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Inventory analyst vs inventory controller

The differences between inventory analysts and inventory controllers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an inventory analyst has an average salary of $58,944, which is higher than the $36,911 average annual salary of an inventory controller.

The top three skills for an inventory analyst include supply chain, customer service and logistics. The most important skills for an inventory controller are inventory control, customer service, and data entry.

Inventory analyst vs inventory controller overview

Inventory AnalystInventory Controller
Yearly salary$58,944$36,911
Hourly rate$28.34$17.75
Growth rate23%1%
Number of jobs25,500140,496
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 34%
Average age4538
Years of experience--

What does an inventory analyst do?

An inventory analyst is an individual who is responsible for managing inventory items and the daily inventory operations of an organization. Inventory analysts are required to analyze inventory statistics and perform financial analytics to determine which products are selling the most and which are under-performing. They must coordinate with project managers and shipping supervisors to plan and schedule pickups of inventory items. Inventory analysts also order inventory from vendors and document any inventory discrepancies, such as missing items.

What does an inventory controller do?

An inventory controller is responsible for performing duties for the inventory department of an organization. Inventory controllers ensure the adequacy of the product and materials needed for daily operations. They maintain inventory reports, manage stock supplies, negotiate with third-party vendors for orders of quality products, monitor deliveries, verifying orders for shipment, handling the employee and customers' requests for supplies, and receiving orders efficiently. Inventory controllers keep receipts of all inventory transactions, as well as inspecting the quality of the inventory items, requiring them to have excellent analytical and critical-thinking skills.

Inventory analyst vs inventory controller salary

Inventory analysts and inventory controllers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Inventory AnalystInventory Controller
Average salary$58,944$36,911
Salary rangeBetween $42,000 And $80,000Between $28,000 And $48,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAEverett, MA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaMassachusetts
Best paying companyIntelGeneral Dynamics Mission Systems
Best paying industryManufacturingTechnology

Differences between inventory analyst and inventory controller education

There are a few differences between an inventory analyst and an inventory controller in terms of educational background:

Inventory AnalystInventory Controller
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 34%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern California-

Inventory analyst vs inventory controller demographics

Here are the differences between inventory analysts' and inventory controllers' demographics:

Inventory AnalystInventory Controller
Average age4538
Gender ratioMale, 56.1% Female, 43.9%Male, 59.4% Female, 40.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 8.5% White, 58.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 20.8% Asian, 6.7% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage9%6%

Differences between inventory analyst and inventory controller duties and responsibilities

Inventory analyst example responsibilities.

  • Manage vendor compliance and EDI contacts; set up new vendors and monitor EDI data flow.
  • Manage inventory procurement through MRP software.
  • Manage production and non-production stockrooms to ensure that inventory FIFO exceed industry standards.
  • Manage inventory levels by running bi-weekly MRP reports by identifying and validating purchasing requirements.
  • Collect, document, monitor, and review inventory data for accuracy and timeliness within an ERP SL system.
  • Analyze inventory transactions within ERP system.
  • Show more

Inventory controller example responsibilities.

  • Manage, review, analyze, verify, and ship raw, stock, purchase, QA, and manufacture materials.
  • Operate and set up CNC machines.
  • Move and organize stock using RF scanner.
  • Fill out BOL / SLI paperwork for various shipping and freight companies.
  • Receive in all material for warehouse, CNC shop, and front office.
  • Help implement the WMS system in the warehouse, perform cycle counts and do yearly physical inventories.
  • Show more

Inventory analyst vs inventory controller skills

Common inventory analyst skills
  • Supply Chain, 12%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Logistics, 7%
  • Purchase Orders, 6%
  • Inventory Control, 5%
  • Manage Inventory, 4%
Common inventory controller skills
  • Inventory Control, 23%
  • Customer Service, 21%
  • Data Entry, 6%
  • Math, 5%
  • Basic Math, 5%
  • Purchase Orders, 4%

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