In today’s world, where the manufacturing industry is the backbone to our economy, maintaining inventory has become a must for all industries. It will take us an immense awareness of certain expectations to keep guard of things with us and realise which and where things belong. That is what a Storekeeper does in their everyday work life. To be successful in the Career as Storekeeper we must perform multiple tasks and work under pressure while staying proficient with clients.

What is a Storekeeper?

A storekeeper is a person who is responsible for maintaining goods in the warehouse at all stages. The stages include the time of moving goods into the warehouse, preserving and storing them to the stage of moving goods out of the warehouse, and ensuring requirements of quality and quantity of goods well. He also checks the inventory and maintains inventory records.

Storekeeper Definition 

Storekeepers are highly skilled professionals who manage, supervise, or perform a variety of tasks like ordering, receiving, storing, accounting, distributing, shipping, and issuing equipment, apparatus, materials, and supplies. They also perform other related duties as required.

Storekeeper Job Description 

 

Storekeepers are highly skilled professionals responsible for managing all operations of the storeroom of an organisation. Their job responsibilities require them to ensure that all store personnel working under them in a storeroom are following the general rules and regulations of the organization while maintaining an orderly and safe working environment.They must maintain and revamp inventory management system while preparing reports for their superiors. It is the storekeeper’s duty to respond to customer requests and provide them with a service with other divisions of the materials management department.

A storekeeper must undertake the following tasks:

1. Implementing goods receipt/issue procedures 

• The storekeeper must receive detailed and accurate information about the goods arriving at the warehouse. He must carefully check and record the quantity and condition of goods while moving out of the warehouse.
• He must take care to check goods receipt or issue requisition documents under regulations to ensure that quality goods are delivered to the right object to avoid confusion.
• He must be able to receive delivery documents, make goods issue requests, information on the goods management system and transfer it to the purchasing or accounting department under regulations to serve the next stage.
• He is responsible for arranging neat and clean locations and premises to receive goods in a convenient, fast, and timesaving way when there is information on goods receipt.
• He must ensure that the goods receipt and issue process does not damage the goods.
• He must record specifically the goods received note and goods delivery note to list the quantity of the goods.
• He must track the number of goods receipt/issues each day and compare with the minimum norm to maintain warehouse efficiency.

2. Tracking inventory 

• He must be able to keep track of minimum inventory and stock counts for the day.
• It is the his to ensure that the goods always have a reasonable minimum inventory level in case the partner unexpectedly requests a large quantity of goods or there is damaged goods during transportation.
• He must advice the director to change the minimum norm of the warehouse to provide a timely solution when there is a sudden change in the quantity or quality of goods .

3. Putting goods in the warehouse 

• He must be able to make a purchase requisition form according to plan.
• Make goods purchasing and issue procedures.
• He must follow up the goods receipt process, speed up purchasing, buy raw materials to ensure warehouse performance, and provide essential materials for the production process.

4. Arranging goods in the warehouse 

• A storekeeper must make records of warehouse changes. He must update the warehouse plan when there is a change.
• All goods must be arranged neatly, scientifically, clearly, and cleanly as required.
  He must make warehouse records and take stock of goods.
• It is the duty of the storekeeper to ensure warehouse records. This helps in making warehouse management easy. The warehouse record must be classified according to each type of goods, including item code, expiry date, size, and required object.
• He  must take stock of goods. It helps control the amount of goods circulation and inventory. Therefore, he detects defective goods by making a list to send to the functional department for handling.

5.  Complying with regulations on fire prevention 

• A storekeeper must be capable of ensuring the warehouse’s safety because the warehouse is a place where goods are arranged, in a dry environment with many flammable materials. Therefore, it is always a potential fire hazard. Therefore, he must have fire prevention measures in the goods arrangement and have firefighting solutions in the worst situation.

How to become a Storekeeper?

Like every job that requires you to complete certain steps, a storekeeper career is no exception. You must follow these steps to become a storekeeper.

Step 1: Complete you 10+2  

You must complete your 12th or higher secondary examination as a minimum qualification in your career path to become a storekeeper.  

Step2: Earn a bachelor’s degree 

While most of the employers hire candidates for storekeepers with 10+2 qualifications, many prefer candidates with bachelor’s degree.

