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The differences between inventory controllers and inventory control leads can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an inventory control lead has an average salary of $45,155, which is higher than the $36,911 average annual salary of an inventory controller.
The top three skills for an inventory controller include inventory control, customer service and data entry. The most important skills for an inventory control lead are logistics, inventory adjustments, and physical inventory.
| Inventory Controller | Inventory Control Lead | |
| Yearly salary | $36,911 | $45,155 |
| Hourly rate | $17.75 | $21.71 |
| Growth rate | 1% | -3% |
| Number of jobs | 140,496 | 50,694 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 34% | Bachelor's Degree, 37% |
| Average age | 38 | 45 |
| Years of experience | - | 2 |
An inventory controller is responsible for performing duties for the inventory department of an organization. Inventory controllers ensure the adequacy of the product and materials needed for daily operations. They maintain inventory reports, manage stock supplies, negotiate with third-party vendors for orders of quality products, monitor deliveries, verifying orders for shipment, handling the employee and customers' requests for supplies, and receiving orders efficiently. Inventory controllers keep receipts of all inventory transactions, as well as inspecting the quality of the inventory items, requiring them to have excellent analytical and critical-thinking skills.
An Inventory Control Lead oversees supplies in an organization, aiming to meet market demands and avoid oversupply. They perform regular inspections and assessments, review invoices and other documentation, monitor product distribution operations, and produce regular progress reports. It is their responsibility to address issues and concerns, resolve them promptly, and efficiently maintain smooth workflow operations. Moreover, an Inventory Control Lead manages different teams, encouraging them to reach goals while implementing company policies and guidelines.
Inventory controllers and inventory control leads have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Inventory Controller | Inventory Control Lead | |
| Average salary | $36,911 | $45,155 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $48,000 | Between $28,000 And $72,000 |
| Highest paying City | Everett, MA | Romeoville, IL |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | General Dynamics Mission Systems | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Energy |
There are a few differences between an inventory controller and an inventory control lead in terms of educational background:
| Inventory Controller | Inventory Control Lead | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 34% | Bachelor's Degree, 37% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | Western Carolina University |
Here are the differences between inventory controllers' and inventory control leads' demographics:
| Inventory Controller | Inventory Control Lead | |
| Average age | 38 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 59.4% Female, 40.6% | Male, 67.9% Female, 32.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 20.8% Asian, 6.7% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% | Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 7.0% White, 60.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 11% |