "vendor returns," "defective merchandise," and "warehouse management," warehouse associates use skills like "pallets," "work ethic," "strong work ethic," and "basic math."
Warehouse associates earn a higher average salary than return clerks. But warehouse associates earn the highest pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $34,596. Additionally, return clerks earn the highest salaries in the automotive with average pay of $33,568 annually.In general, warehouse associates achieve similar levels of education than return clerks. They're 1.1% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Return clerk vs. Warehouse assistant
Warehouse assistants oversee a warehouse's stocks and products. Their primary responsibilities include receiving and sending products from the warehouse. They move materials and inventory across the facilities. It's their job to sort, organize, and keep stock in the right location. They are also responsible for issuing materials and other supplies for storage in the central warehouse. The skills they must acquire include road transportation, packing, stocking, loading, shipping, and general labor.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a return clerk is likely to be skilled in "data entry," "rf scanner," "vendor returns," and "defective merchandise," while a typical warehouse assistant is skilled in "pallets," "industrial trucks," "hand trucks," and "groceries."
Warehouse assistants make a very good living in the transportation industry with an average annual salary of $36,486. On the other hand, return clerks are paid the highest salary in the automotive industry, with average annual pay of $33,568.Most warehouse assistants achieve a similar degree level compared to return clerks. For example, they're 0.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Return clerk vs. Inventory specialist
An Inventory Specialist's responsibility is to oversee the inventory in a warehouse or establishment. Most of the tasks of an Inventory Specialist revolve around monitoring the requisition, storage, and deliveries of supplies and merchandise to ensure the quality and quantity of the products. Moreover, the Inventory Specialist also has the responsibility to coordinate with store management when issues arise, train newly hired staff to be a valuable part of the workforce, and provide inventory reports and records to the administration.
Types of return clerk
Updated January 8, 2025
