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The differences between inventory managers and demand planning analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an inventory manager and a demand planning analyst. Additionally, a demand planning analyst has an average salary of $81,450, which is higher than the $62,768 average annual salary of an inventory manager.
The top three skills for an inventory manager include PET, direct reports and customer service. The most important skills for a demand planning analyst are demand planning, supply chain, and continuous improvement.
| Inventory Manager | Demand Planning Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $62,768 | $81,450 |
| Hourly rate | $30.18 | $39.16 |
| Growth rate | -6% | 19% |
| Number of jobs | 30,717 | 49,477 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 54% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Average age | 47 | 37 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
An inventory manager is responsible for supervising the overall inventory operations, monitoring supplies and materials, and checking the accuracy of data reports from the inventory associates. Inventory managers' duties include validating stock levels using record software tools, determining the availability of stocks for purchase orders, inspecting the incoming and outgoing shipments, and addressing product concerns by communicating with suppliers and third-party vendors. An inventory manager must have excellent communication and leadership skills to handle the staff's performance and manage customers' inquiries and complaints.
A demand planning analyst is responsible for conducting data analysis by researching current market trends to identify resources for consumer demands and satisfaction. Demand planning analysts evaluate multiple sources on economic factors and product releases to determine demand projections and manage the adequacy of supply inventories. They also recommend store pullouts of outdated merchandise and determine potential replacements according to data results and product campaigns. A demand planning analyst must have excellent communication and analytical skills to calculate sales performance and strategize methods to increase revenues.
Inventory managers and demand planning analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Inventory Manager | Demand Planning Analyst | |
| Average salary | $62,768 | $81,450 |
| Salary range | Between $43,000 And $91,000 | Between $63,000 And $104,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Fremont, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | NVIDIA | |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Retail |
There are a few differences between an inventory manager and a demand planning analyst in terms of educational background:
| Inventory Manager | Demand Planning Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 54% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | University of Georgia |
Here are the differences between inventory managers' and demand planning analysts' demographics:
| Inventory Manager | Demand Planning Analyst | |
| Average age | 47 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 69.4% Female, 30.6% | Male, 54.5% Female, 45.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 13.1% Asian, 8.5% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.3% Asian, 14.4% White, 64.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |