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The differences between inventory control managers and materials supervisors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become an inventory control manager, becoming a materials supervisor takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a materials supervisor has an average salary of $67,592, which is higher than the $59,401 average annual salary of an inventory control manager.
The top three skills for an inventory control manager include inventory control procedures, sales floor and customer service. The most important skills for a materials supervisor are continuous improvement, safety procedures, and logistics.
| Inventory Control Manager | Materials Supervisor | |
| Yearly salary | $59,401 | $67,592 |
| Hourly rate | $28.56 | $32.50 |
| Growth rate | -3% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 61,002 | 61,634 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Average age | 47 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
An inventory control manager is an individual who is responsible for directing all tasks related to inventory management of a company. They manage the allocation of materials, supplies, and finished goods as well as design strategies to minimize the cost or time to move goods. They are required to lead a team of storage or warehouse personnel to help them with the actual inventory count. Inventory control managers must also develop a business relationship with their suppliers or vendors.
The job of a materials supervisor is to oversee the shipping, receiving, handling, and warehousing of materials. You will supervise the transport of materials and ensure that the material needs of an organization are met. Typical job duties include overseeing the daily business operations of the group, ensuring best practices in safety, productivity, housekeeping. The supervisors ensure that attendance is being followed and monitoring routine operations in materials management, including logistics and planning. As a materials supervisor, you are also expected to mentor team members for professional and personal development.
Inventory control managers and materials supervisors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Inventory Control Manager | Materials Supervisor | |
| Average salary | $59,401 | $67,592 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $85,000 | Between $51,000 And $89,000 |
| Highest paying City | Richmond, CA | Elkhart, IN |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | Wyoming |
| Best paying company | Penguin Solutions | Mercy Corps |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between an inventory control manager and a materials supervisor in terms of educational background:
| Inventory Control Manager | Materials Supervisor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between inventory control managers' and materials supervisors' demographics:
| Inventory Control Manager | Materials Supervisor | |
| Average age | 47 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 71.0% Female, 29.0% | Male, 79.6% Female, 20.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 13.4% Asian, 7.8% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 12.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 4.8% White, 60.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 6% |