What does a stock handler do?
Stock handler responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real stock handler resumes:
- Manage the work area for all OSHA compliance and facility safety during schedule shift.
- Distribute production materials to designate locations on assembly lines observing the first-in-first-out (FIFO) inventory control practice.
- Work as fast as possible to meet ROSS optimal time.
Stock handler skills and personality traits
We calculated that 21% of Stock Handlers are proficient in Pallet Jack, Computer System, and Safety Guidelines. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Math skills, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Stock Handlers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Pallet Jack, 21%
Moved products and pallets to staging areas and trucks using a forklift, hand pallet jack, and electric pallet jack.
- Computer System, 15%
Used Purchasing computer system to identify recipients of unnamed packages thereby ensuring timely delivery.
- Safety Guidelines, 10%
Monitor transportation and storage of flammable and other potentially dangerous products to ensure that safety guidelines are followed.
- Math, 9%
Used shop math, read flow charts and kept records of items entering and leaving with identifying codes.
- Pallets, 6%
Filled requisitions by loading pallets with gas and electric material needed for requisitions and/or other National Grid facilities.
- Safety Rules, 5%
Followed work procedures and safety rules with the ability to read, understand, and follow directions/instructions.
Most stock handlers use their skills in "pallet jack," "computer system," and "safety guidelines" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential stock handler responsibilities here:
Detail oriented. The most essential soft skill for a stock handler to carry out their responsibilities is detail oriented. This skill is important for the role because "material and product inspecting clerks check items for defects, some of which are small and difficult to spot." Additionally, a stock handler resume shows how their duties depend on detail oriented: "required to pay attention to detail for customer orders and verify quality and customer satisfaction. "
Math skills. Another essential skill to perform stock handler duties is math skills. Stock handlers responsibilities require that "some material recording clerks use math to calculate shipping costs or take measurements." Stock handlers also use math skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "call in maintenance codes.skills used basic math skills accurate measurements and estimates"
Communication skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of stock handlers is communication skills. This skill is critical to many everyday stock handler duties, as "production, planning, and expediting clerks are frequently in contact with suppliers, vendors, and production managers and need to communicate the firm’s scheduling needs effectively." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "keep great communication with lead men, supervisors, machine operators. "
Customer-service skills. For certain stock handler responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "customer-service skills." The day-to-day duties of a stock handler rely on this skill, as "stock clerks sometimes interact with customers in retail stores and may have to get the item the customer is looking for from the storeroom." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what stock handlers do: "worded on computer systems, linux & microsoft xp answered phones, took orders from customers. "
The three companies that hire the most stock handlers are:
- MSC Industrial Direct Co35 stock handlers jobs
- A-dec8 stock handlers jobs
- Newell Brands6 stock handlers jobs
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Compare different stock handlers
Stock handler 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.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between stock handlers and warehouse associate. For instance, stock handler responsibilities require skills such as "pallet jack," "osha," "production lines," and "cdl." Whereas a warehouse associate is skilled in "work ethic," "strong work ethic," "customer service," and "warehouse environment." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Warehouse associates earn the highest salaries when working in the manufacturing industry, with an average yearly salary of $34,596. On the other hand, stock handlers are paid more in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $43,866.On average, warehouse associates reach similar levels of education than stock handlers. Warehouse associates are 0.4% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Stock handler vs. Material handler/forklift operator
A material handler and forklift operator is responsible for transporting and storing various kinds of goods, even including fragile or hazardous shipments. The duties and location will vary depending on the line of work or industry involved. However, most of the tasks will require efficiency in operating machinery, communication skills, and great attention to detail. Furthermore, a material handler and forklift operator must monitor products and keep an accurate record of overall activities, transport materials within allotted time and schedule, and maintain communication and coordination with co-workers and supervisors.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that stock handler responsibilities requires skills like "pallet jack," "math," "basic math," and "osha." But a material handler/forklift operator might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "safety procedures," "electric pallet jack," "forklift operation," and "sit-down forklift."
Material handler/forklift operators earn a lower average salary than stock handlers. But material handler/forklift operators earn the highest pay in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $37,909. Additionally, stock handlers earn the highest salaries in the manufacturing with average pay of $43,866 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Material handler/forklift operators tend to reach similar levels of education than stock handlers. In fact, they're 0.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Stock handler vs. Overnight stock associate
An overnight stock associate is responsible for monitoring the adequacy of store merchandise after normal operating hours. Overnight stock associates load the shelves and arrange product displays as per the store's requirements during off-hours when there are no other employees and customers around. They also receive items from distribution centers, verify the order details, inspect the package for any defects, process replacements, and update inventory records. An overnight stock associate checks the validity of the items upon stocking, eliminating expired products, and notify the management for order requests.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a stock handler is likely to be skilled in "pallet jack," "computer system," "safety guidelines," and "math," while a typical overnight stock associate is skilled in "excellent organizational," "customer service," "electric pallet jack," and "display cases."
Most overnight stock associates achieve a similar degree level compared to stock handlers. For example, they're 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Stock handler vs. Merchandise stocker
A merchandise stocker is an employee who ensures that shelves and aisles are stocked with the merchandise in retail stores or warehouses. Merchandise stockers must receive the goods, unload or unpack them, mark them with codes to be identified, and stock them on shelves. They help customers to fill orders through mail, web, or phone while preparing the customers' merchandise for shipment. They must also operate a forklift so that they can lift or place merchandise at the assigned shelves.
Types of stock handler
Updated January 8, 2025
