Job analysis of retail sales associate and inbound stocking associate positions

Human Resources: Job Analysis/Job Description

The jobs of Retail Sales Associate and Inbound Stocking and Receiving Associate at True Value were compared and analyzed. They are somewhat similar in job skills and educational requirements, though the requirements and duties diverge at different points. Using information from YouTube, the U.S. Department of Labor and journal articles, job descriptions were written and are believed to be compliant with state and federal requirements.

Compare two job positions and perform job analysis of each

The "Undercover Boss" episode chosen was "Undercover Boss -- True Value" (Lenyu, 2014). The President/CEO went undercover as a new sales associate to work with an experienced sales associate and as a new inbound stocking and receiving associate to work with an experienced inbound stocking and receiving associate. The True Value web site was no help in comparing and analyzing the two jobs because there are no positions open for either job.

A True Value Sales Associate is a retail sales associate who: helps customers choose products by explanations, demonstrations and recommendations; keeps the shelves stocked and orderly, prepares sales displays, and may ring up sales by using a cash register, a barcode scanner, a calculator and/or a credit card machine (Lenyu, 2014). According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is no formal education requirement; however, some employers prefer a high school education (United States Department of Labor, n.d.). Required skills for the job include: strong communication skills; ability to work well with other people; courteousness, efficiency, personal tidiness, knowledge of basic math and basic computer technology (United States Department of Labor, n.d.). As of 2012, retail sales workers earn $21,410 per year or $10.29 per hour and job opportunities for these positions are expected to increase by 10% between 2012 and 2022 (United States Department of Labor, n.d.).

In contrast, an "inbound stocking and receiving associate" does not have as much direct customer contact; rather, he/she receives, unpacks, inspects, stores and distributes merchandise, materials, equipment and related items from the stockroom, warehouse or storage yard to fill merchandise shelves, racks and tables within the store and/or to fill direct customer orders. he/she may also mark the prices on merchandise and set up sales displays in the store (United States Department of Labor, n.d.). Many employers require that these employees be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or an equivalent and be able to perform basic bookkeeping in order to perform inventory control. The skills required for the job include: the ability to lift heavy objects, bend and stoop; the ability to operate machinery and equipment such as scanners, pallet trucks and dollies; basic organizational and office skills, including some computer skills, data entry skills, word processing skills and inventory tracking skills; good customer service skills and team-working skills; sometimes a valid driver's license and a clean DMV record; sometimes need to be bonded (United States Department of Labor, n.d.). The job growth is not encouraging, as so much of inventory is becoming automated, though they are often considered entry level positions with opportunities for advancement. This position paid on average $22,050 or $10.99-hour in 2012 (United States Department of Labor, n.d.)

b. Method of collecting information for job analysis

Information for the job analysis of sales associate and inbound stocking and receiving associate were obtained by viewing the "Undercover Boss" YouTube video, reading statistics provided by the U.S. Department of Labor's handbook, and one-on-one discussions with both sales associates and stock/inventory clerks at a local Home Depot. The job titles of other employees did not exactly match those at true value but it is believed that they are more attractive in order to make employees happier and likelier to stay in their jobs (Smith, Spring 2004).

c. Create a job description from the analysis

i. Retail Sales Associate

1. Duties:

A Company X sales associate: helps customers choose products by explanations, demonstrations and recommendations; keeps the shelves stocked and orderly, prepares sales displays, and may ring up sales by using a cash register, a barcode scanner, a calculator and/or a credit card machine. his/her responsibilities are to:

Help customers their purchases by explaining products, discounts and special offers, giving product demonstrations and recommendations;

Strive to meet or exceed personal and team sales goals;

Keep sales floor shelves stocked and orderly;

Prepare sales displays;

Close sales transactions by use of the cash register, barcode scanner, calculator or credit card machine.

2. Knowledge and Skills.

Strong communication skills;

Ability to work well with other people;

Courteousness,

Efficiency,

Personal tidiness,

Knowledge of basic math;

Knowledge of basic computer technology

3. Educational Qualifications and Experience

High School Diploma or GED preferred;

1-year prior experience preferred.

4. Salary

$10.29 per hour.

ii. Inbound Stocking And Receiving Associate

d. Compliance of analysis and description with state/federal regulations

The job descriptions comply with state/federal regulations because much of the information was obtained from the Department of Labor, a publicly produced YouTube video of a nationally known retail chain and discussions with employees of those actual jobs at a local Home Depot. In addition, a labor lawyer's article on avoiding litigation through documentation and due diligence was reviewed (Reice, February 6, 2006). Finally, job descriptions for very similar jobs in retail were reviewed, though not cited.

3. Conclusion

The jobs of Sales Associate and Inbound Stocking and Receiving Associate at True Value were first compared and analyzed. True Value does not currently have those job openings, so the YouTube video of "Undercover Bosses" was heavily used to analyze the jobs. In addition, the U.S. Department of Labor had considerable information about both those jobs or very similar jobs and actual employees of Home Depot were consulted one-on-one. Job descriptions were then written for Sales Associate and Inbound Stocking and Receiving Associate based on all that information and journal articles about the subject. While both jobs are in retail, they have skills and requirements that somewhat differ and somewhat overlap. The resources used should make the resulting job descriptions compliant with state and federal requirements.