Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Item Clerk

🎯 Role Definition

The Item Clerk is responsible for accurate inventory control and material handling across receiving, storage, put-away, picking, packing, and shipping processes. This role supports supply chain continuity by maintaining precise stock records, performing cycle counts, reconciling discrepancies, and operating inventory systems (ERP/WMS) and scanning equipment. The Item Clerk balances hands-on warehouse work with detailed data entry and cross-functional communication to ensure inventory accuracy, compliance with safety protocols, and timely movement of goods.

Keywords: Item Clerk, Inventory Control, Receiving Clerk, Stock Clerk, Warehouse Inventory, Cycle Count, ERP, WMS, Barcode Scanning, Shipping & Receiving.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Warehouse Associate / General Laborer
Receiving Clerk / Shipping Clerk
Stockroom Attendant / Materials Handler

Advancement To:

Inventory Control Specialist
Senior Item Clerk / Lead Stock Clerk
Warehouse Supervisor / Inventory Supervisor
Logistics Coordinator / Supply Chain Analyst

Lateral Moves:

Shipping & Receiving Coordinator
Quality Control Inspector (Warehouse)
Procurement or Purchasing Assistant

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Receive inbound shipments, verify packing lists and purchase orders, inspect goods for damage, and record discrepancies to ensure accurate receiving and inventory intake.
Accurately count, label, and put away products to designated bin locations and update ERP/WMS records in real time to maintain inventory integrity.
Perform recurring cycle counts and full physical inventories; document variances, investigate root causes, and execute corrective actions to improve inventory accuracy.
Reconcile inventory discrepancies by researching transaction histories, matching vendor documents, and coordinating with procurement, receiving, and accounting teams.
Pick, pack, and stage items for outbound shipments according to order specifications, packing standards, and carrier requirements, ensuring orders leave the facility on time and intact.
Operate barcode scanners, RF devices, and handheld terminals to record transactions, locations, and movement of goods within the warehouse environment.
Maintain accurate and timely data entry into ERP/WMS systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, Fishbowl) including receipts, transfers, adjustments, and shipping transactions.
Prepare and process shipping documentation, including bills of lading, packing slips, customs documentation (where applicable), and carrier manifests.
Monitor stock levels and report low inventory, obsolete items, and excess stock; recommend cycle counts or disposition actions to Inventory Control or Purchasing.
Label, tag, and mark items to meet regulatory, internal traceability, and customer labeling requirements (lot, serial numbers, expiration dates).
Follow FIFO/LIFO rotation practices and shelf-life controls to minimize product obsolescence and ensure compliance with quality and safety standards.
Coordinate with warehouse leadership to prioritize receiving and shipping based on production schedules, customer commitments, and supplier lead times.
Execute warehouse housekeeping tasks, maintain clear and safe aisles, and ensure accurate placement of safety signage and material storage to comply with OSHA and company policies.
Assist with root cause analysis for recurrent inventory errors and implement process improvements, standardized procedures, and training materials for the team.
Facilitate cross-functional communication between procurement, production, quality, and customer service to resolve inventory issues and expedite critical parts or orders.
Track returns and warranty items: inspect, record, and route returned inventory for disposition, repair, restocking, or disposal per policy.
Maintain cycle count records, location maps, and inventory reconciliation logs to support auditing and continuous improvement initiatives.
Operate standard warehouse equipment, such as pallet jacks and forklifts (forklift certification preferred), safely and in accordance with company guidelines.
Support seasonal demand spikes and special projects such as relocations, SKU rationalization, and new product introductions by performing inventory transfers and system updates.
Document and escalate damaged, expired, or nonconforming materials and initiate return-to-vendor or scrap processes in coordination with Quality and Purchasing.
Verify pricing, part numbers, and unit of measure accuracy on incoming and outgoing transactions to prevent billing and fulfillment errors.
Maintain confidentiality of inventory records and adhere to company controls for restricted items and high-value stock.

Secondary Functions

Coordinate with IT and operations to test and validate WMS/ERP system updates, integrations, and barcode label templates that impact inventory workflows.
Support ad-hoc reporting requests for inventory KPIs (accuracy, days of inventory, shrinkage) and provide source documentation for audits.
Train new team members on receiving, put-away, picking, packing, cycle counting, and data-entry procedures; provide coaching to maintain quality standards.
Participate in cross-functional continuous improvement projects (5S, Kaizen, Lean) to optimize storage density, reduce travel time, and increase picking efficiency.
Conduct expiry-date management and recall support by identifying affected SKUs, isolating inventory, and coordinating communications and corrective actions.
Assist purchasing and forecasting teams by providing historical usage data, lead-time anomalies, and notes on receiving trends that impact reorder decisions.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficiency with ERP and Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) such as SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, Infor, Manhattan, or Fishbowl.
Experience with barcode scanning, RF terminals, and mobile data collection devices.
Strong inventory control techniques: cycle counting, stock reconciliation, variance analysis, and inventory adjustments.
Knowledge of shipping and receiving best practices, packing standards, and carrier labeling requirements.
Proficient data entry and record-keeping with a high level of accuracy; experience using Microsoft Excel for inventory reconciliations and basic lookups (VLOOKUP, filters).
Familiarity with warehouse equipment operation (pallet jack, hand truck); forklift certification preferred.
Understanding of lot control, serial number tracking, and expiration-date management for regulated and perishable products.
Ability to read and interpret purchase orders, packing lists, bills of lading, and vendor documentation.
Basic arithmetic and measurement skills for quantity verification, unit conversions, and container calculations.
Experience with barcode label creation and SKU master data maintenance.

Soft Skills

Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to inventory accuracy and documentation.
Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.
Clear verbal and written communication skills for cross-functional collaboration and issue escalation.
Problem-solving mindset with the ability to investigate discrepancies and implement corrective actions.
Team player attitude and willingness to support warehouse operations during peak periods and special projects.
Dependability, accountability, and adherence to safety and compliance standards.
Adaptability to changing processes, system upgrades, and evolving business needs.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent (GED).

Preferred Education:

Associate degree or certificate in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Business Administration
Operations Management
Inventory Management
Supply Chain Analytics

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1 - 4 years in inventory control, warehouse operations, receiving, or related roles.

Preferred:

2+ years of hands-on experience using ERP/WMS systems in a manufacturing, distribution, or retail environment.
Prior experience performing cycle counts, inventory reconciliations, and supporting physical inventories.