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.
Inventory management specialist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real inventory management specialist resumes:
- 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.
- Maintain POS integrity through inventory adjustments.
- Coordinate, distribute and keep accurate accountability for millions of gallons of fuel during combat operations.
- Review acquisition and operational support planning documents to ensure proper integration of ILS policy and procedural requirements.
- Determine current and future requirements by analyzing stock balances, past consumption rates, provisioning and reliability/maintainability data.
- Identify activities that will assist in ILS and explain how to integrate them into a cohesive responsive operational management service organization.
- Monitored/Evaluat provisioning programs including contractor effectiveness.
- Monitored/Evaluat provisioning programs including contractor effectiveness.
Inventory management specialist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 23% of Inventory Management Specialists are proficient in Customer Service, Inventory Management System, and Purchase Orders. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Math skills, and Customer-service skills.
We break down the percentage of Inventory Management Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 23%
Maintained food service quality standards and managed various staffing needs from team organization, Inventory management, and unsurpassed customer service.
- Inventory Management System, 15%
Received, loaded customer purchase orders and maintained highly specialized defense equipment in inventory management systems including MEPAW and Excel.
- Purchase Orders, 7%
Performed daily analysis on received merchandise to description and packaged detailed orders form original purchase order.
- Sales Floor, 5%
Maintained stockroom and sales floor inventory; volunteered to travel to other stores, and assisted in overnight store remodel projects.
- Stock Merchandise, 5%
Maintained accurate inventory controls by categorizing merchandise into bins by department, labeling overstock merchandise and scanning merchandise daily.
- Safety Standards, 5%
Practiced a safe and healthy work environment according to OSHA safety standards.
"customer service," "inventory management system," and "purchase orders" are among the most common skills that inventory management specialists use at work. You can find even more inventory management specialist responsibilities below, including:
Detail oriented. The most essential soft skill for an inventory management specialist to carry out their responsibilities is detail oriented. This skill is important for the role because "material and product inspecting clerks check items for defects, some of which are small and difficult to spot." Additionally, an inventory management specialist resume shows how their duties depend on detail oriented: "performed daily detailed inventory audits to maintain inventory accuracy through inventory planning, quality control, and corrective action. "
Math skills. Many inventory management specialist duties rely on math skills. "some material recording clerks use math to calculate shipping costs or take measurements.," so an inventory management specialist will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways inventory management specialist responsibilities rely on math skills: "analyzed statistics and determined trends in government and contractor performed operations, recommended appropriate corrective action for unfavorable trends. "
Customer-service skills. This is an important skill for inventory management specialists to perform their duties. For an example of how inventory management specialist responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "stock clerks sometimes interact with customers in retail stores and may have to get the item the customer is looking for from the storeroom." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of an inventory management specialist: "rotate and stock merchandise assist customer in locating merchandise bin merchandise- keep track of merchandise that is located in the store".
Communication skills. For certain inventory management specialist responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "communication skills." The day-to-day duties of an inventory management specialist rely on this skill, as "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." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what inventory management specialists do: "maintain communication with supply support accountability officers in theater for product requirements and forecast purposes. "
The three companies that hire the most inventory management specialists are:
- CDM Smith112 inventory management specialists jobs
- Hudson Group
93 inventory management specialists jobs
- MSC Industrial Direct Co57 inventory management specialists jobs
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Compare different inventory management specialists
Inventory management specialist vs. Supply chain consultant
A supply chain consultant specializes in performing research and analysis to develop strategies for optimal services. Typically working in the manufacturing industry, their responsibilities revolve around monitoring the inventory and supply flow of materials, liaising with vendors and suppliers, coordinating with different departments to gather necessary data, identifying strengths and weaknesses in the operations, and suggesting actions on areas needing improvement. Furthermore, as a supply chain consultant, it is essential to create and recommend business plans, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between inventory management specialists and supply chain consultant. For instance, inventory management specialist responsibilities require skills such as "customer service," "inventory management system," "purchase orders," and "sales floor." Whereas a supply chain consultant is skilled in "supply chain," "logistics," "strong problem-solving," and "supply chain planning." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Supply chain consultants earn the highest salaries when working in the technology industry, with an average yearly salary of $88,578. On the other hand, inventory management specialists are paid more in the government industry with an average salary of $65,378.The education levels that supply chain consultants earn slightly differ from inventory management specialists. In particular, supply chain consultants are 17.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an inventory management specialist. Additionally, they're 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Inventory management specialist vs. Supply chain vice president
The supply chain vice president is responsible for directing and planning all aspects of an organization's supply chain initiatives, policies, and objectives. You will oversee the inventory, distribution, and transportation activities of an organization. In addition, you will be responsible for directing and overseeing the supply chain management team in order to optimize several manufacturing locations and distribution centers. Other duties include overseeing the development of the supply chain budget, reviewing the operating performance with quality, cost, and service metrics, and collaborating with quality, customer service, and sales departments to maintain the consistency of supply and demand objectives.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real inventory management specialist resumes. While inventory management specialist responsibilities can utilize skills like "inventory management system," "purchase orders," "sales floor," and "stock merchandise," supply chain vice presidents use skills like "supply chain," "chain operations," "chain management," and "continuous improvement."
Supply chain vice presidents may earn a higher salary than inventory management specialists, but supply chain vice presidents earn the most pay in the hospitality industry with an average salary of $140,010. On the other hand, inventory management specialists receive higher pay in the government industry, where they earn an average salary of $65,378.In general, supply chain vice presidents achieve higher levels of education than inventory management specialists. They're 14.6% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Inventory management specialist vs. Supply chain coordinator
A supply chain coordinator is an individual who is responsible for managing inventory and supply sources to support a company's manufacturing and anticipated demand. Supply chain coordinators must assist in the purchase of materials and services and follow-up with vendors to ensure that the purchase orders have the correct price, freight charge, and delivery date. They coordinate with the quality assurance (QA) inspectors to ensure the quality of the purchased parts and services. Under the directive orders from the logistics manager, supply chain coordinators must also perform inventory cycle counts.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, inventory management specialists are more likely to have skills like "inventory management system," "sales floor," "stock merchandise," and "safety standards." But a supply chain coordinator is more likely to have skills like "supply chain," "logistics," "management system," and "inventory management."
Supply chain coordinators make a very good living in the manufacturing industry with an average annual salary of $57,806. On the other hand, inventory management specialists are paid the highest salary in the government industry, with average annual pay of $65,378.Most supply chain coordinators achieve a higher degree level compared to inventory management specialists. For example, they're 5.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Inventory management specialist vs. Supply chain director
A supply chain director is primarily in charge of the overall supply chain operations in a company. Their responsibilities revolve around devising strategies to improve processes, creating business plans and sales forecasts, delegating tasks, coordinating and selecting suppliers and vendors, creating new supply chain policies when necessary, and spearheading the inventory and delivery processes. There are also instances when a supply chain director must report to higher-ranking officials, produce progress reports, and craft presentations. Furthermore, as a director, it is essential to lead the workforce while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Types of inventory management specialist
Updated January 8, 2025
