Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Seafood Clerk

🎯 Role Definition

Are you passionate about the ocean's bounty and love sharing that passion with others? This role requires a dynamic and customer-focused Seafood Clerk to join our vibrant team. As the face of our seafood department, you will be more than just a clerk; you'll be a trusted advisor, a quality expert, and a key player in our store's success. This role is perfect for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, takes pride in their work, and is dedicated to providing customers with the freshest, highest-quality seafood and an unforgettable shopping experience. You will be instrumental in maintaining the department's pristine appearance, ensuring food safety compliance, and driving sales through your expert knowledge and friendly service.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Grocery Clerk or Stocker
Deli or Meat Clerk
Food Service Worker or Line Cook
Cashier with a passion for fresh food

Advancement To:

Seafood Specialist or Lead
Assistant Seafood Manager
Seafood Department Manager
Store Management Training Programs

Lateral Moves:

Meat Cutter / Butcher Apprentice
Deli or Cheese Specialist
Produce Department Associate

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Greet customers warmly, proactively engage with them to determine their needs, and provide expert advice on seafood selection, preparation, and cooking techniques.
Skillfully and safely handle a variety of fresh and frozen seafood, including filleting, gutting, scaling, and portioning fish according to customer requests and company standards.
Accurately weigh, price, and package customer selections, ensuring proper labeling and adherence to all weights and measures regulations.
Meticulously maintain the visual appeal and freshness of the seafood display case, ensuring it is fully stocked, well-organized, and properly iced throughout the day.
Execute proper stock rotation using the First-In, First-Out (FIFO) principle to maximize product freshness and minimize waste.
Uphold and enforce all food safety protocols, including HACCP guidelines, to ensure a safe and sanitary environment for both customers and team members.
Regularly clean and sanitize all work areas, including cutting boards, knives, scales, counters, and display cases, to meet or exceed health code standards.
Receive and unload seafood deliveries, carefully inspecting products for quality, temperature, and accuracy against invoices before storing them properly.
Prepare a range of value-added products, such as marinated fillets, seafood salads, kabobs, and stuffed clams, to entice customers and increase sales.
Operate and maintain department equipment, including scales, wrapping machines, steamers, and ice machines, ensuring they are clean and in good working order.
Advise customers on product sustainability, sourcing information, and flavor profiles to help them make informed purchasing decisions.
Handle special orders and customer requests with professionalism and a can-do attitude, ensuring a positive outcome.
Monitor and record temperatures of coolers, freezers, and display cases at regular intervals to ensure product integrity.
Build rapport with regular customers, creating a loyal following for the department through personalized service and consistent quality.
Proactively learn about new seafood products, seasonal offerings, and industry trends to serve as a knowledgeable resource.

Secondary Functions

Assist in conducting regular and end-of-period inventory counts to ensure accurate stock records and support ordering processes.
Collaborate with the Department Manager to execute merchandising plans, promotions, and seasonal displays to drive sales and customer engagement.
Support other fresh departments (e.g., Meat, Deli) during peak business hours or as needed to ensure overall store success.
Participate actively in team meetings, contributing ideas for improving department operations, sales, and customer service.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Seafood Product Knowledge: Deep understanding of different fish and shellfish species, including seasonality, taste profiles, and origins.
Knife Handling & Cutting Skills: Proficiency in safely using various knives for filleting, steaking, skinning, and portioning seafood.
Food Safety & HACCP: Strong knowledge of food safety regulations, proper temperature controls, and sanitation procedures.
Scale & POS Operation: Ability to accurately operate digital scales for weighing and pricing, and process transactions on a Point-of-Sale system.
Inventory Management: Basic understanding of stock rotation (FIFO), ordering, and waste tracking.
Merchandising & Display: Skill in creating attractive, fresh, and appealing displays in an iced seafood case.

Soft Skills

Exceptional Customer Service: A friendly, approachable, and patient demeanor with a genuine desire to help customers.
Strong Communication Skills: Ability to clearly and effectively explain complex topics (like cooking methods or flavor profiles) to customers and team members.
Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to cleaning, product quality checks, and accurate pricing.
Teamwork & Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with others in a fast-paced team environment.
Problem-Solving: Capacity to handle customer concerns or unexpected situations calmly and professionally.
Physical Stamina: Ability to stand for extended periods, lift heavy boxes (up to 50 lbs), and work in a cold, wet environment.
Time Management: Ability to prioritize tasks effectively to manage customer flow, stocking, and cleaning duties.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or equivalent.

Preferred Education:

Food Handler or ServSafe Certification.
Certificate from a culinary or hospitality program.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Culinary Arts
Hospitality and Food Service Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

0-2 years of experience in a customer-facing role, preferably in retail, grocery, or food service.

Preferred:

1+ years of direct experience working in a seafood department, fish market, or as a butcher/meat cutter.
Demonstrable experience handling and cutting fish is a significant asset.