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How to hire a sales/stock associate

Sales/stock associate hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring sales/stock associates in the United States:

  • There are currently 149,513 sales/stock associates in the US, as well as 401,752 job openings.
  • Sales/stock associates are in the highest demand in New York, NY, with 9 current job openings.
  • The median cost to hire a sales/stock associate is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new sales/stock associate to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a sales/stock associate, step by step

To hire a sales/stock associate, you should create an ideal candidate profile, determine a budget, and post and promote your job. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a sales/stock associate:

Here's a step-by-step sales/stock associate hiring guide:

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

    Before you post your sales/stock associate 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 sales/stock associate 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?

    A sales/stock associate's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, sales/stock associates 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.

    Here's a comparison of sales/stock associate salaries for various roles:

    Type of Sales/Stock AssociateDescriptionHourly rate
    Sales/Stock AssociateMaterial recording clerks track product information in order to keep businesses and supply chains on schedule. They ensure proper scheduling, recordkeeping, and inventory control.$11-18
    Stock ClerkStock clerks are store employees who handle the display of goods. They ensure that store shelves are well-stocked at all times... Show more$10-17
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Kids
    • Store Locations
    • Store Shelves
    • Stock Room
    • Stock Shelves
    • Product Knowledge
    • POS
    • Customer Service
    • Pallet Jack
    • Loss Prevention
    • Sales Associates
    • Back Room
    • Inventory Control
    • Stock Merchandise
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Supervise women's department, manage jewelry department, assist customers on finalizing purchases
    • Stock shelves with books using RF technology.
    • Scan inventory into system using a RF scanner.
    • Can operate a POS system cash register and count the money to ensure the correct amount.
    • Used in-house POS to ring up purchases in-store and by phone as well as to search national inventory database.
    • Maintain cleanliness according to regulate standards throughout the facilities, both inside and outside per organizations regulations.
  3. Make a budget

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

    • Location. For example, sales/stock associates' average salary in oklahoma is 31% less than in california.
    • Seniority. Entry-level sales/stock associates 37% less than senior-level sales/stock associates.
    • Certifications. A sales/stock associate 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 sales/stock associate's salary.

    Average sales/stock associate salary

    $14.66hourly

    $30,494 yearly

    Entry-level sales/stock associate salary
    $24,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 21, 2026
  4. Writing a sales/stock associate job description

    A good sales/stock associate 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 sales/stock associate job description:

    Sales/stock associate job description example

    Ring's End, Inc. is seeking a determined full-time Paint Sales/Stock and Delivery in Darien , CT in order to keep our paint operations running smoothly. This position earns a competitive pay and is eligible for great benefits , including traditional and Roth 401K, 3% 401K safe harbor company contribution, various medical insurance plans, FSA & DCA, employee discounts on our products and materials, life/accidental death & dismemberment insurance, long & short-term disability, paid holidays, paid time off (PTO), employee assistance program, and a legal counseling program. If this retail opportunity sounds like the right job for you, keep reading !

    Are you a hard worker who genuinely cares about your customers and will go out of your way to make them happy? Are you interested in teaming up with an established building material retailer to fortify your skills ? If yes, complete our initial 3-minute, mobile-friendly application for this Customer Service / Sales Associate position because we want to meet you!


    ABOUT RING'S END INC

    We are a Connecticut-based lumber and building materials retailer serving Connecticut, South County, Rhode Island, and Westchester County, New York. We are a third-generation, family-run company with a rich history dating back to 1902. Guided by a tradition of service and a commitment to innovation, we are dedicated to becoming the premier resource in the building material industry for builders and remodelers, painting contractors, architects, and homeowners.

    Our growth and success are due to our team of professionals. We employ the best team in the industry, ensuring we maintain a diverse and evolving work environment that values cooperation and teamwork . We look for innovation and continuous improvement in everything we do. We're looking for more to join us!


    A DAY IN THE LIFE AS A PAINT SALES/STOCK AND DELIVERY

    As a Paint Sales Associate, you help in our paint centers to assist our customers with color choices and finishes. You are kept busy with various tasks, from keeping our paint center showrooms neat and clean, handling telephone calls, greeting and helping clients in the store, handling point-of-sale transactions, and creating purchase orders for products. This position requires the incumbent to sell paint, and paint accessories, keep shelves stocked, and deliver materials to contractors, builders and homeowners. The right candidate will be flexible and adaptable to the changes that quickly affect this job. Exceptional customer service and problem solving skills are a must as well as a clean driving record. Fluent in English and Spanish is a plus! You feel accomplished using your knowledge and skills to help our clients!


    QUALIFICATIONS

    Duties include, but are not limited to:

    -Sell the maximum output of allotted products at authorized prices, and in accordance with established merchandising plans and policies

    -Correspond with regular customer contacts and potential customers promoting the sale of all Ring's End products

    -Instruct customers on use of products

    -Handle instances of consumer dissatisfaction and specific customer complaints fairly, promptly, and effectively, and recommend adjustments to management

    -Stock Shelves with appropriate merchandise

    -Deliver merchandise to customer homes and job sites

    Do you have a positive attitude that contributes to a high company morale? Are you goal-oriented and self-motivated? Can you connect with our customers and build strong relationships? Are you an effective communicator? Do you present yourself professionally? If so, you may be perfect for this full-time retail position! Apply now!



    Job Posted by ApplicantPro
  5. Post your job

    To find sales/stock associates for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any sales/stock associates they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level sales/stock associates with the right educational background.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your sales/stock associate job on Zippia to find and recruit sales/stock associate candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Your first interview with sales/stock associate 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.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you 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 sales/stock associate

    Once you've found the sales/stock associate candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

    It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new sales/stock associate. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

  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.)
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How much does it cost to hire a sales/stock associate?

There are different types of costs for hiring sales/stock associates. One-time cost per hire for the recruitment process. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, onboarding, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider all of these costs when evaluating hiring a new sales/stock associate employee.

You can expect to pay around $30,494 per year for a sales/stock associate, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for sales/stock associates in the US typically range between $11 and $18 an hour.

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