The job of order clerks and stock fillers is to unpack, receive, store, check, and track materials and merchandise and pick up customer's orders. They also keep track of materials leaving or entering the stockroom and examine spoiled and damaged goods.
Job Prospect
Order fillers and stock clerks organize, sort, and mark items using identifying codes such as stock, price, or inventory control code. They use these codes to locate inventories easily and quickly. Sometimes, they need to move and lift cartons of different sizes. In some larger organizations, stock clerks and order fillers may stick to one particular task. These clerks are called merchandise distributors, stock control clerks, or property custodians.
In smaller firms, they may execute tasks such as mailing and packing items, generally, handled by receiving and shipping clerks. In some firms, order fillers and stock clerks use scanners that are connected to computers to keep records updated. In many retail stores, stock clerks and order fillers bring merchandise to racks, stock shelves, and sales floor. In warehouses and stockrooms, stock clerks place materials on shelves, floors, and in bins. Instead of placing the goods on the shelves, or sales floor, order fillers receive customer's orders.
Work Environment
Order fillers and stock clerks work in a variety of conditions in different employment setting. Many jobs for order fillers and stock clerks involve frequent bending, standing, stretching, and walking. Sometimes, these workers have to move, lift, and carry small items. The emergence of automated devices has minimized the physical demand of this profession. However, their use is somewhat limited. These worker use automated devices to move heavy materials, therefore, the job can be strenuous. Weekend and evening hours are common.
Educational Qualification
Generally, order fillers and stock clerks are entry-level workers who need a high school diploma or GED. Some employers offer on-the-job training under close supervision of experienced workers. New employees are given special training in how to mark and count stock, take inventory, and keep record. They are given practical exercises in automated equipments. New workers many need longer periods to acquire the work-knowledge.
Stock clerks and order fillers need to have good eyesight, stamina, strength, and ability to perform work under stress. Order fillers and stock clerks deal with liquor, drug, and jewelry may be bonded. Most employers prefer to employ candidates who have knowledge of business equipment, electronic office, and computers. Typing, recordkeeping, filing, and other clerical skills are important to get good job.
Advancement
Advancement opportunities for order fillers and stock clerks differ with the place of employment. With the help of additional training, some of the workers advance to the jobs as supervisors, purchasing agents, warehouse leads, and other jobs such as inventory control.
Employment
Order fillers and stock clerks held approximately 1.7 million jobs in 2006. Some of them work in retail and wholesale trade while others work in grocery stores and department stores. These workers may find jobs in most urban areas where there are warehouses, shopping centers and factories.
Job Outlook
Employment of order fillers and stock clerks is projected to turn down as a result of automation in warehouses, stores, and factories. Nevertheless, various job openings shall occur every year due to the requirement to replace workers who give up the profession. Candidates who have good knowledge of computer and business equipment will have better future in this field.
Employment Change
Employment of order fillers and stock clerks is predicted to get down reasonably by eight percent over the 2006 to 2016 period. The increasing use of computers for installation of automated and new equipment and inventory control are expected to slow down growth in demand for order fillers and stock clerks. This slow down may appear, especially, in wholesale trade and manufacturing industries where operations are automated easily.
Many establishments use computerized inventory control systems to soft products efficiently. Some firms in these industries are depending upon classier conveyor belts and automated high stackers to retrieve and store goods. The increasing use of driver less, automatically guided, and battery powered vehicles can be predicted.
The growing role of warehouses, large retail outlets, mail, catalog, internet shopping services, and telephone strengthened employment of order fillers and stock clerks in the area of retail trade.
Employment Opportunities
The growing number of jobs will be available due to replacement of needs. Candidates who have utmost knowledge of computers may have good job prospect as every firm employ automated devices to execute their tasks efficiently. The arrival of automated devices in this field may not affect employment as most of the work is performed manually. Order fillers and stock clerks work in general merchandise, grocery, department stores, accessory, and apparel where every time it is not possible to execute the tasks using automated devices. Therefore, employment in this field will not be minimized to expert professionals. Finally, workers in this field are less affected by automation.