Michigan Occupational Information System
 #093 - STOCK HANDLER  

Stock Handlers perform various tasks involved in moving, marking, stocking, and displaying products in retail stores, wholesale businesses, and stock departments of manufacturing companies.  

NATURE OF THE OCCUPATION

Stock Handlers may:  

Select merchandise from storage areas and take it to sales floor  

Open cases of merchandise and mark prices on items  

Place merchandise on shelves or racks  

Rotate items so oldest stock will be sold first  

Set up product displays  

Repack merchandise to be returned to suppliers  

Clean up work area after merchandise has been stocked  

Keep an inventory of material stocked  

Mark order forms to order merchandise  

Tools and equipment used may include:  

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Stock Handlers may specialize in these areas:  

299.367-014 SELF-SERVICE STORE STOCK CLERKS stock, mark, and display merchandise in retail stores.  

922.687-058 PRODUCE CLERKS receive, store, and distribute produce in grocery stores or supermarkets.  

920.687-014 BAGGERS pack groceries and non-food items in sacks or cartons and place them in shopping carts for customers. They also replace packing supplies at checkout counters and clean the work area. In addition, they may collect shopping carts from parking areas and return them to the store.  

222.487-014 ORDER FILLERS fill customers' telephone and mail orders by obtaining the merchandise from stock areas. They compute prices of items and send the merchandise to the wrapping area to be prepared for shipping.  

922.687-058 STORES LABORERS perform various tasks involved in receiving, storing, and distributing materials, equipment, and products within an establishment.  

222.387-018 FUEL-OIL CLERK  

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:  

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Most Stock Handlers work under the supervision of a head stock clerk or a stock or supply supervisor. They generally do their work alone.  

Stock Handlers usually work in clean, well lighted, and well heated or air-conditioned surroundings when stocking shelves and performing other duties. However, some stockrooms are damp and drafty. Handlers working with frozen or refrigerated products must spend some time in cold storage areas. They spend a great deal of time on their feet.  

Work is usually steady and year-round. However, peaks in the work load often occur around the holidays.  

Although some work part-time, most Stock Clerks work a 40-hour week. Because many retail stores are open 7 days a week, Handlers must often work weekends. Evening, night, and shift work may also be necessary in stores that are open for long periods. Some overtime work may be necessary during peak periods.  

Many Stock Handlers belong to unions. Those working in the manufacturing industry or in hospitals generally belong to the unions representing other workers in the same establishment. The largest union representing Stock Handlers working in retail stores is The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union. Union members must pay dues.  

You Should Prefer:  

• Performing routine, organized work  

• Performing work that involves little direct contact with the public  

• Working with things and objects  

You Should Be Able To:  

• Make judgments and decisions based on measurable information  

• Work accurately  

• Compare differences in size/shape/form of lines/objects/other figures  

• Picture objects on shelves/racks & determine amount to stock  

• Count and keep records accurately  

• Work well with your hands and fingers  

• Perform a variety of duties  

• Repeat activities/tasks following a routine procedure or sequence  

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:  

Based on how much produce was purchased last year, determine how much needs to be ordered for next year.  

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:  

Work orders, such as, restock shelves 31 and 32, and take down display window number 12"  

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:  

Prepare a written statement of inventory for the end of the year.  

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:  

The ability to think ahead to what merchandise will be needed before it is needed.  

Stock Handlers working with food items must obtain health cards stating that they are free of contagious disease. Contact local County Health Departments to find out local requirements.  

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School Diploma or Equivalent may qualify a person for this occupation.  

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:  

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***  

0600 BUSINESS , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 1100 ECONOMICS , 2200 MATH

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***  

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this MOIScript  

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***  

There are no Postsecondary Programs related to this MOIScript  

                 Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***  

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript  

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***  

Please check the Military web site at http://www.myfuture.com  

SUPPLY AND WAREHOUSING SPECIALISTS  

The military maintains a large inventory of food, medicines, ammunition, spare parts, and other supplies. Keeping the military's supply system operating smoothly is an important job. The lives of combat troops in the field may depend in receiving the right supplies on time. Stock and inventory specialist receive, store, record, and issue military supplies.  

What They Do  

Supply and warehousing specialists in the military perform some or all of the following duties:  

• Perform inventory and financial management procedures, including ordering, receiving, and storing supplies  

• Locate and catalog stock, usually using microfiche viewers  

• Verify the quantity and description of stock received  

• Give special handling to medicine, ammunition, and other delicate supplies  

• Select the correct stock for issue  

• Load, unload, and move stock using equipment such as forklifts and hand trucks  

• Keep records on incoming and outgoing stock  

Training Provided  

Job training consists of 4 to 6 weeks of classroom instruction, including practice in handling and storing stock. Course content typically includes:  

• Stock control and accounting procedures  

• Procedures for shipping, receiving, storing, and issuing stock  

• Procedures for handling medical and food supplies  

• Movement, storage, and maintenance of ammunition  

Further training occurs on the job and through advanced courses.  

