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What is an inventory control specialist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
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An inventory control specialist is an individual responsible for managing and maintaining a company's inventory levels. They oversee the ordering, storage, and tracking of inventory to ensure that products are available when needed and that stock levels are optimized to minimize waste and cost. They also monitor sales data to make informed decisions.They work closely with other departments, such as purchasing and sales, to ensure that inventory levels meet customer demand while minimizing excess stock

ScoreInventory Control SpecialistUS Average
Salary
2.7

Avg. Salary $34,507

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
4.6

Growth rate 1%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.4
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.94%

Asian 7.04%

Black or African American 9.78%

Hispanic or Latino 18.95%

Unknown 5.46%

White 57.83%

Gender

female 36.84%

male 63.16%

Age - 35
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 35
Stress level
4.6

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
5.6

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance
7.1

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being an inventory control specialist?

Pros

  • Job stability due to the importance of inventory management

  • Opportunity to implement process improvements and increase efficiency

  • Regular working hours without the need for overtime

  • Competitive salary and benefits packages

  • High demand for inventory control specialists in various industries

Cons

  • High levels of stress during peak season or when dealing with inventory discrepancies

  • Constant need to stay updated on industry trends and technology advancements

  • High pressure to meet targets and adhere to strict inventory protocols

  • Need to be highly detail-oriented, which can be mentally exhausting

  • Potential for job automation as technology continues to advance.

Inventory control specialist career paths

Key steps to become an inventory control specialist

  1. Explore inventory control specialist education requirements

    Most common inventory control specialist degrees

    High School Diploma

    31.4 %

    Bachelor's

    31.2 %

    Associate

    23.8 %
  2. Start to develop specific inventory control specialist skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Customer Service18.34%
    Inventory Control Procedures10.07%
    Work Ethic5.76%
    Sales Floor5.60%
    Safety Standards4.85%
  3. Research inventory control specialist duties and responsibilities

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  4. Prepare your inventory control specialist resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your inventory control specialist resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an inventory control specialist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable inventory control specialist resume templates

    Build a professional inventory control specialist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your inventory control specialist resume.
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    Inventory Control Specialist Resume
    Inventory Control Specialist Resume
  5. Apply for inventory control specialist jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an inventory control specialist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first inventory control specialist job

Zippi

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Average inventory control specialist salary

The average inventory control specialist salary in the United States is $34,507 per year or $17 per hour. Inventory control specialist salaries range between $23,000 and $51,000 per year.

Average inventory control specialist salary
$34,507 Yearly
$16.59 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do inventory control specialists rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

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1 star

Inventory control specialist reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2022
Cons

Really enjoy everything


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2021
Pros

Freedom from supervision. Always busy, not stuck behind a desk. The variaty each days work.

Cons

Physical toll.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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