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What does a stocker do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
What does a stocker do

Stockers are responsible for displaying items for sale in the store. They manage the shelves and ensure that items are on display at all times. Aside from that, stockers also assist in managing the inventory. Since they mostly work on the operations floor, they know which items are getting sold faster. As such, they should be able to prompt inventory managers should stocks run low. They are also in charge of putting up promotional materials and removing them once the promotions are over. Stockers should also be familiar with the items sold in the store since customers are likely to approach them for questions that they may have.

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Stocker responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real stocker resumes:

  • Require to possess basic math and reading skills as well as complete all Walmart training programs.
  • Rotated/Stock perishables and other items on store shelves, swept/mop store floors, clean store shelves and freezers.
  • Stock dairy department and any customer assistance need.
  • Distribute inventory with accuracy -provide customer service -cleane store-Analyzed inventory and used math skills to report deficiencies
  • Provide courteous and professional customer service by locating products, bagging and unload groceries and presenting general store information.
  • Level concrete using trowels and shovels.
  • Use a PDA system and auto-fill orders.
  • Experience working in logistics with scaffolds and ladders.
  • Train employees on proper FIFO procedures and stocking standards.
  • Stock new merchandise in orderly manner using FIFO method.
  • Use of PDA to properly store and remove items from stocking.
  • Receive supplies, equipment, and perishables, semi perishable, non-perishable items.
  • Prescribe stacking arrangements and properly labeling pallets.
  • Improve freight movement by implementing new pallet organization for specific items.
  • Maintain restaurant and grounds cleanliness; quickly responding and resolving any unsafe/sanitary issues for the customers.

Stocker skills and personality traits

We calculated that 14% of Stockers are proficient in Pallets, Strong Customer Service, and Stock Merchandise. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Customer-service skills, and Detail oriented.

We break down the percentage of Stockers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Pallets, 14%

    Improved freight movement by implementing new pallet organization for specific items.

  • Strong Customer Service, 12%

    Exemplify strong customer service, ensuring that customers are satisfied and educated on products and services.

  • Stock Merchandise, 10%

    Down stock merchandise to ensure product availability.

  • Stock Shelves, 8%

    Job Responsibilities: Stocking shelves, pulling merchandise from back room to stock shelves, assisting customers, cleaning assigned area.

  • Cleanliness, 8%

    Maintained adequate supply of product while ensuring cleanliness and quality.

  • Store Shelves, 7%

    Job responsibilities included stocking store shelves, unloading merchandise and general organization of store items

Most stockers use their skills in "pallets," "strong customer service," and "stock merchandise" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential stocker responsibilities here:

Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a stocker to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "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." Stockers often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "supervised stocking maintained cleanliness of facilities developed communication skills with customers"

Customer-service skills. Many stocker duties rely on customer-service skills. "stock clerks sometimes interact with customers in retail stores and may have to get the item the customer is looking for from the storeroom.," so a stocker will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways stocker responsibilities rely on customer-service skills: "maintained restaurant and grounds cleanliness; quickly responding and resolving any unsafe/sanitary issues for the customers. "

Detail oriented. stockers are also known for detail oriented, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to stocker responsibilities, because "material and product inspecting clerks check items for defects, some of which are small and difficult to spot." A stocker resume example shows how detail oriented is used in the workplace: "maintained overall cleanliness of store; detailed shelves, racks, bathrooms, windows, and equipment used daily. "

Math skills. stocker responsibilities often require "math skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "some material recording clerks use math to calculate shipping costs or take measurements." This resume example shows what stockers do with math skills on a typical day: "distributed inventory with accuracy -provided customer service -cleaned store-analyzed inventory and used math skills to report deficiencies"

See the full list of stocker skills

The three companies that hire the most stockers are:

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Compare different stockers

Stocker vs. Merchandiser

Merchandisers are employees working for a retail company. Merchandisers are mainly responsible for the store's products. They curate products that are in line with the store's branding. Merchandisers create purchase requisitions and, upon receipt of the products, create displays that would attract the customers. They also ensure that the inventory of the store is well-stocked. Merchandisers should be up to date with current market trends. They should also be familiar with what customers need and want. It is important for merchandisers to know their company's branding by heart. Merchandisers should be able to create good relationships with vendors as well so that their store may be chosen for special promotions.

The annual salary of merchandisers is $1,115 higher than the average salary of stockers.Even though stockers and merchandisers are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require pallets, stock merchandise, and stock shelves in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a stocker are more likely to require skills like "strong customer service," "cleanliness," "dexterity," and "math." On the other hand, a job as a merchandiser requires skills like "pet," "back room," "pos," and "sales floor." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Merchandisers really shine in the education industry with an average salary of $35,386. Comparatively, stockers tend to make the most money in the retail industry with an average salary of $30,438.merchandisers tend to reach similar levels of education than stockers. In fact, merchandisers are 1.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Stocker vs. Inventory associate

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.

Inventory associate positions earn higher pay than stocker roles. They earn a $131 higher salary than stockers per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both stockers and inventory associates have skills such as "stock merchandise," "stock shelves," and "dexterity. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, stocker responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "pallets," "strong customer service," "cleanliness," and "store shelves." Meanwhile, an inventory associate has duties that require skills in areas such as "ladders," "strong work ethic," "work ethic," and "wis." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Inventory associates earn a higher average salary than stockers. But inventory associates earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $31,296. Additionally, stockers earn the highest salaries in the retail with average pay of $30,438 annually.inventory associates earn similar levels of education than stockers in general. They're 0.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Stocker 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.

On average scale, overnight stock associates bring in higher salaries than stockers. In fact, they earn a $2,434 higher salary per year.Using the responsibilities included on stockers and overnight stock associates resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "stock merchandise," "customer service," and "electric pallet jack.rdquo;

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, stockers are more likely to have skills like "pallets," "strong customer service," "stock shelves," and "cleanliness." But a overnight stock associate is more likely to have skills like "excellent organizational," "sales floor," "stock deliveries," and "inventory control."

Most overnight stock associates achieve a similar degree level compared to stockers. For example, they're 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Stocker vs. Produce clerk

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.

Produce clerks tend to earn a higher pay than stockers by an average of $1,886 per year.While their salaries may vary, stockers and produce clerks both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "stock shelves," "cleanliness," and "dexterity. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between stockers and produce clerks, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a stocker might have more use for skills like "pallets," "strong customer service," "stock merchandise," and "store shelves." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of produce clerks require skills like "product knowledge," "sales floor," "food handling," and "good communication. "

The retail industry tends to pay the highest salaries for produce clerks, with average annual pay of $31,675. Comparatively, the highest stocker annual salary comes from the retail industry.The average resume of produce clerks showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to stockers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 0.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.0%.

Types of stocker

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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