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Inventory assistant vs inventory manager

The differences between inventory assistants and inventory managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an inventory manager has an average salary of $62,768, which is higher than the $35,411 average annual salary of an inventory assistant.

The top three skills for an inventory assistant include customer service, cycle counts and physical inventory. The most important skills for an inventory manager are PET, direct reports, and customer service.

Inventory assistant vs inventory manager overview

Inventory AssistantInventory Manager
Yearly salary$35,411$62,768
Hourly rate$17.02$30.18
Growth rate1%-6%
Number of jobs68,25330,717
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Average age3847
Years of experience-6

What does an inventory assistant do?

Inventory auditors are responsible for creating and monitoring inventory reports and for recording various products and stock. Often, an inventory auditor works full-time hours in a warehouse, delivery company, business establishment, or mall. Their job includes traveling to different locations, and they may work with multiple industries. They count an item's quantity and compare the inventory record to physical inventory to ensure there is no missing product.

What does an inventory manager do?

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.

Inventory assistant vs inventory manager salary

Inventory assistants and inventory managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Inventory AssistantInventory Manager
Average salary$35,411$62,768
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $50,000Between $43,000 And $91,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateVermontWashington
Best paying companyDana-Farber Cancer InstituteNVIDIA
Best paying industryTransportationRetail

Differences between inventory assistant and inventory manager education

There are a few differences between an inventory assistant and an inventory manager in terms of educational background:

Inventory AssistantInventory Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college-Stanford University

Inventory assistant vs inventory manager demographics

Here are the differences between inventory assistants' and inventory managers' demographics:

Inventory AssistantInventory Manager
Average age3847
Gender ratioMale, 54.8% Female, 45.2%Male, 69.4% Female, 30.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 21.7% Asian, 6.9% White, 53.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%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 Percentage6%10%

Differences between inventory assistant and inventory manager duties and responsibilities

Inventory assistant example responsibilities.

  • Perform research and data analysis to monitor inventory movement, logistics metrics, and identify and lead process improvement initiatives.
  • Perform scans of merchandise using an RGIS handheld computer to complete inventory audits on retail establishments

Inventory manager example responsibilities.

  • Accomplish and operate MRP and produce purchasing orders to optimize inventories of materials and supplies necessary to achieve production demands.
  • Manage a wide variety of customer service and administrative software such as TallyWizard and QuickBooks.
  • Manage control measures to ensure mistakes, inaccuracies and discrepancies are highlight, addressed and resolve.
  • Manage credit control, monthly reconciliations, management analysis and internal control.
  • Reduce new parts inventory and increase cash flow level each year with JIT deliveries.
  • Create and implement numerous processes, reports, and indicators for MRO inventory management.
  • Show more

Inventory assistant vs inventory manager skills

Common inventory assistant skills
  • Customer Service, 34%
  • Cycle Counts, 14%
  • Physical Inventory, 10%
  • Inventory Control, 6%
  • Data Entry, 5%
  • Inventory Process, 5%
Common inventory manager skills
  • PET, 75%
  • Direct Reports, 4%
  • Customer Service, 4%
  • Inventory Control, 2%
  • Logistics, 2%
  • Manage Inventory, 2%

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