What does a cycle counter do?
A cycle counter is responsible for counting and monitoring product inventories at a warehouse to ensure materials align with the declared lists and documents. Besides their cycle counting responsibilities, they are also in charge of conducting reviews and assessments, utilizing special software to evaluate product inventories, measuring and weighing products, maintaining records, opening and re-packaging shipments, organizing products according to protocols, locating lost goods, and reporting inconsistent or damaged goods. Moreover, a cycle counter may also develop and recommend strategies to enhance inventory procedures, provide assistance to staff, and participate in maintaining work areas clean.
Cycle counter responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real cycle counter resumes:
- Manage JDE ERP module for service department of finish goods for sale and field support.
- Report inventory balances and cycle counts in both the ERP and WMS systems
- Maintain bakery case including some pastry baking, officiate fast food area, clean, take phone orders, work POS register
- Cycle counter- monitoring and controlling inventory integrity, responsible for completing physical inventories/cycle count/random or receipt audits/ reconciliations.
- Solve math problems with calculators, calculator software.
- Use of AS400 to count inventory in the warehouse.
- Experience using WMS (Manhattan) scanner, PC word and excel.
- Utilize the AS400 system on the hand hold and computer to make adjustments as needed.
- Pick orders, by way of high reach fork truck, or case-pick mix pallets by hand, per customer requirements.
- Maintain cleanliness of equipment, tables, utensils, floor (to ensure safety), and sanitation regulations are meet.
- Research and reconciliations of discrepancies.
- Maintain daily cleanliness of department.
- Work evening shift in quality assurance cycling inventory, finding misplace pallets of inventory.
- Perform research and data analysis to monitor inventory movement, logistics metrics, and identify and lead process improvement initiatives.
- Train employees to use hand hold technology proprietary to RGIS.
Cycle counter skills and personality traits
We calculated that 14% of Cycle Counters are proficient in Math, Inventory Control, and Pallets. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Customer-service skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Cycle Counters that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Math, 14%
Inventory Cycle Counter, strong math and analytical skills and the ability to read and comprehend reports.
- Inventory Control, 10%
Informed Inventory Control Manager of any adjustments to inventory level that would affect production process.
- Pallets, 10%
Work evening shift in quality assurance cycling inventory, finding misplaced pallets of inventory.
- Inventory Issues, 7%
Cycle Counter/Inventory Investigate and make necessary adjustments on any inventory issues that may arise.
- WMS, 4%
Conducted accurate daily cycle counts of warehouse inventory using WMS, MS Office, AS400, etc.
- Inventory Audits, 3%
Assisted and instructed the corporate office with special projects and annual inventory audits.
"math," "inventory control," and "pallets" are among the most common skills that cycle counters use at work. You can find even more cycle counter responsibilities below, including:
Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for a cycle counter to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "production, planning, and expediting clerks are frequently in contact with suppliers, vendors, and production managers and need to communicate the firm’s scheduling needs effectively." Additionally, a cycle counter resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "performed production audits, measured and reported performance ratings, and strengthened proper iso procedure communication. "
Customer-service skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling cycle counter duties is customer-service skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "stock clerks sometimes interact with customers in retail stores and may have to get the item the customer is looking for from the storeroom." According to a cycle counter resume, here's how cycle counters can utilize customer-service skills in their job responsibilities: "correct inaccurate inventory balances, ensures accurate picking of products for customers. "
Detail oriented. This is an important skill for cycle counters to perform their duties. For an example of how cycle counter responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "material and product inspecting clerks check items for defects, some of which are small and difficult to spot." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a cycle counter: "identified and resolved inventory issues and variances with attention to detail. ".
Math skills. For certain cycle counter responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "math skills." The day-to-day duties of a cycle counter rely on this skill, as "some material recording clerks use math to calculate shipping costs or take measurements." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what cycle counters do: "solved math problems with calculators, calculator software. "
The three companies that hire the most cycle counters are:
- Sysco118 cycle counters jobs
- Stoughton Trailers20 cycle counters jobs
- Geodis Wilson USA Inc13 cycle counters jobs
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Compare different cycle counters
Cycle counter vs. Warehouse specialist
A warehouse specialist is someone who manages the daily procedures and functions of the warehouse efficiently and effectively. Their services are often needed in shipping docks, airports, and other industry warehouses. The specialist's primary responsibilities include supervising the shipping and receiving of materials and products, organizing the storage area, and monitoring the inventory. Candidates for the job must have strong knowledge in inventory control systems, able to multi-task, be physically fit, and able to safely operate warehouse machinery.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between cycle counters and warehouse specialist. For instance, cycle counter responsibilities require skills such as "inventory issues," "inventory audits," "inventory variances," and "reconciliations." Whereas a warehouse specialist is skilled in "customer service," "logistics," "safety regulations," and "storage locations." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Warehouse specialists earn the highest salaries when working in the transportation industry, with an average yearly salary of $36,575. On the other hand, cycle counters are paid more in the professional industry with an average salary of $38,638.The education levels that warehouse specialists earn slightly differ from cycle counters. In particular, warehouse specialists are 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a cycle counter. Additionally, they're 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Cycle counter vs. Warehouse technician
A warehouse technician is responsible for monitoring the incoming and outgoing goods and services in the warehouse or distribution centers. Warehouse technicians verify shipment details, assist with packaging items, move merchandise to storage areas, inspect the quality of items for release, and escalate defective products for immediate replacement. They also operate various warehouse equipment and machinery, conduct maintenance repairs, and loading and unloading items from the delivery trucks. A warehouse technician must have excellent time-management and organizational skills, especially on processing orders and creating reports for inventory receipts.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that cycle counter responsibilities requires skills like "math," "inventory issues," "inventory audits," and "inventory variances." But a warehouse technician might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "customer service," "warehouse environment," "logistics," and "patients."
On average, warehouse technicians earn a higher salary than cycle counters. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, warehouse technicians earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $36,898. Whereas cycle counters have higher pay in the professional industry, with an average salary of $38,638.In general, warehouse technicians achieve similar levels of education than cycle counters. They're 0.0% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Cycle counter vs. Supply technician
In a warehouse setting, a supply technician is responsible for handling all the incoming and outgoing products, ensuring accuracy in inventory and logistics. Most of the time, they are in charge of maintaining and keeping records, loading and unloading shipments and deliveries, verifying invoices, and processing documents. A supply technician often works under the supervision of a manager or supervisor, and it is essential to report any complicated issues that need to be resolved. Furthermore, one must adhere to the policies and regulations and maintain a safe environment for everyone.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from cycle counter resumes include skills like "basic math," "pallets," "inventory issues," and "wms," whereas a supply technician is more likely to list skills in "customer service," "patients," "rehabilitation," and "storage management. "
Supply technicians earn the highest salary when working in the technology industry, where they receive an average salary of $50,167. Comparatively, cycle counters have the highest earning potential in the professional industry, with an average salary of $38,638.supply technicians typically earn similar educational levels compared to cycle counters. Specifically, they're 2.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Cycle counter vs. Unit supply specialist
In a manufacturing setting, a unit supply specialist is in charge of overseeing stocks and inventories to ensure smooth supply chain operations. Their responsibilities include establishing inventory guidelines, monitoring the supply and demand of products, performing research and analysis to identify new business opportunities, managing the procurement procedures, and developing strategies to optimize operations. Furthermore, as a supply chain specialist, it is essential to lead and encourage teams to reach goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Types of cycle counter
Updated January 8, 2025
