What does an inventory control analyst do?
An Inventory Control Analyst is responsible for managing the adequacy of inventories for distribution and business operations. Inventory Control Analysts inspect the quality of tools and materials required for the production and identify cost-reduction opportunities without compromising the quality standards. They also perform administrative and clerical duties, such as filing reports, creating purchase requests, processing customers' orders and payments, and overseeing sales targets. An Inventory Control Analyst must have excellent organizational and computer skills, especially handling and updating databases and updating information for accurate reference.
Inventory control analyst responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real inventory control analyst resumes:
- Manage the implementation and roll-out of SharePoint as a team collaboration and document management tool.
- Prepare weekly and monthly inventory control and performance reporting from the data collect in the warehouse management system (WMS).
- Coordinate the procurement, logistics, inventory management, and supplier relations operations.
- Document all the new processes create and include them in the ISO procedures.
- Create and set up - new item numbers, UPC codes and BOM in company database.
- Procure materials base on MRP analysis to support marketing plan and follow up with vendors to ensure availability.
- Create documentation for trouble area's moving production material to appropriate WIP locations that help increase product production.
- Develop inventory and distribution logistics plans and procedures.
- Analyze and reconcile physical and perpetual POS inventory levels.
- Analyze and compare BOM requirements with AS400 system inventory information.
- Participate in system transition from legacy to JDA forecasting system.
- Utilize WMS to determine product storage locations leading to improve efficiency.
- Project manager for derivative processing on the accounting platform including creating a steam line process and validating tickets for accuracy.
- Work extensively with buyers to maintain inventory acceptable to the business KPI s for inventory turns, aging and obsolesce.
- Play key role in the direction of safety, kaizen events, business metrics, customer relations and business principles.
Inventory control analyst skills and personality traits
We calculated that 10% of Inventory Control Analysts are proficient in Logistics, Inventory Control Procedures, and Inventory Management. They’re also known for soft skills such as Writing skills, Analytical skills, and Interpersonal skills.
We break down the percentage of Inventory Control Analysts that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Logistics, 10%
Provided cross-functional leadership with Finance and Logistics to ensure accuracy of planning system master data.
- Inventory Control Procedures, 7%
Developed and maintained inventory control procedures for use in both the manufacturing and sales divisions of a large international company.
- Inventory Management, 5%
Provided logistical operations support within the areas of production schedules, procurement, customer service, and inventory management.
- WMS, 5%
Utilized WMS to determine product storage locations leading to improved efficiency.
- Purchase Orders, 5%
Communicated and negotiated with foreign and domestic vendors on shipment details, including cancellations/additions to purchase orders.
- Process Improvement, 5%
Collaborated with store personnel to identify and implement process improvements in retail inventory control, facilitating accuracy and labor efficiency.
"logistics," "inventory control procedures," and "inventory management" are among the most common skills that inventory control analysts use at work. You can find even more inventory control analyst responsibilities below, including:
Analytical skills. Many inventory control analyst duties rely on analytical skills. "operations research analysts use a range of methods, including forecasting and data mining, to examine and interpret data.," so an inventory control analyst will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways inventory control analyst responsibilities rely on analytical skills: "trained new departmental personnel on data entry procedures. "
Interpersonal skills. inventory control analysts are also known for interpersonal skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to inventory control analyst responsibilities, because "operations research analysts typically work on teams." An inventory control analyst resume example shows how interpersonal skills is used in the workplace: "still based in customer service, management is largely based on effective interpersonal communication skills. "
Problem-solving skills. inventory control analyst responsibilities often require "problem-solving skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "operations research analysts need to be able to diagnose problems and study relevant information to solve them." This resume example shows what inventory control analysts do with problem-solving skills on a typical day: "perform thorough research and document inventory discrepancies using all available resources to identify root causes and supply possible solutions. "
Math skills. A commonly-found skill in inventory control analyst job descriptions, "math skills" is essential to what inventory control analysts do. Inventory control analyst responsibilities rely on this skill because "the models and methods used by operations research analysts are rooted in statistics, calculus, linear algebra, and other mathematics disciplines." You can also see how inventory control analyst duties rely on math skills in this resume example: "generated reports for month end and year end financial closings and inventory audits as well as on inventory statistics and processes. "
Communication skills. Lastly, "communication skills" is an important element of what an inventory control analyst does. Inventory control analyst responsibilities require this skill because "operations research analysts write memos, reports, and other documents and often present their data and conclusions to managers and other executives." This resume example highlights how inventory control analyst duties rely on this skill: "collaborated with production, sales and distribution centers to improve communication quality. "
The three companies that hire the most inventory control analysts are:
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Compare different inventory control analysts
Inventory control analyst vs. Co-operations internship
Co-operations interns perform various tasks for an organization. These include troubleshooting computer issues for employees, updating the documentation on internal troubleshooting, and designing and performing clerical tasks such as data entry and making telephone calls. Co-operations interns must learn management techniques to lead and supervise others, assist in the management and implementation of production plans, and participate in meetings with the manager. They are also expected to perform tasks such as researching and preparing logistics reports.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an inventory control analyst are more likely to require skills like "logistics," "inventory control procedures," "inventory management," and "wms." On the other hand, a job as a co-operations internship requires skills like "python," "c++," "c #," and "customer service." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Co-operations interns really shine in the energy industry with an average salary of $41,064. Comparatively, inventory control analysts tend to make the most money in the transportation industry with an average salary of $55,669.The education levels that co-operations interns earn slightly differ from inventory control analysts. In particular, co-operations interns are 3.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an inventory control analyst. Additionally, they're 1.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Inventory control analyst vs. Graduate research associate
A graduate research associate is tasked with many responsibilities. Firstly, you may be required to monitor the progress of research projects and coordinate information between departmental sections. Secondly, depending on where you find a placement, you may be the one in charge of the laboratory. If so, you will perform a wide range of assays, tests, and studies. Your job may also involve the performance of advanced laboratory experiments. You may also collect, prepare, and analyze slides for tissue cultures.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that inventory control analyst responsibilities requires skills like "logistics," "inventory control procedures," "inventory management," and "wms." But a graduate research associate might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "r," "technical reports," "cell culture," and "research projects."
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Graduate research associates tend to reach higher levels of education than inventory control analysts. In fact, they're 17.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Inventory control analyst vs. Analyst
Analysts are employees or individual contributors with a vast experience in a particular field that help the organization address challenges. They help the organization improve processes, policies, and other operations protocol by studying the current processes in place and determining the effectiveness of those processes. They also research industry trends and data to make sound inferences and recommendations on what the company should do to improve their numbers. Analysts recommend business solutions and often help the organization roll out these solutions. They ensure that the proposed action plans are effective and produce the desired results.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, inventory control analysts are more likely to have skills like "logistics," "inventory control procedures," "inventory management," and "wms." But a analyst is more likely to have skills like "customer service," "troubleshoot," "data analysis," and "project management."
Analysts earn the highest salary when working in the technology industry, where they receive an average salary of $79,330. Comparatively, inventory control analysts have the highest earning potential in the transportation industry, with an average salary of $55,669.analysts typically earn higher educational levels compared to inventory control analysts. Specifically, they're 6.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Inventory control analyst vs. Supply systems analyst
Supply systems analyst professionals are responsible for collecting and analyzing data that will improve the supply chain operations of an organization. These analysts are required to develop and perform logistics management operations that can involve planning, costing, coordinating, and relevant program evaluations. They must support planning and inventory management by developing applications that can perform automated inventory management and reporting. They must also liaise between the production and warehouse management to ensure the proper flow of product through the supply chain.
Types of inventory control analyst
Updated January 8, 2025
