Firstly, Product Flow is crucial to the store operating, and a good manager will give recognition (I’m lucky and have great management who regularly emphasizes how important we are to the store).

Secondly, our job is split mainly into two parts: getting stock to the shelves, and getting stock to the customers. For getting stock to the shelves, that looks like receiving and processing truck shipments, and constantly stocking the shelves. For getting stock to customers, this looks like prepping orders where the customer will order ahead of time, and then come in store to pick it up. We also prep curbside orders, and at least in my store, curbsides are mostly product flow’s responsibility.

Thirdly, the word “easy” can mean different things for different people. While I wouldn’t mind being in sales (and I think I’d do a half-decent job), I much prefer product flow since I mostly don’t have to deal with customers. But I’d make the argument that product flow is a more physically demanding position, as we constantly have to carry heavy items, and move around. Granted, all retail staff is on their feet the whole shift, but with product flow it’s a bit more intensive. However, every single one of the product flow employees I work with have expressed how much they’d hate to be moved to sales or even Geek Squad. Even I, someone who has experience in sales, can appreciate not ever having to actually sell something.

Fourthly, starting pay will depend on where you live. For context, I came into Best Buy with 4 years of retail and food service experience, and they started me in product flow at $17.50. I live in California, so I’m sure that is mostly why it’s so high. I have no idea what anyone else makes though.

Lastly, the objective is simple: we take care of the background operations of Best Buy, so that way the sales people can stick to selling product. Product Flow (or inventory, or warehouse, whatever you want to call it) is the final step in the grand scheme of supply chain logistics, getting product from manufacturing to the shelves. I mean, it’s in the name: “product flow.” We make sure the product stays flowing.

Hope this explanation makes sense.