Work Environment  

Supply and warehousing specialists work in large general supply centers, small specialized supply rooms, or ship storerooms.  

Physical Demand  

Supply and warehousing specialists may have to lift and carry heavy boxes of ammunition and other supplies. Normal color vision is required for specialties that handle color-coded parts, supplies, and ammunition.  

Helpful Attributes  

Helpful school subjects include math, bookkeeping, accounting, business administration, and typing. Helpful attributes include:  

• Ability to keep accurate records  

• Preference for physical work  

• Interest in operating forklifts and other warehouse equipment  

• Preference for work requiring attention to detail  

Civilian Counterparts  

Civilian supply and warehousing specialists work for factories, parts departments in repair shops, department stores, and government warehouses and stockrooms. They perform duties similar to military stock and inventory specialists. Civilian stock and inventory specialists may also be called stock control clerks, parts clerks, or storekeepers.  

Opportunities  

The services have about 65,430 supply and warehousing specialists. On average, they need about 5,500 new specialists each year. After job training, specialists stock shelves, learn about different parts and supplies, and fill supply requests. In time, they also estimate needs, order stock, and supervise others. Eventually, they may become superintendents of supply centers.  

  E-Learning Courses and Programs

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

You may gain experience through summer or part-time work in grocery stores, drug stores, and other types of retail stores.  

School-to-Work opportunities include:  

informal apprenticeships  

mentorships  

job shadowing experiences  

touring a local Stock Handler employer  

internships  

volunteer work with a Stock Handler employer  

community service work with an agency  

Opportunities for jobs in department, discount, and toy stores may occur during the Christmas season. Experience may also be gained in military service also.  

Direct application to employers is the most common method of becoming a Stock Handler. Assistance may be obtained from local unions, representing retail store employees, school placement offices, local offices of the Michigan Works!, and newspaper want ads. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:  

Michigan Talent Bank

Michigan Jobs & Career Portal

Classifieds Employment  

Yahoo! Careers

MONSTER.COM    

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.  

EA RNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of Stock Handlers depend on the type of employer, job duties performed, geographic location, and unionization. Earnings tend to be higher for workers in large metropolitan areas and for union members.  

Nationally (1998), median weekly earnings of all Stock Handlers were $300 or about $7.50 per hour.  

Approximate top hourly earnings for employees working in supermarkets were (1998):  

Order Fillers and Stock Handlers working for private employers earned per hour (1998):  

In Michigan, Stock Handlers earned an average annual income between $21,700 and $29,900 in 1998 depending on their job duties.  

Stock Handlers generally receive overtime for any hours worked in excess of 40 hours and for work on holidays. Those working night shifts may receive a higher pay rate than day shift workers. Some unionized Stock Handlers also receive cost-of-living allowances and profit sharing plans.  

Most Stock Handlers receive paid vacations, health and other medical insurance, and sick leave. The best fringe benefit programs are usually offered by large retail stores and manufacturing companies.  

Stock Handlers in grocery stores often start as Baggers and become grocery clerks after gaining experience. They then may advance to head grocery clerk positions and to assistant manager positions. Stock Handlers in department stores may become sales clerks or advance to supervisory positions in the stock department. Experience and job performance are the most important factors in promotion. In addition, supervisory ability is important in advancing to positions as assistant manager or stock supervisor.  

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, more than 215,000 Stock Handlers were employed in 1994. Employment is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2005. The industry distribution for Stock Handlers looked like this:  

More Stock Handlers will be needed as the economy improves and retail sales increase. Because of the high turnover rate in this occupation, most openings will be due to replacement.  

There are about 5,000 Stock Handlers employed in Michigan. Employment of Stock Handlers was concentrated in urban areas. Most of them worked for retail companies and wholesale firms.  

Employment of Stock Handlers is expected to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2005. An average of 190 job openings is expected annually, with 80 due to growth and 110 to replacement of workers who retire or leave the labor force for other reasons. Additional openings will occur as workers change jobs or occupations.    

More Stock Handlers will be needed as new grocery stores, department stores, and other retail stores are built. Additional openings will result because of the high turnover rate in stock handling jobs. However, because of the ease in entering this work, keen competition is expected for beginning jobs.  

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2005  

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.  

SUMMARY PROFILE

The occupation of Stock Clerk can be summarized by the following:  

MOISCRIPTS are Copyright 2003, Michigan Department of Career Development