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Inventory manager vs inventory management specialist

The differences between inventory managers and inventory management specialists 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 an inventory management specialist. Additionally, an inventory manager has an average salary of $62,768, which is higher than the $56,032 average annual salary of an inventory management specialist.

The top three skills for an inventory manager include PET, direct reports and customer service. The most important skills for an inventory management specialist are customer service, inventory management system, and purchase orders.

Inventory manager vs inventory management specialist overview

Inventory ManagerInventory Management Specialist
Yearly salary$62,768$56,032
Hourly rate$30.18$26.94
Growth rate-6%1%
Number of jobs30,717108,982
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Average age4747
Years of experience66

What does an inventory manager do?

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.

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 manager vs inventory management specialist salary

Inventory managers and inventory management specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Inventory ManagerInventory Management Specialist
Average salary$62,768$56,032
Salary rangeBetween $43,000 And $91,000Between $38,000 And $81,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CATracy, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonMaryland
Best paying companyNVIDIANVIDIA
Best paying industryRetailGovernment

Differences between inventory manager and inventory management specialist education

There are a few differences between an inventory manager and an inventory management specialist in terms of educational background:

Inventory ManagerInventory Management Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Inventory manager vs inventory management specialist demographics

Here are the differences between inventory managers' and inventory management specialists' demographics:

Inventory ManagerInventory Management Specialist
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 69.4% Female, 30.6%Male, 66.2% Female, 33.8%
Race ratioBlack 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, 7.7% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between inventory manager and inventory management specialist duties and responsibilities

Inventory manager example responsibilities.

  • Accomplish and operate MRP and produce purchasing orders to optimize inventories of materials and supplies necessary to achieve production demands.
  • Manage a wide variety of customer service and administrative software such as TallyWizard and QuickBooks.
  • Manage control measures to ensure mistakes, inaccuracies and discrepancies are highlight, addressed and resolve.
  • Manage credit control, monthly reconciliations, management analysis and internal control.
  • Reduce new parts inventory and increase cash flow level each year with JIT deliveries.
  • Create and implement numerous processes, reports, and indicators for MRO inventory management.
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Inventory management specialist example responsibilities.

  • 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.
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Inventory manager vs inventory management specialist skills

Common inventory manager skills
  • PET, 75%
  • Direct Reports, 4%
  • Customer Service, 4%
  • Inventory Control, 2%
  • Logistics, 2%
  • Manage Inventory, 2%
Common inventory management specialist skills
  • Customer Service, 23%
  • Inventory Management System, 15%
  • Purchase Orders, 7%
  • Sales Floor, 5%
  • Stock Merchandise, 5%
  • Safety Standards, 5%

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