What does a Seafood Clerk do?

A Seafood Clerk serves as the face of their department or store. They help customers form a positive first impression by being friendly and attentive, and they help to ensure customer satisfaction by answering questions and making recommendations. When they perform their job duties proficiently, they can drive repeat business and encourage positive word-of-mouth marketing. In addition, a Seafood Clerk helps to reduce the risk of foodborne illness by keeping their work areas clean and sanitary. 

Seafood Clerk skills and qualifications

To excel in a Seafood Clerk position, candidates must meet certain qualifications. The following are some desirable skills to include in your Seafood Clerk job description:

• In-depth knowledge of cooking techniques and the characteristics of various types of seafood

• Ability to operate scales and use knives, cutters and other equipment

• Interpersonal skills to work well with coworkers and interact positively with customers

• Interviewing skills to uncover customers’ preferences when making recommendations

• Oral communication skills to provide answers to customers’ questions

• Ability to remain upright for most of a shift

• Familiarity with food and occupational safety standards

• Computer skills to use inventory control and point-of-service software

Seafood Clerk experience requirements

Seafood Clerks usually learn on the job through training programs, so candidates may be able to succeed in the position with little to no previous experience. However, employers may wish to prioritize candidates who have at least one or two years of work history related to seafood. Relevant experience may include working in a restaurant or as a Seafood Clerk at another store. Previous customer service experience can also be a desirable trait.

Seafood Clerk education and training requirements

Usually, formal education is not necessary to perform Seafood Clerk duties and responsibilities proficiently. Depending on the laws in your area, prospective Seafood Clerks may need to hold food safety certification. Most certification programs include a few hours of training and culminate in a written exam. You may wish to prioritize candidates who already have the necessary food safety credentials.

Seafood Clerk salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Seafood Clerk is $15.62 per hour. How much a Seafood Clerk can expect to earn depends on their geographic location, level of experience, education and training and food safety certification status.

Job description samples for similar positions

If this Seafood Clerk job description doesn’t fully reflect your business needs, consider one of the following closely related job titles:

• Cashier

• Deli Clerk

• Grocery Clerk

• Stocker

Seafood Clerk job description FAQs

What’s the difference between a Seafood Assistant and a Seafood Clerk?

A Seafood Assistant is someone who helps with breaking down and packaging whole fish and seafood when vendors deliver it. They usually don’t wait on customers. A Seafood Clerk is the team member who provides direct customer service at stores that employ both clerks and assistants.

What’s the difference between a Seafood Assistant and a Seafood Manager?

A Seafood Manager is accountable for the entire seafood department at a grocery store. They supervise, coach and train employees and are responsible for leading teams to achieve goals related to sales, customer satisfaction and hygiene and safety standards. In addition, they may handle customer complaints and be responsible for ordering seafood and supplies.

What makes for a good Seafood Clerk job description?

A good Seafood Clerk job description will build candidates’ desire to apply. Start off with a bulleted list that summarizes the main benefits of working for your store. For example, you could call out things like opportunities for advancement, flexible scheduling and health insurance benefits. Also, writing a detailed profile of your organization that highlights your core values and mission can make your job description more compelling.

Do a Seafood Clerk’s duties and responsibilities vary in different settings?

Depending on where they work, a Seafood Clerk may have different duties and responsibilities. In grocery stores, Seafood Clerks are less likely to process sales transactions and may be occasionally called upon to assist other departments. Grocery stores may also sell meat and seafood at one counter, requiring clerks to be familiar with poultry and various cuts of beef, pork and lamb. At some retailers, Seafood Clerks may assist with the preparation of ready-to-eat dishes like deviled crab or sushi.