Inventory management specialist vs inventory coordinator

The differences between inventory management specialists and inventory coordinators 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 management specialist, becoming an inventory coordinator takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an inventory management specialist has an average salary of $56,032, which is higher than the $37,142 average annual salary of an inventory coordinator.

The top three skills for an inventory management specialist include customer service, inventory management system and purchase orders. The most important skills for an inventory coordinator are customer service, cleanliness, and sales floor.

Inventory management specialist vs inventory coordinator overview

	Inventory Management Specialist	Inventory Coordinator
Yearly salary	$56,032	$37,142
Hourly rate	$26.94	$17.86
Growth rate	1%	-3%
Number of jobs	108,982	38,774
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 38%	Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age	47	45
Years of experience	6	2

What does an inventory management specialist do?

An inventory management specialist is responsible for maintaining the adequacy of stock supplies to support customers' needs. Inventory management specialists help develop inventory processes and strategies to keep the supplies organized and free of any defects while on storage. They also monitor inventory costs and process orders through various software tools, requiring them to have a working knowledge of computer systems and the ability to operate warehouse equipment and machinery on moving merchandise around the warehouse.

What does an inventory coordinator do?

An inventory coordinator specializes in overseeing the supply flow of materials in a warehouse or similar setting. It is their responsibility to manage and handle the inventory, ensuring that the quantity and quality of materials align with company standards. Moreover, they are also responsible for assessing staff's performance, coordinating with different employees to ensure the accuracy of services, gathering and organizing data, maintaining records of transactions, and responding to any inquiries or concerns. As an inventory coordinator, it is essential to devise strategies for optimal performance, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

Inventory management specialist vs inventory coordinator salary

Inventory management specialists and inventory coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Inventory Management Specialist	Inventory Coordinator
Average salary	$56,032	$37,142
Salary range	Between $38,000 And $81,000	Between $29,000 And $46,000
Highest paying City	Tracy, CA	Grand Forks, ND
Highest paying state	Maryland	North Dakota
Best paying company	NVIDIA	BD
Best paying industry	Government	Energy

Differences between inventory management specialist and inventory coordinator education

There are a few differences between an inventory management specialist and an inventory coordinator in terms of educational background:

	Inventory Management Specialist	Inventory Coordinator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 38%	Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Stanford University	Western Carolina University

Inventory management specialist vs inventory coordinator demographics

Here are the differences between inventory management specialists' and inventory coordinators' demographics:

	Inventory Management Specialist	Inventory Coordinator
Average age	47	45
Gender ratio	Male, 66.2% Female, 33.8%	Male, 56.3% Female, 43.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 7.0% White, 60.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	10%	11%

Differences between inventory management specialist and inventory coordinator duties and responsibilities

Inventory management specialist example responsibilities.

Plan, purchase and manage various commodities through the use of various MRP systems.
Experience decision-maker in high-pressure environments; efficiently manage vital decision points autonomously to ensure mission accomplishment in multiple combat deployments.
Scan product bins with RF scanner for refills.
Update the department's inventory with the RF scanner.
Update on hand counts to ensure accurate ordering through the POS system.
Create purchase requisitions base on MRP recommendations, as well as external factors.

Inventory coordinator example responsibilities.

Manage several inventory locations within ERP system.
Manage delivery of raw material to production through communication with material handlers using FIFO.
Select components for manufacturing assembly/test orders and perform inventory transactions via ERP system.
Assist customers with their pet care needs, offering advice and recommendations.
Review existing WMS system, provide input for improvements, and provide end user training.
Use RF scan gun for daily functions and train for all daily functions of warehouse production.

Inventory management specialist vs inventory coordinator skills

Common inventory management specialist skills

Customer Service, 23%
Inventory Management System, 15%
Purchase Orders, 7%
Sales Floor, 5%
Stock Merchandise, 5%
Safety Standards, 5%

Common inventory coordinator skills

Customer Service, 25%
Cleanliness, 10%
Sales Floor, 9%
Physical Inventory, 6%
Inventory Control, 5%
Purchase Orders, 5%

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Executive Management Industry
Inventory Management Specialist
Inventory Management Specialist vs Inventory Coordinator

Updated January 8, 2025

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