What Does An Inventory Control Clerk Do?

WHAT DOES AN INVENTORY CONTROL CLERK DO?

Published: Oct 13, 2025 - The Inventory Control Clerk receives, inspects, and records all incoming shipments to ensure accuracy, quality, and compliance with company standards. This role maintains organized storage areas, rotates stock based on the First In First Out policy, and prepares materials for production or quality testing. The clerk also monitors inventory for expired or defective items and coordinates their proper return or disposal.

A Review of Professional Skills and Functions for Inventory Control Clerk

1. Inventory Control Clerk Duties

Inventory Management: Keeps current inventory records of maintenance parts, equipment, and repair items that are in stock and on order.
Stock Control: Notifies appropriate personnel when in-house stock reaches the order point or when ordered material is past the scheduled delivery date.
Work Monitoring: Monitors open work orders that are waiting on material.
Scheduling Support: Notifies the maintenance manager when work orders are ready to schedule.
Area Maintenance: Cleans and maintains the maintenance area and parts crib.
Data Entry: Maintains inventory records on computer systems, i.e., adjustments, returns, material issues, etc.
Material Handling: Ensures that the maintenance department receives the correct materials.
Safety Compliance: Responsible for safely conducting all work.
Procurement Process: Creates and processes purchase orders in EAM for the facility.
Administrative Support: Performs or acts as backup for the administrative functions of the plant, such as shipping coordinator, labor entry, etc.

2. Inventory Control Clerk Details

Inventory Management: Maintain and update inventory records.
Process Optimization: Create efficient and accurate inventory management procedures.
Daily Operations: Perform all daily activities necessary to maintain effective inventory management procedures.
Inventory Reconciliation: Reconcile inventories to book records and make adjustments.
Physical Inventory: Coordinate the annual physical inventory procedures.
Loss Prevention: Implement a loss prevention program approved by the Corporate Loss Prevention Team.
Process Improvement: Make recommendations to the Assistant Operations Manager on programs to improve the management of inventory.
Recoup Program: Plan and implement a recoup program to ensure all damaged or defective products are accounted for and properly handled by dumping, salvaging, or returning to stock.
Record Maintenance: Maintain records to accurately track recouped products and return saleable products to stock.
Quality Assurance: Supervise the inventory quality and accuracy assurance programs, including weekly and monthly reports.
Product Search: Conduct any search to locate products within the system.
Record Adjustment: Adjust records when there are discrepancies between the actual product and the records.

3. Inventory Control Clerk Responsibilities

Discrepancy Control: Take steps to correct and prevent discrepancies.
Return Auditing: Develop a program to audit returns and move returned products to their proper locations.
Credit Processing: Process proper documentation to generate a prompt credit transaction.
Product Handling: Take appropriate action on products that are not in a saleable condition.
Cycle Counting: Perform weekly cycle counts and make system adjustments.
Inventory Security: Develop a program to maintain tight security over the inventory.
Access Control: Assure that only authorized personnel have access to inventory records.
Record Accuracy: Maintain accurate inventory records to help facilitate shortage detection.
Reporting Management: Develop all necessary reports and documentation to facilitate accurate inventory counts, including records of all audits, counts, and adjustments.
Record Maintenance: Complete and issue all necessary records and reports, including filing invoices and maintaining customer records in a timely and accurate fashion.
Customer Communication: Communicate with customers regarding the timing of physical inventories.
Coordination Support: Work with Customer Service Representatives, Supervisors, and Warehouse Supervisors to establish cut-off dates.

4. Inventory Control Clerk Job Summary

Data Analysis: Reads, interprets, and analyzes records and inventory control system data in conducting a regular program of cycle counts of all materials in inventory and verifying count accuracy.
Production Support: Assists Production with immediate response to disruptions caused by inventory discrepancies.
Cycle Counting: Performs regularly scheduled cycle counts of packaging, raw, in-process, and finished goods.
Inventory Accuracy: Assists in maintaining the accuracy of inventory in the system.
Discrepancy Research: Researches discrepancies by examining transactions, documents, material movement procedures, and communicating with relevant personnel.
Root Cause Analysis: Collaborates with others to determine root causes and recommend preventative actions.
Cross-Functional Liaison: Acts as a liaison between Inventory Control, Purchasing, and Production to promptly correct or prevent material disruptions.
Audit Support: Conducts audit counts during scheduled physical inventory.
Special Audits: Performs special inventories and audits.
Quality Standards: Maintains established quality and quantity standards.
Safety Compliance: Follows prescribed safety precautions and established company and department policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
Issue Reporting: Detects and reports improper operations, faulty equipment, defective materials, and questionable conditions to proper supervision.
Workplace Maintenance: Maintains work areas and equipment in a clean, orderly, and safe condition.
Policy Adherence: Follows company policies and practices as outlined in the Employee Handbook and/or applicable employment agreement.
Safety Procedures: Follows safety guidelines and procedures in accordance with the job.

