Warehouse Stock Clerks and Order Fillers

This Job Outlook and Career Forecast covers:

Warehouse Clerks; Warehouse Associates; Order fillers; Stock-control clerks; Merchandise Distributors; Property Custodians; Material Recording; Shipping and Receiving


Highlights For Warehouse Stock Clerks and Order Fillers

 * Stock clerks and order fillers usually are entry-level workers who learn through short-term on-the-job training.
 * Despite the projected decline in employment due to the use of automation in factories, warehouses, and stores, numerous job openings
 are expected due to replacement needs.
 * Because of automation, candidates who are familiar with computers and other electronic office and business equipment will have the best job prospects.
 
 
Nature of the Work For Warehouse Stock Clerks and Order Fillers
Stock clerks and order fillers get, unpack, check, store, track merchandise or materials, and pick up customer orders.
They keep records of items entering or leaving the stockroom and inspect damaged or spoiled goods. Stock clerks and order fillers sort, organize, and mark items with identifying codes, such as cost, stock, or stock control codes, so that inventories can be located quickly and basically. They also may be necessary to lift cartons of various sizes. In larger establishments, where they may be responsible for one task, they may be called stock-control clerks, merchandise distributors, or property custodians. In smaller firms, they also may perform tasks such as packing and mailing items, usually handled by shipping and receiving clerks. (A separate statement on shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks appears elsewhere in the Handbook.)

In lots of firms, stock clerks and order fillers use hand-held scanners connected to computers to keep inventories up to date. In retail stores, stock clerks bring merchandise to the sales floor and stock shelves and racks. In stockrooms and warehouses, stock clerks store materials in bins, on floors, or on shelves. In lieu of putting the merchandise on the sales floor or on shelves, order fillers take customers’ orders and either hold the merchandise until the customers can pick it up or send it to them.

Work surroundings. Working conditions vary considerably by employment setting. Most jobs for stock clerks and order fillers involve frequent standing, bending, running, and stretching. Some lifting and carrying of smaller items also may be involved. Although automated devices have diminished the physical demands of this occupation, their use remains limited. Although mechanical material handling equipment is employed to move heavy items, the work still can be strenuous.

Evening and weekend hours are common and may be necessary when huge shipments are involved or when stock is taken. Chec out the latest job opportunities in Warehouse and Production Industry.

Job Category: Warehouse & Production

Source: GeneralJobs.com