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Inventory manager vs supply chain manager

The differences between inventory managers and supply chain 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 supply chain manager. Additionally, a supply chain manager has an average salary of $100,414, 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 supply chain manager are supply chain, logistics, and project management.

Inventory manager vs supply chain manager overview

Inventory ManagerSupply Chain Manager
Yearly salary$62,768$100,414
Hourly rate$30.18$48.28
Growth rate-6%-
Number of jobs30,71737,773
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
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 a supply chain manager do?

A supply chain manager is an individual who takes responsibility for managing hardware, equipment, and any other logistical details of an organization. Supply chain managers work alongside the external partners for parts and raw material procurement. They make sure that global companies coordinate with their sources of goods. These professionals also assess their suppliers and negotiate corporate contracts with vendors. The skills they needed include technical understanding, project management, cost accounting skills, and business ethics.

Inventory manager vs supply chain manager salary

Inventory managers and supply chain managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Inventory ManagerSupply Chain Manager
Average salary$62,768$100,414
Salary rangeBetween $43,000 And $91,000Between $72,000 And $139,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonVermont
Best paying companyNVIDIAMcKinsey & Company Inc
Best paying industryRetailProfessional

Differences between inventory manager and supply chain manager education

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

Inventory ManagerSupply Chain Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Inventory manager vs supply chain manager demographics

Here are the differences between inventory managers' and supply chain managers' demographics:

Inventory ManagerSupply Chain Manager
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 69.4% Female, 30.6%Male, 74.8% Female, 25.2%
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, 7.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between inventory manager and supply chain manager 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.
  • Show more

Supply chain manager example responsibilities.

  • Lead the SIOP process to establish continuous flow for customer deliveries while achieving a reduction in inventory.
  • Manage RFP process to identify best partners.
  • Develop and implement a process to manage and maintain accurate item master in LAWSON procurement system.
  • Raise capital, set up PMO office & lead cross-functional team to deliver a document management technology solution.
  • Pilot software implementation by establishing requirements, creating strategy, and defining implementation plan; manage integration with ERP system.
  • Manage production and warehouse teams ensuring DOD policies and corporate rules and regulations compliance while exceeding government nuclear facility audit standards.
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Inventory manager vs supply chain manager skills

Common inventory manager skills
  • PET, 75%
  • Direct Reports, 4%
  • Customer Service, 4%
  • Inventory Control, 2%
  • Logistics, 2%
  • Manage Inventory, 2%
Common supply chain manager skills
  • Supply Chain, 20%
  • Logistics, 9%
  • Project Management, 5%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Chain Management, 5%
  • Continuous Improvement, 4%

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