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What is an inventory specialist manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted experts
Steve Wages Ph.D.,
Kerem Cakirer Ph.D.

Any business or organization that has an inventory of products or their components needs an inventory specialist manager. Your work as an inventory specialist manager will be to oversee all the activities related to ordering, receiving, storing, and distributing materials and merchandise. Typical workplaces for inventory specialist managers are in warehouses, and specialists are expected to be exceptionally organized.

As an inventory specialist manager, you will track inventory and control the flow of supplies and equipment. You will report to the management and advise them on how to improve various production processes. You will coordinate with multiple teams, train warehouse personnel, and compile reports that address various obstacles and challenges that might arise and forecast future warehouse and inventory requirements. Essential skills required for this role are, communication, basic computer knowledge, and excellent organizational skills.

To qualify for this position, you need a high school diploma or a GED, along with at least three years of work experience in a similar field and warehouse setting. Ability to work flexible hours is also appreciated. The average hourly pay for this position is $57.81, which amounts to more than $120,000 annually. The job may be tough, but it compensates generously.

What general advice would you give to an inventory specialist manager?

Steve Wages Ph.D.Steve Wages Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Director, Cloverdale Center for Youth and Family, Faulkner University

As soon as possible, establish a formal mentoring relationship with someone who is seasoned in pastoral counseling. Generally, the research demonstrates that the performance of employees with mentors is of a higher quality, they advance in their responsibilities and careers faster, and they avoid common mistakes exhibited by other employees. Establish short-term goals (6 months) for your position and a plan for overcoming obstacles; then ask your mentor to hold you accountable for implementing your plan. As part of your self-care. you also need to be proactive in developing a few close friendships, perhaps including colleagues, who can be a source of emotional support and encouragement to you personally.

You should be confident in your training while also being realistic and transparent about your limitations. There is still a lot that you do not know and much you will learn with experience. Until then, be willing to say "I don't know" when faced with problems you have not addressed before. Then commit to learning more about the issue through personal study and/or consulting with a more experienced colleague or mentor. In some cases, you may need to invite a more experienced counselor to meet with a client or where appropriate refer them to someone else.

You need to equip yourself to address structural changes to the delivery of pastoral care and counseling as a consequence of the pandemic. You will need to adapt to providing pastoral counseling virtually perhaps via Zoom sessions. Give thought as to how the virtual context impacts the counseling process and the spiritual resources you employ. For example, if you are comfortable praying with a client in your office, will you be equally inclined to pray with them online or over a phone. In light of the pandemic, Dr. Chuck Lawless noted, "Good pastoral care has required being more proactive than reactive." Ordinarily, pastoral counselors are reactive in that they respond to needs when they hear about them or when they are
ScoreInventory Specialist ManagerUS Average
Salary
7.9

Avg. Salary $109,820

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
9.6

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.47%

Asian 6.36%

Black or African American 6.17%

Hispanic or Latino 15.16%

Unknown 4.34%

White 67.50%

Gender

female 46.49%

male 53.51%

Age - 44
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44
Stress level
9.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
9.2

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
3.6

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Inventory specialist manager career paths

Key steps to become an inventory specialist manager

  1. Explore inventory specialist manager education requirements

    Most common inventory specialist manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    48.0 %

    Associate

    22.4 %

    High School Diploma

    13.6 %
  2. Start to develop specific inventory specialist manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Project Management45.48%
    Customer Service15.15%
    Direct Reports8.26%
    ERP6.71%
    Loss Prevention1.85%
  3. Complete relevant inventory specialist manager training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New inventory specialist managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an inventory specialist manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real inventory specialist manager resumes.
  4. Research inventory specialist manager duties and responsibilities

    • Manage and run the candy store.
    • Manage social media networks for increase public visibility through Facebook.
    • Reconcile daily sales, resolving discrepancies with POS transactions and corresponding with corporate office daily.
    • Key team member for development of ISO policies and procedures for inventory and production line.
  5. Apply for inventory specialist manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an inventory specialist manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first inventory specialist manager job

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Average inventory specialist manager salary

The average inventory specialist manager salary in the United States is $109,820 per year or $53 per hour. Inventory specialist manager salaries range between $80,000 and $150,000 per year.

Average inventory specialist manager salary
$109,820 Yearly
$52.80 hourly

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Inventory specialist manager reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2022
Pros

I have leadership skills I always hire employees who like to work in a team I like to see sales increase and love to see the best customer service is given

Cons

In reality, i do not complain as its who i am


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A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020
Cons

I don't like it when moral is low and nothing seems to perk employees up to become more productive at work.

Pros

Educating employees and getting everyone on the same mindset about what it takes for a company to succeed.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2020
Pros

I love the problem solving aspect. Helping my team work through problems and training new employees to perform to their best.

Cons

Disciplining my team for mistakes they can prevent, such as attendance.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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