5. Inventory Control Clerk Accountabilities

Record Management: Creates, maintains and updates accurate records of all inventory transactions.
Requisition Support: Assists in maintaining warehouse requisitions for other departments within the property.
Inventory Operations: Performs and documents inventory control operations in accordance with the guidelines established through quality control and department policies and procedures.
Scanner Operation: Operates various scanners to add items into the Accounts Payable system.
Data Entry: Performs computer data entry using the Inventory/Purchasing System.
Workplace Courtesy: Practices courtesy in all dealings with co-workers and management.
Area Maintenance: Maintains work area in a clean and orderly condition.
Customer Service: Identifies and resolves customer complaints/issues.
Skill Development: Strives to continuously learn additional skills and capabilities to effectively handle new assignments and responsibilities consistent with company needs.
Inventory Preparation: Assists in preparing material and equipment for inventories.
Audit Assistance: Assists cost accountants in conducting periodic physical inventories.
Process Improvement: Recognizes new/additional work opportunities for the company and/or more efficient ways of accomplishing assigned tasks, and reports to a cost accountant and or I/C manager.

6. Inventory Control Clerk Functions

Product Receiving: Receives incoming product rapidly, efficiently, and accurately.
Material Handling: Loading, unloading, counting, verifying, putting away product that has been received and collecting data.
Product Storage: Stores product in accordance with established warehouse procedures while maintaining inventory accuracy.
Workflow Improvement: Makes recommendations regarding proper storage to improve workflow efficiency.
Cycle Counting: Performs cycle counts to reconcile inventory and locations against computer files.
Discrepancy Investigation: Investigates inventory discrepancies and advises on the most probable cause of errors.
Department Support: Supports Kitting and Paint Departments by pulling raw materials listed on Manufacturing Orders and staging them for processing.
Safety Compliance: Follows company safety protocol and procedures at all times, such as wearing proper PPE, reporting safety incidents and accidents, etc.
Warehouse Maintenance: Maintains a clean, safe working environment and ensures the warehouse is kept in good order.
Record Management: Create, maintain and update accurate records of all inventory transactions.
Inventory Disbursement: Assist in the timely manner of the disbursement of warehouse inventory to the proper departments.
Inventory Operations: Perform and document inventory control operations in accordance with the guidelines established through quality control and department policies and procedures.
Data Entry: Perform computer data entry using the Inventory/Purchasing System.
Customer Service: Identify and resolve customer complaints/issues.
Inventory Preparation: Assist in preparing material and equipment for inventories.
Audit Assistance: Assist cost accountants in conducting required, periodic physical inventories.

7. Inventory Control Clerk Job Description

Order Verification: Aids in verifying orders purchased and received.
Quality Assurance: Ensures orders and deliveries meet the quoted prices, quality, and condition expected.
Stock Review: Reviews stock and par levels to communicate the availability of items to assist in future purchase orders.
Defect Management: Takes corrective actions concerning defective and damaged merchandise for proper return or disposal.
Order Storage: Stores orders received in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.
Inventory Audit: Reviews and audits stored items to ensure proper rotation.
Product Rotation: Rotates food and supplies to ensure freshness and high quality of product.
Temperature Monitoring: Monitors proper storage temperatures of supplies for either fresh or frozen products.
Equipment Maintenance: Assists in the inspection and maintenance of the refrigerator and storage equipment.
Bulk Assembly: Assembles items of bulk deliveries that are requested within the hospital.
Delivery Support: Assists in standard deliveries for off-site requisitions.
Inventory Counting: Count equipment, merchandise, material, or supplies in stock and post totals to inventory records using a computer or manually.
Record Assistance: Assist in the records of items stocked and issued for requisitions.
Standards Compliance: Adheres to HMH Organizational competencies and standards of behavior.

8. Inventory Control Clerk Overview

Inventory Control: Controls the consumption of items in the WMS system immediately as they are transferred from one area to another.
Material Tracking: Keeps track of the correct ingredient being taken to the production areas.
Warehouse Organization: Controls the staging and organization of the materials in the warehouse.
FIFO Compliance: Ensures FIFO is followed, accurate counts, and correct blends are being used.
Temperature Monitoring: Controls the temperature and time of the product that is being thawed out.
Inventory Accuracy: Maintains accurate inventory in the Tempe warehouse.
Shift Communication: Communicate with the Shift Manager at the start and end of each shift to assess the location of materials requisitioned for the shift's production and ensure physical and systematic availability.
Department Coordination: Coordinate with all department managers to ensure accountability of inventory.
Production Assessment: Confer regularly to assess the progress of production and the accuracy of inventory movements.

9. Inventory Control Clerk Details and Accountabilities

Data Verification: Examine operational documentation, inventory activity, and physical materials to ensure accuracy of information provided.
Cycle Counting: Cycle count and correct inventory.
Inventory Coordination: Coordinate and manage the location of staged inventory.
Material Handling: Assist in the physical movement to/from staging locations to ensure the utmost efficiency of the blending and bottling lines.
Audit Support: Assist with year-end audit and inventory counts in any/all Arizona-based locations.
System Management: Assume the role of WMS Power User to perform inventory management within WMS.
System Learning: Learn the WMS and ERP systems sufficiently to perform production entries and inventory adjustments.
Quality Support: Proactively support quality initiatives and documentation requirements.
Information Confidentiality: Maintain the confidentiality of information appropriately.

10. Inventory Control Clerk Tasks

Customer Relations: Build rapport with customers.
Customer Interaction: Display a friendly and outgoing attitude through good eye contact and body language.
Customer Support: Respond to customer questions in an effective manner.
Product Merchandising: Stock product and maintain product displays according to merchandising standards.
Technology Use: Utilize technology to complete activities and tasks.
Safety Compliance: Follow safety and sanitation procedures to ensure quality service and products for customers.
Inventory Management: Maintain and monitor the inventory control system of supplies and/or equipment.
Stock Maintenance: Receiving, shelving, restocking, and monitoring to assure no outdates.
Inventory Planning: Determine appropriate inventory levels based on policies and procedures.
Supply Replenishment: Requisition, receive, and replenish supplies/equipment when stock reaches the designated order point or based on anticipated volumes.
Asset Control: Perform inventory control and asset management.
Equipment Maintenance: Perform and document equipment checks as well as submit work orders and follow up on repairs.
Department Collaboration: Collaborating with the clinical department staff and management, as well as Materials Management staff and management, to determine the need for product or level changes.
Supply Communication: Informing department staff of supply shortages and substitutions and assisting in problem-solving/action plan for the same.
Urgent Response: Responding to stat requests.
Inventory Facilitation: Facilitating annual inventory for the assigned area.

11. Inventory Control Clerk Roles

Transaction Entry: Responsible for entering inventory transactions.
Inventory Management: Manage inventory and maintain safe stock levels.
Inventory Accuracy: Maintain inventory accuracy based on company standards.
Cycle Counting: Manage the cycle count program.
Physical Inventory: Coordinate annual physical inventory.
Customer Service: Extend excellent customer service to all vendors, DC departments, and corporate Customer Service.
Project Assistance: Help on special projects for customers requesting specific information and a course of action.
Parts Handling: Stock/load purchased parts into specific inventory locations and pick/deliver parts to the factory floor or shipping (i.e., Customer Service orders).
System Documentation: Document/record all transactions in the MRP system (i.e., stocking, picking, moving, etc.) via computer.
Truck Unloading: Unloading trucks with the use of a forklift and/or overhead crane.
Inventory Counting: Accurately execute ALL inventory counts and computer transactions.

12. Inventory Control Clerk Additional Details

Cycle Counting: Conducts daily cycle counts and associated reconciliations.
Material Identification: Weighs or counts materials and marks materials with identifying information.
Record Maintenance: Maintains inventory records such as filing count and a log of discrepancies or uses a computer to enter records.
Discrepancy Resolution: Communicates and resolves discrepancies with the warehouse and other production departments.
Offsite Inventory: Conducts off-site inventory counts.
Inventory Analysis: Performs ad hoc soft inventory analysis.
Data Updating: Updating charts and graphs to reflect monthly inventory accuracy.
Inventory Accuracy: Accurately count inventory on hand in conformance with SOX and inventory procedures.
Process Improvement: Develop and implement improvement initiatives that meet/exceed metric goals.
Root Cause Analysis: Assist IC and Operations Management with root cause analysis and error resolution.
Performance Monitoring: Monitor, analyze and report performance relative to inventory accuracy and control.
Issue Documentation: Work closely with Inventory Control Analysts to document issues and improve processes.
Operational Collaboration: Work with IC and Operations Management to improve relationships and jointly address operational issues.
Data Analysis: Follows standard practices and procedures in analyzing situations or data from which answers can be readily obtained.

