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The differences between inventory managers and distribution center managers 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 distribution center manager. Additionally, a distribution center manager has an average salary of $99,459, 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 distribution center manager are logistics, customer service, and OSHA.
| Inventory Manager | Distribution Center Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $62,768 | $99,459 |
| Hourly rate | $30.18 | $47.82 |
| Growth rate | -6% | - |
| Number of jobs | 30,717 | 75,501 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 54% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 47 | 45 |
| 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 distribution center manager is an individual who is responsible for managing all the daily activities of a centralized distribution center, warehouse, or another shipping facility. Distribution center managers are required to supervise the loading and unloading of all packages as well as ensure that all goods and products have the proper storage conditions. They must evaluate freight services and manage relationships with the chose vendors. Distribution center managers are also required to monitor the safety of the facility and make sure that workers properly store everything to prevent injuries.
Inventory managers and distribution center managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Inventory Manager | Distribution Center Manager | |
| Average salary | $62,768 | $99,459 |
| Salary range | Between $43,000 And $91,000 | Between $70,000 And $141,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Woodland, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | NVIDIA | Bed Bath & Beyond |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Automotive |
There are a few differences between an inventory manager and a distribution center manager in terms of educational background:
| Inventory Manager | Distribution Center Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 54% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between inventory managers' and distribution center managers' demographics:
| Inventory Manager | Distribution Center Manager | |
| Average age | 47 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 69.4% Female, 30.6% | Male, 88.4% Female, 11.6% |
| 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, 11.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.1% White, 59.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 5% |