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The differences between inventory managers and distribution supervisors 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 supervisor. Additionally, an inventory manager has an average salary of $62,768, which is higher than the $62,458 average annual salary of a distribution supervisor.
The top three skills for an inventory manager include PET, direct reports and customer service. The most important skills for a distribution supervisor are customer service, logistics, and continuous improvement.
| Inventory Manager | Distribution Supervisor | |
| Yearly salary | $62,768 | $62,458 |
| Hourly rate | $30.18 | $30.03 |
| Growth rate | -6% | - |
| Number of jobs | 30,717 | 42,619 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 54% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| 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 supervisor is in charge of overseeing all distribution processes in a warehouse or similar setting, ensuring accuracy and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities typically revolve around coordinating deliveries and shipment, managing schedules, delegating tasks, assessing the performance of the workforce, and maintaining records of all transactions. Should there be any issues or concerns, it is essential to resolve them promptly and efficiently. Furthermore, as a supervisor, it is vital to lead and encourage the employees to reach goals and deadlines, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Inventory managers and distribution supervisors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Inventory Manager | Distribution Supervisor | |
| Average salary | $62,768 | $62,458 |
| Salary range | Between $43,000 And $91,000 | Between $40,000 And $96,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Reno, NV |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Nevada |
| Best paying company | NVIDIA | Agilent Technologies |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between an inventory manager and a distribution supervisor in terms of educational background:
| Inventory Manager | Distribution Supervisor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 54% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between inventory managers' and distribution supervisors' demographics:
| Inventory Manager | Distribution Supervisor | |
| Average age | 47 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 69.4% Female, 30.6% | Male, 82.7% Female, 17.3% |
| 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, 11.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 6.1% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 5% |