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The differences between distribution warehouse managers and inventory managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a distribution warehouse manager and an inventory manager. Additionally, an inventory manager has an average salary of $62,768, which is higher than the $28,318 average annual salary of a distribution warehouse manager.
The top three skills for a distribution warehouse manager include safety procedures, logistics and operational procedures. The most important skills for an inventory manager are PET, direct reports, and customer service.
| Distribution Warehouse Manager | Inventory Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $28,318 | $62,768 |
| Hourly rate | $13.61 | $30.18 |
| Growth rate | - | -6% |
| Number of jobs | 65,273 | 30,717 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Average age | 45 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A distribution warehouse manager pursues performance improvement and makes informed decisions to maintain smooth operations. Besides supervising inventory security, distribution warehouse managers also support purchasing managers to attain maximum re-ordering systems. They put into practice a just-in-time type of inventory system by working hand-in-hand with suppliers to coordinate computer systems. Moreover, distribution warehouse managers ensure safe product transport and partner with suppliers to enhance optimal product packing, stocking, and labeling.
An inventory manager is responsible for supervising the overall inventory operations, monitoring supplies and materials, and checking the accuracy of data reports from the inventory associates. Inventory managers' duties include validating stock levels using record software tools, determining the availability of stocks for purchase orders, inspecting the incoming and outgoing shipments, and addressing product concerns by communicating with suppliers and third-party vendors. An inventory manager must have excellent communication and leadership skills to handle the staff's performance and manage customers' inquiries and complaints.
Distribution warehouse managers and inventory managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Distribution Warehouse Manager | Inventory Manager | |
| Average salary | $28,318 | $62,768 |
| Salary range | Between $7,000 And $101,000 | Between $43,000 And $91,000 |
| Highest paying City | Bethlehem, PA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Washington |
| Best paying company | Schneider Electric Industrial Services | NVIDIA |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Retail |
There are a few differences between a distribution warehouse manager and an inventory manager in terms of educational background:
| Distribution Warehouse Manager | Inventory Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between distribution warehouse managers' and inventory managers' demographics:
| Distribution Warehouse Manager | Inventory Manager | |
| Average age | 45 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.0% Female, 13.0% | Male, 69.4% Female, 30.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 6.1% White, 59.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 13.1% Asian, 8.5% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 10% |