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The differences between inventory managers and directors of supply chain management 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 director of supply chain management. Additionally, a director of supply chain management has an average salary of $131,875, 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 director of supply chain management are supply chain, logistics, and chain management.
| Inventory Manager | Director Of Supply Chain Management | |
| Yearly salary | $62,768 | $131,875 |
| Hourly rate | $30.18 | $63.40 |
| Growth rate | -6% | - |
| Number of jobs | 30,717 | 91,983 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 54% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| 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 supply chain management director is responsible for overseeing the supply chain management operations by managing the distribution process and material delivery. Supply chain management directors coordinate with the suppliers and vendors to negotiate contracts and conditions, monitor the production deadline, confirm shipment details, and resolve distribution delays. They also conduct data and statistical analysis to identify methodologies that would increase the staff's productivity and efficiency. A supply chain management director analyzes financial transactions, manage cost-reduction expenses, and discuss production reports to the senior management.
Inventory managers and directors of supply chain management have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Inventory Manager | Director Of Supply Chain Management | |
| Average salary | $62,768 | $131,875 |
| Salary range | Between $43,000 And $91,000 | Between $94,000 And $184,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Mateo, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | NVIDIA | Mayo Clinic |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between an inventory manager and a director of supply chain management in terms of educational background:
| Inventory Manager | Director Of Supply Chain Management | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 54% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between inventory managers' and directors of supply chain management' demographics:
| Inventory Manager | Director Of Supply Chain Management | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 69.4% Female, 30.6% | Male, 80.0% Female, 20.0% |
| 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, 7.5% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 8.8% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |