Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
•   Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
•   Developing and Building Teams Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
•   Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
•   Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Working Life

Warehouse clerks handle the clerical work in warehouses. They could be based in an office or spend much of their time in a warehouse. Their tasks vary depending on the sort of company they work for.  
 
Warehouse clerks are responsible for dealing with any paperwork relating to the warehouse stock. They deal with goods notes when stock is delivered, keeping a record of the stock held at the warehouse (and where it is stored), and preparing invoices.  
 
They are sometimes involved in stock control, keeping track of the number and type of different items in the warehouse. They may be responsible for requisitioning goods and choosing an area in the warehouse to store them, although a warehouse assistant may do this work. They monitor stock levels of good and order replacements when needed. Often there will be a computer programme in place for this job and they will use this system in controlling stock levels. Computers can also be used to store customers' addresses.  
 
Warehouse clerks deal with customers and with suppliers to chase orders, organise delivery times or sort out problems. They also liaise with members of staff from other departments, transferring relevant information, for example, passing invoices to the accounts department.  
 
The warehouse clerk may also be responsible for other duties such as filing, making and receiving telephone calls, and ordering stationery and warehouse equipment.  
 
Not all companies that have warehouses employ clerks specifically for this work. In some organisations, general clerical workers do some of the tasks of a warehouse clerk. In a small company, warehouse assistants, who do the practical tasks within a warehouse such as loading and unloading of goods from lorries, may also deal with some of the paperwork.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Supervise the activities of workers engaged in receiving, storing, testing, and shipping products or materials.
• Plan, develop, or implement warehouse safety and security programmes and activities.
• Inspect physical conditions of warehouses, vehicle fleets, or equipment and order testing, maintenance, repairs, or replacements.
• Plan, organise, or manage the work of subordinate staff to ensure that the work is accomplished in a manner consistent with organisational requirements.
• Collaborate with other departments to integrate logistics with business systems or processes, such as customer sales, order management, accounting, or shipping.
• Analyse all aspects of corporate logistics to determine the most cost-effective or efficient means of transporting products or supplies.
• Resolve problems concerning transportation, logistics systems, imports or exports, or customer issues.
• Develop and document standard and emergency operating procedures for receiving, handling, storing, shipping, or salvaging products or materials.
• Monitor operations to ensure that staff members comply with administrative policies and procedures, safety rules, union contracts, environmental policies, or government regulations.
• Analyse the financial impact of proposed logistics changes, such as routing, shipping modes, product volumes or mixes, or carriers.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

 Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

 Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Many employers prefer applicants who have had relevant work experience, such as warehouse or clerical work. 
Administration or office administration training would be beneficial.

Key Skill Certs:

• Manual Handling 
• Fork lift, REACH, Counterbalance, Power pallet, Excel (voice/ pick & pack)

FET Centre Full & part time courses up to NFQ level 5 search our FET CourseFinder 

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: office procedures, business administration, supply chain, warehousing logistics.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: warehousing, supply chain, operations, logistics, distribution, transport, logistics.

Search for PLC Courses

Apprenticeships: 
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.

Examples: Warehousing Logistics, Supply Associate.

Search for Apprenticeships

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €26k - €45k

Salaries vary by employer, role, duties, shift pattern, location, and experience.

Data Source(s):
Morgan McKinley/ Payscale/ Clark/ Indeed/ Osborne/ Excel

Last Updated: March, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Shelf fillers; Elementary sales occupations n.e.c.; Elementary storage occupations; Hospital porters; Other elementary services occupations n.e.c.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

There was a large fall in employment levels between 2021 and 2022, declining by over 9.000 persons. Employment for this occupation is across a number of roles (e.g. sales supervisors, window dressers, street traders and debt collectors).

A shift in business models, particularly to online selling, may reduce the demand for in-person sales related activities (e.g. van sales persons or window dressers) in the coming years.

• All Ireland Warehousing Association

  • Click Here

• Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Ireland

  • 1 Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin 2
  • Freephone 1890 2525 99
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here