Step 3: Gain work experience 

Most employers prefer candidates with one or more years of work experience.

Step 4: Math and accounting skills 

Math is a very important skill for a storekeeper in his daily operations. Similarly, knowledge of basic accounting is found suitable for any storekeeper’s job.

Step 4: Focus on job shadowing

Job shadowing has become an important role-playing step in a similar position to learn more about any job. So, if you want to learn more about this job you can request your mentor or friend in a similar position to allow job-shadowing. It also helps you to determine whether it is a good career choice for you.

Skills of a storekeeper 

Here are some skills that you require for a successful career as a storekeeper.

• Good communication and Interpersonal skills 

A storekeeper job involves interacting with colleagues, clients, employers and even third-party vendors. Therefore, it is important for him to have excellent communication skills. Good Interpersonal skills help you to interact with others in a courteous and friendly manner resulting in creating an amiable work environment. Also, you can work efficiently and effectively in a team if you have good interpersonal skills.

• Excellent Computer skills 

All storekeepers are expected to have a working knowledge of computers. They must be able to work on applications like spreadsheets and word processors. You must be proficient in using barcode scanners, directed picking systems and automated equipment.

• Good Organizational Skills 

Having good organizational skills is necessary for storekeepers to work more efficiently and avoid unnecessary accidents. Employers prefer candidates who are well-organized and detail oriented.

• Proficiency in Inventory Management 

As a storekeeper you must have a good and thorough working knowledge of different inventory systems, store keeping methods and procedures. Most companies prefer storekeepers using inventory management software.

• Data Entry skills 

Data entry skill is yet another skill for the storekeepers that is required by the employers. They are required to maintain perpetual tracking spreadsheets and maintain perpetual inventory records of material received and issued.

• Dexterity 

Candidates who can perform physical tasks such as lifting inventories and heavy objects are always preferred by the employers. Thus, a candidate must have strong physical stamina. Therefore, dexterity is an essential skill in a storekeeper’s job.

Educational Qualification of a Storekeeper 

A storekeeper must have completed at least his high school examination. Previous experience in a management position is desirable for his career growth. He must have excellent verbal and written communication skills and must be proficient with computers.

The Diploma in Storekeeper course is a certificate course and is designed as a stepping stone for students who want to pursue their career in supply chain management and be in a management team.

The diploma course offers you a basic understanding of various operations carried out by storekeepers and how they impact the overall supply chain process. The course also provides examples of how storekeepers can improve productivity, reduce wastage and enhance customer satisfaction.

The curriculum of Diploma in storekeeper course in given below:

• Introduction to store management and inventory control
• Principles of retailing Sales techniques

• Sales techniques Marketing principles and practices.
• Principles of costing and pricing
• Store auditing and controls
• Retail accounting systems

Here are the top diplomas in storekeeper in India

• NIMS Training Academy
• Kudumbashree Diploma centre
• Global Education & Management Academy (GEMA), Chennai, Tamil Nadu
• Sivananda institute of Higher education and research, Coimbatore
• Vibgyor International School of Business and Humanities (VIBGYOR), Bangalore.

The fee structure for Diploma in Storekeeper is Rs.14000 only.

Scope of Store Keeping Career

Storekeeper jobs are mainly found in a central receiving, or departmental stores facility. He involved in the complete range of stores or receiving functions. The storekeeper has six levels in management.

Level 1: Assistant Storekeeper 

Assistant storekeeper is the entry level. Here one must perform manual duties like receiving, storing, issuing, distributing, shipping. They also must maintain inventory of supplies, materials, equipment and apparatus. Their job is to assist in receipt of goods by unloading, moving and counting packages, drums, crates, or other containers or items. They also check for obvious damage and log in goods received under close supervision.

Level 2: Storekeeper 

Storekeeper is at the operational level. In this level the storekeeper operates a departmental stores facility or works in a large stores operation providing service to grants, contracts and projects. They must perform operational duties like ordering, receiving, storing, inventory, issuing, distributing, shipping and record keeping. They must determine stock items and stock levels. They locate and order non-stock items and equipment parts. Prepare and expedite orders. They inspect items received, handle freight claims, quantity shortages, breakage, duplicate shipments, and back orders.

