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Stock control clerks and assistants receive orders from customers, prepare requisitions or despatch documents for ordered goods, maintain and update records, files and other correspondence in relation to the storage and despatch of goods.

Main tasks

  • Adjusts stock records as orders are received, reports on damaged stock and prepares requisitions to replenish damaged stock.
  • Checks requisitions against stock records and forwards to issuing department.
  • Prepares requisitions, consignments and other despatch documents.
  • Receives enquiries and orders from customers, and quotes prices, discounts, delivery dates and other relevant information.
  • Allocates appropriate storage space in accordance with stock control and space utilisation policies.
  • Receives and checks in deliveries from suppliers or completed stock to be despatched to customers.

Source: Office for National Statistics.

Salary and earnings

Potential earnings

£41,859.58

Average earnings

£28,899.00

Source: Office for National Statistics' Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE).

Skills & knowledge

The top 5 most important skills and knowledge requirements relevant to this career.

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Clerical

Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Mathematics

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Administration and Management

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modelling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

What course level do I need to study?

The level of study required will vary with each job, sector and company. The table below shows the level of study achieved by those currently working in this career choice.

Educational requirements: Level 2 NVQ; GCSE at grades A*-C

Source: Office for National Statistics.

Level of study Percentage achieved
Level 0 4%
Level 1 9%
Level 2 26%
Level 3 33%
Level 4-5 (Higher Education) 9%
Level 6 (Bachelors) 17%
Level 7 (Masters or equivalent) 3%

Source: Labour Force Survey (LFS) data.

Economic data for careers is provided by Lightcast and also available through our Career Coach app. Job postings, employment and earnings information is represented at the regional level for the East Midlands.