What does an inventory control associate do?
In warehouses, an inventory control associate plays a significant role in its daily operations. It is their responsibility to monitor the inventory of supplies, receive job orders and process shipments, monitor the arrival and departure of cargo, and maintain records of all transactions, updating databases as necessary. There are also instances where they must operate machinery and maintain the cleanliness of work areas. Furthermore, as an inventory control associate, it is essential to participate in developing strategies to optimize the facility's supply chain operations while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.
Inventory control associate responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real inventory control associate resumes:
- Utilize RF system to manage warehouse shipments, reviewing shipments for shortages and overages within the dry goods warehouse.
- Participate in material management meetings, offering information on processing of depot support manage items.
- Issue RMA's using computer program and receive RMA goods.
- Maintain logistics schedule with trucking companies, customers, and other vendors.
- Locate products and materials using a RF scanner and transport to its designate aisle locations.
- Handle all task in the warehouse with responsibilities in shipments, pickups, and operating systems; shipping and receiving logistics.
- Communicate inventory information with inter-officials.
- Communicate inventory information with inter-officials.
Inventory control associate skills and personality traits
We calculated that 21% of Inventory Control Associates are proficient in Customer Service, Inventory Control, and Sales Floor. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Customer-service skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Inventory Control Associates that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 21%
Provide customer service through resolution of problems, detailed explanation of pricing expectations and policies and knowledge of salesperson specific accounts.
- Inventory Control, 15%
Managed inventory and transferred inventory from lotus spreadsheet to Access database and developed reports for both work schedules and inventory control.
- Sales Floor, 10%
Unloaded merchandise trucks according to store approved procedure.-Replenished stock to sales floor.-Used inventory management system to differentiate overstock from regular freight.
- Cycle Counts, 7%
Analyzed, investigated and resolved inventory discrepancies identified through daily inventory move reports and weekly cycle counts.
- Pallets, 4%
Organized pallets according to company - mandated stocking procedures and affixed appropriate labeling.
- Data Entry, 3%
Assisted in verification of inventory through data entry.
Most inventory control associates use their skills in "customer service," "inventory control," and "sales floor" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential inventory control associate responsibilities here:
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for an inventory control associate to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what inventory control associates do 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, an inventory control associate resume shows how inventory control associates use communication skills: "spare and repairs, depot review for repair personnel review and inspections of buildings for usage, it and communications"
Customer-service skills. Another essential skill to perform inventory control associate duties is customer-service skills. Inventory control associates responsibilities require that "stock clerks sometimes interact with customers in retail stores and may have to get the item the customer is looking for from the storeroom." Inventory control associates also use customer-service skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "received and processed incoming inventory picked, packed and shipped out customer orders performed daily cycle counts of current inventory"
Detail oriented. inventory control associates are also known for detail oriented, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to inventory control associate responsibilities, because "material and product inspecting clerks check items for defects, some of which are small and difficult to spot." An inventory control associate resume example shows how detail oriented is used in the workplace: "performed detailed cycle counts and receiving audits. "
Math skills. For certain inventory control associate responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "math skills." The day-to-day duties of an inventory control associate 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 inventory control associates do: "use basic math to add inventory. "
The three companies that hire the most inventory control associates are:
- Americold90 inventory control associates jobs
- Burlington76 inventory control associates jobs
- Hudson Group
40 inventory control associates jobs
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Compare different inventory control associates
Inventory control associate vs. Warehouse coordinator
A warehouse coordinator is responsible for monitoring the supply and distribution operations of a warehouse, loading and unloading merchandise from the delivery trucks, and storing items appropriately on the facility. Warehouse coordinators assist in packing and labeling items, pulling out products from delivery, and ensuring the correct quantity and quality of the items before release. They also inspect the efficiency and performance of warehouse tools and equipment, especially on schedule for regular maintenance, and call for repairs as needed.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between inventory control associates and warehouse coordinator. For instance, inventory control associate responsibilities require skills such as "sales floor," "stock merchandise," "powerpoint," and "inventory reports." Whereas a warehouse coordinator is skilled in "shipping receiving," "warehouse functions," "warehouse operations," and "warehouse equipment." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Warehouse coordinators earn the highest salaries when working in the health care industry, with an average yearly salary of $36,509. On the other hand, inventory control associates are paid more in the technology industry with an average salary of $42,799.warehouse coordinators tend to reach similar levels of education than inventory control associates. In fact, warehouse coordinators are 1.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Inventory control associate 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.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real inventory control associate resumes. While inventory control associate responsibilities can utilize skills like "sales floor," "math," "stock merchandise," and "powerpoint," warehouse technicians use skills like "warehouse environment," "shipping receiving," "logistics," and "patients."
On average, warehouse technicians earn a lower salary than inventory control associates. 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 inventory control associates have higher pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $42,799.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Warehouse technicians tend to reach similar levels of education than inventory control associates. In fact, they're 2.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Inventory control associate vs. Warehouse clerk
A warehouse clerk is an employee responsible for the process of ordered goods while keeping the warehouse well-organized and clean. Warehouse clerks accept company products' deliveries, inspect them for any damages, and store them accordingly in the warehouse. Companies require their warehouse clerks to have many skills, such as an operating forklift or other machinery to transport large and heavy goods. Warehouse clerks must also possess abilities like knowledge in Warehouse Management Software programs and detailed-oriented capable of noticing small errors in orders.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, inventory control associates are more likely to have skills like "inventory control," "wms," "stock merchandise," and "powerpoint." But a warehouse clerk is more likely to have skills like "work ethic," "strong work ethic," "logistics," and "patients."
Warehouse clerks make a very good living in the transportation industry with an average annual salary of $32,595. On the other hand, inventory control associates are paid the highest salary in the technology industry, with average annual pay of $42,799.warehouse clerks typically earn similar educational levels compared to inventory control associates. Specifically, they're 2.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Inventory control associate vs. Distribution specialist
A distribution specialist specializes in the real-time, time-bounded, secure distribution of products from factories and manufacturing plants to various stores and companies. They are also responsible for making inventories of incoming goods and machines to the factory where he/she works. They can be liable to any lost goods, erroneous inventories, malicious products, and troublesome staff sometimes. Every distribution specialist must ensure that production quotas are achieved and that any barriers to achieving these goals are resolved
Types of inventory control associate
Updated January 8, 2025