13. Inventory Control Clerk Essential Functions

Cycle Counting: Cycle counts raw materials, packaging materials, finished goods, and non-conforming materials in accordance with the daily and weekly cycle count schedule.
Discrepancy Reporting: Identifies and reports discrepancies of over/under quantities as well as damaged products to the supervisor.
Root Investigation: Conducts a 5 Whys investigation on inventory discrepancies.
Performance Tracking: Assists with weekly/monthly Key Performance Metric tracking, root cause analysis, and implementation of corrective actions for variances.
Record Maintenance: Maintains an accurate record of daily cycle counts performed.
Inventory Accuracy: Maintains accurate inventory locations and performs material transfers.
Data Entry: Data entry into the ERP system.
Material Organization: Sorts and places materials or items on racks, shelves, or in bins according to predetermined sequence such as size, type, style, color, or product code, by using a scanner.
Container Handling: Opens and seals bales, crates, and other containers, using hand tools, a tape gun, and shrink wrap.
Shipment Inspection: Unpacks and examines incoming shipments, rejects damaged items, records shortages, and corresponds with the buyer to rectify damages and shortages.

14. Inventory Control Clerk Role Purpose

Item Routing: Routes items to departments.
Material Transport: Transports stored items from a warehouse to a plant or picks up items from several locations for shipment by driving a forklift, using a hand truck, an electric hand truck, driving a company vehicle, or by hand.
Material Conveying: Conveys materials and items from receiving or production areas to storage or other designated areas.
Order Reading: Reads customer order, shipping order, or requisition to determine items to be moved, gathered, or distributed.
Order Assembly: Assembles customer orders from stock and places orders on pallets or shelves or conveys orders to the packing station or shipping department.
Stock Arrangement: Arranges stock parts in the specified sequence for assembly by other workers.
Shipment Verification: Verifies and keeps records on incoming shipments and prepares items for shipment.
Item Counting: Weighs or counts items for distribution within the plant to ensure conformance to company standards.
Worksheet Compilation: Compile worksheets or tickets from customer specifications.
Supply Requisition: Complete requisition forms to order supplies from other plant departments.
Parcel Preparation: Prepare parcels for mailing.

15. Inventory Control Clerk General Responsibilities

Cycle Counting: Using computer system-generated reports, cycle count products in the distribution center.
Location Auditing: Using various computer system-generated reports, audit product locations to verify item, count, and expiration dating accuracy.
Error Correction: Identifies and corrects inventory errors.
Location Setup: Sets up new and adjusts existing storage locations.
Discrepancy Investigation: Investigates inventory discrepancies and makes appropriate adjustments to inventory in the computer system.
Nonconformance Reporting: Alerts the Supervisor to product non-conformances (new packaging, wrong count, product damage, shortages, etc.).
Aisle Maintenance: Keeps the distribution center aisles clear and maintains the integrity of storage locations.
Sanitation Compliance: Maintains the housekeeping and sanitation standards of the distribution center.
Audit Execution: Performs daily scheduled cycle counts and audits.
Record Maintenance: Maintains clear, concise, and detailed records of all counting activities.
Inventory Accuracy: Responsible for the accuracy of inventory information and execution of adjustments based on physical verification and WM research.
Root Cause Analysis: Analyzes inventory discrepancies by researching variances and identifying root cause by formulating recommendations for improvement of inventory accuracy.
Variance Research: Research inventory discrepancies such as inventory movements between locations, short picks during order fulfillment, and canceled outbound PO and/or cartons.
Shipment Auditing: Audit outbound shipments for wholesale and retail customers to ensure 100% compliance.

16. Inventory Control Clerk Key Accountabilities

Cycle Counting: Complete coordinated cycle counts on all Spirit Lake and Milford warehouse locations each quarter.
Error Tracking: Research, assign, and log all errors in the monthly error rate spreadsheet.
Audit Tracking: Track completion dates for cycle counts by location for internal and external audit purposes.
Data Querying: Run queries to maintain the transaction numbers for the monthly error rate spreadsheet.
Error Correction: Run a negative report and correct.
Discrepancy Resolution: Correct discrepancies noted by warehouse personnel promptly.
Inventory Accuracy: Works closely with Material Planners and other Inventory Control Specialists to ensure accurate inventory to avoid line downtime.
Training Support: Assists Warehouse Leads by training material handlers and water spiders on proper warehouse procedures.
Error Resolution: Supports the Warehouse Leads in tracking and resolving inventory errors in the warehouse and on the shop floor.
Process Improvement: Works cooperatively to develop new ideas and enhance procedures in the team.
Warehouse Assistance: Assist with assigned warehouse functions.

