What does an inventory supervisor do?
An inventory supervisor is responsible for monitoring the productivity of staff and managing the adequacy of inventories in a warehouse or distribution center settings. Inventory supervisors inspect the stability and efficiency of the equipment and machinery for the manufacturing processes to ensure its working condition that would prevent operational delays and avoid potential hazards. They also strategize in the supply chain management, oversee shipment details, and negotiate with material suppliers and third-party vendors for cost-reduction opportunities.
Inventory supervisor responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real inventory supervisor resumes:
- Focuse on achieving continuous improvement through successful adoption of world-class global logistics methodologies and solutions.
- Enter POs and assist with picking when necessary.
- Provide customers with accurate inventory information using RF units and physical, manual counts.
- Play key role in the implementation of radio frequency (RF) scanners to record production.
- Assist with start-up of the buffer warehouse, creating bin locations, assigning materials, and WMS troubleshooting/training.
- Entrust in teaching the art of sales, POS training, building the optimal showroom and company culture.
- Provide training to order pickers, receiving and shipping personnel and functions as main contact for resolution of all WMS problem.
- Implement several preliminary materials initiatives in preparation for local ERP system go-live.
- Analyze and reconstruct regional logistics department to streamline operations while implementing high standard operating policies.
- Control inventory of inbound/outbound goods using fishbowl ERP inventory software as well as in a lean manufacturing warehouse environment.
- Purchase products to fill prescriptions, prepare and perform quarterly inventory, and organize pharmaceutical shelves to maintain clean and efficiency.
- Analyze turnover, usage, costs, and trends in a FIFO environment.
- Implement redesign of warehouse storage system to FIFO and improve efficiency and flow.
- Issue parts from warehouse to production floor and maintain KanBan system.
- Review BOM, material movement, receipts, confirmations, and adjustments to insure proper back flushing of material.
Inventory supervisor skills and personality traits
We calculated that 46% of Inventory Supervisors are proficient in Customer Service, Business Relationships, and Work Ethic. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Detail oriented, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Inventory Supervisors that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 46%
Team Leaders interact with our customers in order to ensure excellent customer service while delivering an accurate and productive inventory/event
- Business Relationships, 17%
Establish and maintain effective business relationships with WIS-International clients.
- Work Ethic, 16%
Recognized for superior work ethic, productivity and leading-by-example management style.
- WIS, 5%
Established and maintained good effective business relationship with WIS International clients.
- Inventory Control, 1%
Inventory Supervisor: Guide Inventory Control staff in monitoring and analyzing inventory storage, movement, efficiency, and accuracy.
- Store Management, 1%
Interfaced with individual store management, providing inventory reports and other necessary documentation.
"customer service," "business relationships," and "work ethic" are among the most common skills that inventory supervisors use at work. You can find even more inventory supervisor responsibilities below, including:
Customer-service skills. One of the key soft skills for an inventory supervisor to have is customer-service skills. You can see how this relates to what inventory supervisors do because "material recording clerks may interact with customers in order to respond to problems or complaints." Additionally, an inventory supervisor resume shows how inventory supervisors use customer-service skills: "developed rapport with customer base, maintained loss prevention standards and communicated with managerial staff. "
Detail oriented. Many inventory supervisor duties rely on detail oriented. "material and product inspecting clerks must pay attention to detail when checking items for defects, some of which are small and difficult to spot.," so an inventory supervisor will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways inventory supervisor responsibilities rely on detail oriented: "generate detailed cycle counts in order to provide measurable inventory results for both internal and external use. "
Communication skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of inventory supervisors is communication skills. This skill is critical to many everyday inventory supervisor duties, as "material recording clerks are frequently in contact with suppliers, vendors, or managers and need to convey their company’s needs effectively." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "established and maintained communication with store management throughout inventory process. "
Math skills. A big part of what inventory supervisors do relies on "math skills." You can see how essential it is to inventory supervisor responsibilities because "material recording clerks may need to calculate shipping costs or take measurements." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical inventory supervisor tasks: "enter data; 10 key; basic math; count inventory; piece counts; operate scanner/inventory equipment"
The three companies that hire the most inventory supervisors are:
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Compare different inventory supervisors
Inventory supervisor vs. Inventory control lead
An Inventory Control Lead oversees supplies in an organization, aiming to meet market demands and avoid oversupply. They perform regular inspections and assessments, review invoices and other documentation, monitor product distribution operations, and produce regular progress reports. It is their responsibility to address issues and concerns, resolve them promptly, and efficiently maintain smooth workflow operations. Moreover, an Inventory Control Lead manages different teams, encouraging them to reach goals while implementing company policies and guidelines.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an inventory supervisor are more likely to require skills like "customer service," "business relationships," "strong work ethic," and "work ethic." On the other hand, a job as an inventory control lead requires skills like "inventory cycle counts," "inventory control procedures," "pallet jack," and "production floor." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Inventory control leads earn the highest salaries when working in the energy industry, with an average yearly salary of $55,732. On the other hand, inventory supervisors are paid more in the retail industry with an average salary of $64,906.inventory control leads tend to reach similar levels of education than inventory supervisors. In fact, inventory control leads are 1.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Inventory supervisor vs. Inventory control manager
An inventory control manager is an individual who is responsible for directing all tasks related to inventory management of a company. They manage the allocation of materials, supplies, and finished goods as well as design strategies to minimize the cost or time to move goods. They are required to lead a team of storage or warehouse personnel to help them with the actual inventory count. Inventory control managers must also develop a business relationship with their suppliers or vendors.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, inventory supervisor responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "business relationships," "strong work ethic," "work ethic," and "wis." Meanwhile, an inventory control manager has duties that require skills in areas such as "inventory control procedures," "team work," "continuous improvement," and "inventory management." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Inventory control managers earn a higher average salary than inventory supervisors. But inventory control managers earn the highest pay in the retail industry, with an average salary of $59,685. Additionally, inventory supervisors earn the highest salaries in the retail with average pay of $64,906 annually.inventory control managers earn similar levels of education than inventory supervisors in general. They're 3.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Inventory supervisor vs. Billing supervisor
A billing supervisor is primarily in charge of spearheading and overseeing the billing procedures of a company. Typically managing a team of billing specialists and clerks, a billing supervisor must set goals and guidelines, gather and analyze billing data, develop reports to be presented to directors and other executives, and create strategies to optimize billing processes. They must also monitor all procedures, ensuring it complies with the company's policies. Furthermore, as a supervisor, they must lead and encourage the workforce to reach goals while implementing the rules and regulations of the company.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an inventory supervisor is likely to be skilled in "business relationships," "strong work ethic," "work ethic," and "wis," while a typical billing supervisor is skilled in "patients," "billing procedures," "medicaid," and "billing issues."
Billing supervisors earn the best pay in the professional industry, where they command an average salary of $61,827. Inventory supervisors earn the highest pay from the retail industry, with an average salary of $64,906.Most billing supervisors achieve a similar degree level compared to inventory supervisors. For example, they're 3.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Inventory supervisor vs. Inventory manager
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.
Types of inventory supervisor
Updated January 8, 2025