It is the storekeeper’s responsibility to help their coworkers with procedures or methods of handling claims for damage, quantity shortages, duplicate shipments, back orders, returned goods, inventory shortages, and other stores procedures. They must specialise in one or more stores’ activities or have responsibility for a complete stores facility handling a limited variety of materials.

Level 3: Store Worker 

Store workers require the operation of powered materials handling equipment.  In this level a store worker performs operational duties in the receipt, storage, and issue of material and use powered or unpowered materials handling equipment as required.

Store workers also load and unload trucks or other common carriers and transport material to specified areas either by hand or by use of powered or unpowered materials-handling equipment. They assist in the unpacking of the goods and in the inspection of incoming material against invoices or bills of lading to verify items and quantities received. They palletize and move material to designated locations and select specific items and assemble material in shipping bays. The Stores Worker class is different from the Storekeeper class in that here they are required to operate forklift trucks and/or other powered materials-handling equipment which require special skills in the palletizing or handling of materials and/or supplies.

Level 4: Senior Storekeeper 

Senior storekeeper is the advanced operational supervisory level. The senior storekeepers are responsible for the operation of a store’s facility or division having an annual cost of goods of less than $250,000 and an inventory exceeding $50,000. Senior Store Keeper also must supervise other Storekeepers They are responsible for work of greater complexity and responsibility like stock selection, space planning, etc. than that found at the operational level as evidenced by need for technical experience and/or training.

Level 5: Store Stores Supervisor 

The Stores Supervisor level is the full supervisory level. Under direction, incumbents have responsibility for the operation and supervision of a store’s facility or a major section in a facility having annual cost of goods ranging from $250,000 to $600,000.

Stores Supervisors plan budgetary needs, and  determine appropriate stock control methods and operating policies and  procedures. They also plan, organize, and direct the following functions like space and staffing requirements, stock selection and procurement, customer service, customer and vendor relations, planned purchasing coordination, and inventory management.

Level 6: Senior Stores Supervisor 

Senior Stores Supervisor is at the first managerial level. Under general direction, incumbents have responsibility for management of a store’s facility or a major division in a large store’s facility having an annual cost of goods ranging from $600,000 to $1,000,000. Senior Stores Supervisors plan the budgetary needs and determine appropriate stock control methods and operating policies and procedures. He also plans, organizes and directs the following functions: space and staffing requirements, stock selection and procurement, customer service, customer and vendor relations, planned purchasing coordination, and inventory management.

What is the salary of a storekeeper  in India?

The salary of the storekeeper in India ranges between 0.2 lakhs to Rs 5.5 lacs per annum with an average annual salary of Rs 2.2 lakhs per annum. The salary varies depending on different parameters like experience, qualification and job location. Some cities pay a higher salary than others. This number can also vary depending on the type of products and services provided by the store.

Here are a few of the companies employing storekeepers along with their salaries.

• Army Ordnance corps – Rs 6.7 lacs per annum
• Consolidated Contractor — Rs 6.1 lacs per annum
• Saudi Binladin Group — Rs5.3 lacs per annum.

• Indian Army — Rs 5.2 lakhs per annum.
• Dodsal Engineering & Construction — Rs 5.2 lacs per annum.

Here is the list of top paying industries for storekeeper in India

• Engineering & Construction – Rs 3.2 lacs per annum
• Real Estate – Rs 2.9 lakhs per annum
• Industrial Machinery – Rs 2.6 lakhs per annum
• Automobile – Rs 2.3 lakhs per annum

• Auto Components – Rs 2 lacs per annum.

Conclusion 

Most employers and companies look for a full-time storekeeper who is well organized with experience of a few years. He must be able to handle all stocks and inventory and must be able to ensure store maintenance. The ideal candidate for a Storekeeper job is the one who can multitask and possesses a learning aptitude. He must have robust organizational skills and strong attention to detail while remaining professional.

Storekeeping is a kind of a job where you remain behind the scenes. Yet it has its own merits. If you have got the above skills to become a storekeeper and the relevant education qualifications and experience, you deserve to become a storekeeper.