17. Inventory Control Clerk Roles and Details

Order Shipping: Pull and ship work orders.
Order Management: Designate a holding shelf for orders that are not complete.
Label Application: Placing OEM labels on parts.
Stock Receiving: Receive stock, according to the packing list, that arrives by UPS, truck line, and city delivery.
Paperwork Matching: Match up paperwork for all work orders that are complete.
Documentation Handling: Run a way document for material handlers.
Bin Organization: Make sure that all parts are placed in a proper bin location.
Sales Support: Pull parts for sales orders as deliveries from one manufacturer are being placed in the proper bin locations.
Truck Handling: Unload and/or prepare truck shipments.
Sales Shipment: Prepare outside salesmen's shipments.
Package Processing: Pull orders that arrive by UPS and FedEx.
Order Completion: Complete all work orders.

18. Inventory Control Clerk Responsibilities and Key Tasks

Order Verification: Checks orders and compares requisitions to the physical product being issued.
Product Inspection: Inspects every product requisitioned by outlets and lounges.
Requisition Approval: Signs off on requisitions, leaving the warehouse.
Record Updating: Updates requisitions and returns accurately and promptly.
Final Reconciliation: Performs final updates on all requisitions after comparing the requisitions of the physical product being issued versus the initial outlet/lounge requisition.
Log Maintenance: Maintains a log for recording completed requisitions.
Cycle Counting: Conducts full-scale cycle counts of the warehouse every month.
Variance Recording: Records and prints inventory counts in Stratton Warren after researching variances.
Post Counting: Performs post counts throughout the month to monitor and record inventory variances.
Variance Research: Research information on inventory variances.
Information Reporting: Provides accurate information on outlet order history, receiving information, and physical inventory.

19. Inventory Control Clerk Duties and Roles

Shipment Receiving: Receive shipments and sign paperwork upon receipt.
Shipment Inspection: Examine incoming shipments for defects or shortages and reject damaged items.
Package Verification: Verify packages according to packing slip (quantity, quality, price, etc.).
Discrepancy Reporting: Notify the Supervisor of all receipt discrepancies and rejects.
Inventory Entry: Input inventory into the system, ensuring an accurate record of all information and complete adherence to guidelines for chemical and drug inventory.
Return Processing: Return unsatisfactory shipments when notified by Inventory Control or Supervisor.
Label Application: Label deliveries as specified with bar codes and bump labels, ensuring appropriate signatures.
Stock Rotation: Move and maintain stock to the appropriate location in the storerooms and rotate stock to remove all old stock, adhering to the First In First Out policy.
Material Delivery: Identify and deliver various raw materials for production.
Sample Preparation: Prepare chemical samples for quality testing on all chemicals delivered from overseas vendors.
Area Maintenance: Maintain the receiving area and chemical room in a clean and orderly condition.
Cleaning Management: Complete all cleaning activities and maintain cleaning logs for the chemical room.
Expiration Checking: Perform monthly checks for expired stock of chemicals and proprietary drugs.
Reverse Distribution: Ensure proper preparation of expired, damaged, and defective stock for reverse distribution.

20. Inventory Control Clerk Roles and Responsibilities

Inventory Reconciliation: Inventory reconciliation, analyze and amend discrepancies between the counted physical inventory and the system inventory daily.
Procedure Investigation: Investigate inventory procedures, investigate receiving, inventory movement, production processes, and billing procedures.
Reconciliation Support: Assist in inventory reconciliation.
Process Improvement: Suggest process improvements, understand current state procedures, and provide suggestions.
Warehouse Efficiency: Improve warehouse efficiencies and reduce inventory variance.
Report Generation: Create reports and documentation, generate reports within Excel.
Status Reporting: Provide inventory status reports to track the progress of issues and inconsistencies.
Stock Maintenance: Maintaining a 3-month supply of inventory.
Quality Control: Ensuring the quality control level of products according to company standards.
Workplace Maintenance: General upkeep of the work area and maintenance of equipment.
Manager Communication: Working closely with the Manager and keeping them updated on the status of their work regularly.
Safety Compliance: Observing safety, security, and regulatory procedures.
Storage Organization: Assisting in maintaining order in product storage areas.
Inventory Counting: Assisting in physical inventory counts.

Relevant Information

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