What does a Production Clerk do?

A production clerk oversees document collection and processing for a company working in the manufacturing industry. This clerk performs a variety of job functions, from record keeping to departmental collaboration. She typically is responsible for the storing of data and records that relate to manufacturing and also works with production scheduling and quality testing. A manufacturing clerk may also be required to inventory stock, place orders, and communicate information to others.

The main component of this clerk position is the oversight of documentation that relates to making products and delivering them. This usually involves the collection of receipts and orders, the analysis of these records, and following the appropriate storage practices. In most cases, a production clerk will be required to submit reports based on the collection of manufacturing data, such as machine and work output.

This clerk also must closely track supplies used in manufacturing and calculate the associated costs. This may involve the clerk being responsible for a departmental budget. She will likely be in charge of making sure that any production team is well supplied with parts in order to complete their customer orders. Production clerks often spend much time surveying this inventory, reporting information to the appropriate departments or vendors, and ensuring the stock is updated and recorded.

Scheduling is another important part of this clerk job. A production clerk must prepare, revise, and oversee production scheduling that involves the manufacture of goods, equipment use, employee shifts, and delivery time. Additionally, a production clerk may help a company develop and follow a scheduled plan for ordering supplies. This may involve the processing and distribution of purchasing paperwork, such as orders, receipts, and billing statements.

The production clerk oversees much of the procedure for manufacturing products, so quality assurance is another vital part of this job. She must ensure that employees are working within governmental and company guidelines and that machinery is in working condition and meeting standards of production. The work flow of manufacturing must also be checked regularly, and the production clerk may be required to communicate necessary changes and upgrades to the appropriate company officers.

Collaboration usually takes up a good part of the production clerk's work day. She spends time working with members of different company departments and maintains relationships with customers and suppliers. She also spends a good deal of time inspecting and tracking company processes, equipment, and employees. Much of her work will be completed on a computer, but she often will be required to maintain a paperwork collection and storage system for manufacturing related records as well.