A storeman controls the stores: receiving goods, storing them correctly, issuing them against authorised requests, and keeping the records that show what should be on the shelf. The role is common in manufacturing, mining, construction, workshops and municipalities, and it carries real accountability because the storeman answers for stock that goes missing.
This guide covers storeman duties and responsibilities, the daily routine, and how the role differs by setting. It sits in the General Worker Warehouse Logistics duties and responsibilities cluster, part of the wider job duties guide.
What Does a Storeman Do?
A storeman is the gatekeeper of a store or stockroom. Nothing should come in without being checked and recorded, and nothing should go out without an authorised requisition. Between those two points the storeman keeps stock in good condition, in a known location, and in a quantity that matches the system.
The difference between a storeman and a general warehouse hand is accountability for the record. A storeman is expected to explain a variance, not simply to move goods.
Key Storeman Duties and Responsibilities
- Receiving deliveries and checking quantity, description and condition against the delivery note and order.
- Recording receipts on the stock system and filing supporting documentation.
- Rejecting or noting short, damaged or incorrect deliveries and reporting them to procurement.
- Storing goods in the correct bin or location, safely stacked and correctly labelled.
- Issuing stock only against authorised requisitions and recording every issue.
- Maintaining minimum and maximum stock levels and raising requisitions for replenishment.
- Conducting cycle counts and assisting with periodic stock takes.
- Investigating and reporting stock variances between system and physical count.
- Applying stock rotation so older or dated stock is issued first.
- Controlling access to the store and securing it when unattended.
- Keeping the store clean, orderly and safe, including aisles and stacking heights.
- Handling returns, obsolete stock and scrap according to procedure.
- Job description duties and responsibilities: for employers writing up this role.
Daily Tasks of a Storeman
- Start of day: open and check the store, review outstanding requisitions and expected deliveries.
- Morning: receive and check deliveries, capture receipts, put goods away in their locations.
- Through the day: issue stock against requisitions, record issues, answer queries from workshops or departments.
- Afternoon: run cycle counts on selected lines, follow up variances, raise replenishment requisitions.
- End of day: file paperwork, tidy and secure the store, hand over outstanding issues.
Storeman Skills and Competencies
- Numeracy and accuracy: counting, checking and recording without error.
- System literacy: confident use of the stock or ERP system in use.
- Organisation: a store where everything has a location and the location is right.
- Firmness on procedure: refusing to issue without authorisation, including to senior staff.
- Safe handling: correct lifting, stacking and use of materials handling equipment.
- Integrity: the role is a control point, and it only works if it is trusted.
Storeman Duties by Workplace or Industry
Manufacturing and Workshops
The store holds spares, consumables and tools issued against job cards. Duties include tracking tools issued and returned, and keeping critical spares available so production is not stopped.
Construction Sites
Site stores handle materials, plant and personal protective equipment, often across several subcontractors. Duties include issuing protective equipment, recording plant movements and securing high-value materials on an open site.
Mining
Stores are more controlled, with stricter issue authorisation, certification requirements on some items, and formal variance reporting. Record keeping is audited more frequently than in general industry.
Municipalities and Public Sector
Duties follow supply chain management procedures, with prescribed requisition and receipt documentation, asset marking and formal stock take processes.
Storeman Duties for a CV
Give the number of stock lines, the system you used and your stock accuracy or variance record. Use the duties for a CV guide for the method.
- Controlled a workshop store of 1 800 stock lines, receiving, issuing and recording all movements on the stock system.
- Conducted weekly cycle counts and maintained stock accuracy above 98% at annual stock take.
- Checked and receipted an average of 40 deliveries a month, resolving short and damaged deliveries with suppliers.
- Issued stock strictly against authorised requisitions, with full traceability of every movement.
Related Job Roles and Responsibilities
- Stock Controller duties and responsibilities: focused on stock accuracy and variance analysis rather than the physical store.
- Warehouse Assistant duties and responsibilities: handling and movement without the issue-control accountability.
- General Worker duties and responsibilities: general site and yard support work.
- Driver duties and responsibilities: for the transport side of receipts and dispatch.
Frequently Asked Questions About Storeman Duties
What are the duties of a storeman?
Receiving and checking deliveries, recording receipts, storing goods correctly, issuing stock against authorised requisitions, maintaining stock levels, conducting cycle counts and stock takes, investigating variances, applying stock rotation, securing the store and keeping it safe and orderly.
What is the difference between a storeman and a stock controller?
A storeman physically controls the store: receiving, storing, issuing and securing. A stock controller focuses on the data: accuracy, replenishment levels, variance investigation and reporting. In smaller organisations one person does both.
What qualifications does a storeman need?
Matric with numeracy and computer literacy is the usual requirement. A forklift or materials handling certificate is often required or advantageous, and warehousing or supply chain certificates help for larger stores.
Is a storeman responsible for stock losses?
A storeman is accountable for following the receipt, issue and counting procedures and for reporting variances honestly and promptly. Whether a loss results in disciplinary action depends on whether procedure was followed, which is exactly why accurate records protect the person in the role.
Duties vary by employer and sector. Where supply chain management or mining regulations apply, those procedures take precedence over this general guide.
Last reviewed: 1 September 2026