How to hire a shelf stocker

How to hire a shelf stocker, step by step

Here's a step-by-step shelf 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 shelf stocker job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new shelf stocker
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a shelf stocker, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A shelf stocker's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, shelf 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.

   The following list breaks down different types of shelf stockers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Shelf Stocker	Description	Hourly rate
   Shelf 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.	$10-16
   Merchandiser	Merchandisers are employees working for a retail company. Merchandisers are mainly responsible for the store's products... Show more	$11-18
   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:

   • Store Shelves
   • Pallet Jack
   • Customer Service
   • Stock Shelves
   • Groceries
   • Expiration Dates
   • Back Room
   • Grocery Store
   • RAN
   • Stock Room
   • Windows
   • Delivery Truck
   • Unload Trucks
   • Display Cases

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Develop strong customer communication skills by carrying out customer's groceries to their cars.
   • Maintain restaurant and grounds cleanliness; quickly responding and resolving any unsafe/sanitary issues for the customers.
   • Maintain and manipulate Barcode inventory systems.

   More shelf stocker duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the shelf stocker job description is a good way to get more applicants. A shelf stocker salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a shelf stocker in North Carolina may be lower than in Alaska, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level shelf stocker. Additionally, a shelf stocker with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average shelf stocker salary

   $13.75hourly

   $28,598 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level shelf stocker salary

   $22,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 18, 2025

   Average shelf stocker salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Ohio	$29,681	$14
   2	Arizona	$28,263	$14
   3	Virginia	$25,995	$13
   4	Florida	$25,894	$12
   5	South Carolina	$24,584	$12

   Average shelf stocker salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Hensley Beverage Co	$29,652	$14.26	7
   2	PeopleReady	$28,439	$13.67	2
   3	Brevard Achievement Center	$28,058	$13.49
   4	Goodwill Easter Seals Miami Valley	$27,731	$13.33
   5	Challenge Unlimited	$25,649	$12.33

4. Writing a shelf stocker job description

   A good shelf 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 shelf stocker job description:

   Shelf stocker job description example

   MISSION:
   
   The mission of BAC is to provide persons with disabilities innovative services and opportunities to achieve personal success.
   
   SUMMARY:
   
   Perform Shelf Stocking duties at Patrick Space Force Base Commissary in an efficient and effective manner. Reports to the site leadership team.
   
   ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
   
   Wipe clean empty shelf areas to assure they are free from debris and dust
   
   * Check UP labels are correct on the shelf and matches stock
   * Rotate merchandise on the shelf using a first-in/first-out (FIFO) system
   * Remove damaged goods from shelves to the rework cart
   * Place all empty boxes and trash in designated area for removal
   * Maintain supplies and equipment under established procedures
   * Maintain worksheet for cases stocked and hours worked in specified aisles daily
   * Perform other specified tasks as requested
   
   MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
   
   * No minimum experience is required
   * Must be able to pass a background screening for access to the work areas
   * Must pass a pre-employment drug test
   * Must be authorized to work in the U.S.
   * Where permitted by applicable law must have received the COVID-19 vaccine in full by the date of hire to be considered for employment (unless otherwise exempted from this policy by an approved medical or religious exemption).
   
   PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
   
   * Prior experience in a retail environment preferred
   
   OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:
   
   * Must be able to work harmoniously in a team environment with a diverse workforce
   * Work at a reasonable pace for the job duties assigned and physical ability
   * Good communication skills (e.g., able to effectively respond to common inquiries or complaints)
   * Able to follow basic instructions with or without a reasonable accommodation
   * Reasoning Ability: Able to identify issues or problems, evaluate and draw valid conclusions.
   * Attentive to detail for quality performance.
   
   SAFETY & ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
   
   * Tasks are regularly performed inside without exposure to adverse environmental conditions (e.g., dirt, heat, cold, rain, fumes).
   * Will need to use any personal protective (safety) equipment as designated properly and consistently.
   * Required training provided by the company.
   * Some tasks may be performed independently with little supervision.
   
   WORK AUTHORIZATION/SECURITY CLEARANCE
   
   Must be authorized to access and work on government installations.
   
   PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
   
   Requirements will vary depending on the assigned tasks. This position does require the following: repetitive lifting, push/pull, carrying, walking, climbing, squatting, kneeling, and prolonged standing. Will involve lifting/moving up to 30 pounds. These requirements can be met with or without reasonable accommodations.
   
   SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:
   
   Some tasks require manual dexterity.
   
   Availability:
   
   * Part-time
   
   Shift Nights: 7pm - 3:30am
   
   Rate of Pay $15.00
   
   Benefits :
   
   * Free medical insurance for employees
   * Paid holidays per contract
   * Paid vacation (Available to use after one year of employment, based on hours worked)
   * Paid sick days
   * Optional 401K (After one year of employment)
   * Other optional benefits available include Life Insurance, Short Term Disability, Cancer Care, and Dental Insurance
   
   Accepting applications until positions filled
   
   Applications may be completed through our website:

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find shelf 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 shelf stocker job on Zippia to find and recruit shelf stocker candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with shelf 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.

   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 shelf stocker

   Once you have selected a candidate for the shelf stocker position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new shelf stocker first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

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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