What does an inventory controller do?
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.
Inventory controller responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real inventory controller resumes:
- Manage, review, analyze, verify, and ship raw, stock, purchase, QA, and manufacture materials.
- Operate and set up CNC machines.
- Move and organize stock using RF scanner.
- Fill out BOL / SLI paperwork for various shipping and freight companies.
- Receive in all material for warehouse, CNC shop, and front office.
- Help implement the WMS system in the warehouse, perform cycle counts and do yearly physical inventories.
- Verify and process all product and raw good orders place and receive using computer base MRP system.
- Perform cycle counts using WMS and SIMS to keep accurate track of all inventory entering and exiting warehouse during operations
- Process all changes to physical inventory utilizing IBM AS400 system as a result of returns, breakage and unit pack.
- Used RF guns to scan and count pallets of product accurately, reporting any problems or inaccuracies to inventory team.
- Maintain inventory levels accurately with MRP techniques.
- Reconcile virtual inventory to physical inventory on a daily basis using AS400.
- Develop inventory control policies as company create operational procedures necessary for ISO and AISC certification.
- Print labels, restrain and secure out-going shipments and document in-coming and out-going inventory levels.
- Communicate inventory information with inter-officials.
Inventory controller skills and personality traits
We calculated that 23% of Inventory Controllers are proficient in Inventory Control, Customer Service, and Data Entry. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Customer-service skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Inventory Controllers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Inventory Control, 23%
Performed inventory control for $8 million dollar inventory by precisely attending to detail and recording accurate information into AS400 system.
- Customer Service, 21%
Inventory control and shipping- Promotion of products and services- Outside event promotions- Customer Service**All work performed and volunteered under family management
- Data Entry, 6%
Count incoming and outgoing pallets*Load and unload trucks for shipping and receiving*Data entry for inventory
- Math, 5%
Present strong mathematical knowledge and various math applications.
- Basic Math, 5%
Travel to various stores and inventory their product using hand/finger scanners and basic math skills.
- Purchase Orders, 4%
Compiled and organized records for ordering shipping and receiving materials and enhanced purchase orders and ensured payment by regular follow-up.
Most inventory controllers use their skills in "inventory control," "customer service," and "data entry" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential inventory controller responsibilities here:
Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for an inventory controller to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role 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 controller resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "reconcile purchase orders, data entry and communication with vendors/suppliers. "
Customer-service skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling inventory controller duties is customer-service skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "stock clerks sometimes interact with customers in retail stores and may have to get the item the customer is looking for from the storeroom." According to an inventory controller resume, here's how inventory controllers can utilize customer-service skills in their job responsibilities: "performed routine clerical duties, including data entry, answering telephones, and assisting customers. "
Detail oriented. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of inventory controllers is detail oriented. This skill is critical to many everyday inventory controller duties, as "material and product inspecting clerks check items for defects, some of which are small and difficult to spot." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "reduced departmental shrinkage through the application of sound loss prevention principals* completed required inventory counts and drafted reports detailing shrinkage. "
Math skills. A big part of what inventory controllers do relies on "math skills." You can see how essential it is to inventory controller responsibilities because "some material recording clerks use math to calculate shipping costs or take measurements." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical inventory controller tasks: "pick pack load unload inventory control dock work loading trucks flushing zones re scanner basic math used"
The three companies that hire the most inventory controllers are:
- Jetro Cash & Carry Enterprises Inc.130 inventory controllers jobs
- Quanta Services18 inventory controllers jobs
- Dollar General7 inventory controllers jobs
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Compare different inventory controllers
Inventory controller vs. Shipping and receiving associate
Usually, shipping and receiving associates work in retail or a warehouse to manage the incoming and outgoing materials and products. Shipping and receiving associates keep records of all the materials received and shipped. They develop the mailing labels as well as the shipping documents. It is their job to make sure that orders are filled appropriately. The skills necessary for this job include basic math, communication, organization, and attention to detail.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between inventory controllers and shipping and receiving associate. For instance, inventory controller responsibilities require skills such as "data entry," "math," "basic math," and "perishables." Whereas a shipping and receiving associate is skilled in "shipping receiving," "pallets," "hand tools," and "rf." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Shipping and receiving associates really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $35,683. Comparatively, inventory controllers tend to make the most money in the technology industry with an average salary of $35,671.shipping and receiving associates tend to reach similar levels of education than inventory controllers. In fact, shipping and receiving associates are 2.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Inventory controller vs. Receivables specialist
A receivables specialist is in charge of overseeing and processing account receivables, ensuring accuracy and timeliness. They typically perform bookkeeping tasks, update records and databases, reconcile accounts, and develop strategies to optimize collection procedures. They must also maintain streamlined and organized systems, addressing any issues and resolving them promptly and efficiently while adhering to the company's policies and regulations. Moreover, a receivables specialist must maintain an active communication line with staff for a smooth and efficient workflow.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that inventory controller responsibilities requires skills like "math," "basic math," "perishables," and "warehouse inventory." But a receivables specialist might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "shipping receiving," "cleanliness," "cycle counts," and "excellent time management."
Receivables specialists earn a lower average salary than inventory controllers. But receivables specialists earn the highest pay in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $37,075. Additionally, inventory controllers earn the highest salaries in the technology with average pay of $35,671 annually.receivables specialists earn similar levels of education than inventory controllers in general. They're 1.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Inventory controller vs. Materials specialist
A materials specialist is responsible for researching efficient and high-quality materials for production and manufacturing processes, following the designs and specifications of the engineering team and design analysts. Materials specialists identify cost-reduction materials by coordinating with trusted suppliers and vendors and determine the suitability of these items in the supply chain. They conduct data and statistical analysis to develop strategic techniques that would minimize the company's expenditures and cost. A materials specialist must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in writing expense reports and discuss findings to the senior management.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from inventory controller resumes include skills like "math," "perishables," "warehouse inventory," and "management system," whereas a materials specialist is more likely to list skills in "shipping receiving," "on-time delivery," "cycle counts," and "hazardous materials. "
Materials specialists earn the best pay in the technology industry, where they command an average salary of $59,746. Inventory controllers earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $35,671.When it comes to education, materials specialists tend to earn similar degree levels compared to inventory controllers. In fact, they're 0.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Inventory controller vs. Warehouse associate
Warehouse associates are employees who take on any task needed at the company warehouse. They receive incoming deliveries, store the items in their proper places, scan the items to log them into the company system, manage stocks and inventory, conduct product inspection to check for damages or defects, and maintain the overall cleanliness of the warehouse. Warehouse associates are also responsible for receiving purchase orders, assembling and packing products related to orders, checking the accuracy of the products relative to the order, and ensuring proper shipment of the products.
Types of inventory controller
Updated January 8, 2025
