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The differences between inventory managers and supply 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 manager. Additionally, a supply manager has an average salary of $96,971, 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 manager are supply chain, patients, and supplier performance.
| Inventory Manager | Supply Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $62,768 | $96,971 |
| Hourly rate | $30.18 | $46.62 |
| Growth rate | -6% | -6% |
| Number of jobs | 30,717 | 30,833 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 54% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| 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 manager or supply chain manager is an individual who supervises the import or creation of raw materials that are to be used by the company to form new products. Supply managers are required to coordinate all aspects of the supply chain to ensure that they are efficient and cost-effective. They must maintain low costs and high efficiency by building and maintaining relationships with the company's partners. Supply managers should also recruit staff members and provide training to help them learn and master their jobs.
Inventory managers and supply managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Inventory Manager | Supply Manager | |
| Average salary | $62,768 | $96,971 |
| Salary range | Between $43,000 And $91,000 | Between $68,000 And $137,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Fremont, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | New York |
| Best paying company | NVIDIA | PVH |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Technology |
There are a few differences between an inventory manager and a supply manager in terms of educational background:
| Inventory Manager | Supply Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 54% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between inventory managers' and supply managers' demographics:
| Inventory Manager | Supply Manager | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 69.4% Female, 30.6% | Male, 70.0% Female, 30.0% |
| 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, 7.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 9.0% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |