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Product planner vs inventory control lead

The differences between product planners and inventory control leads can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a product planner and an inventory control lead. Additionally, a product planner has an average salary of $94,669, which is higher than the $45,155 average annual salary of an inventory control lead.

The top three skills for a product planner include product development, product planning and product line. The most important skills for an inventory control lead are logistics, inventory adjustments, and physical inventory.

Product planner vs inventory control lead overview

Product PlannerInventory Control Lead
Yearly salary$94,669$45,155
Hourly rate$45.51$21.71
Growth rate-3%-3%
Number of jobs85,34650,694
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 37%
Average age4545
Years of experience22

What does a product planner do?

Product planner positions require a battery of skills, including decisiveness, stress management, leadership, organization, communication, statistics, business operations, computer literacy, and problem-solving, to name a few. Those who choose this career will be required to involve internally-focused decisions, steps, and tasks necessary to develop a successful product.

What does an inventory control lead do?

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.

Product planner vs inventory control lead salary

Product planners and inventory control leads have different pay scales, as shown below.

Product PlannerInventory Control Lead
Average salary$94,669$45,155
Salary rangeBetween $71,000 And $124,000Between $28,000 And $72,000
Highest paying CitySanta Rosa, CARomeoville, IL
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNew Jersey
Best paying companyAppleMeta
Best paying industryTechnologyEnergy

Differences between product planner and inventory control lead education

There are a few differences between a product planner and an inventory control lead in terms of educational background:

Product PlannerInventory Control Lead
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 37%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaWestern Carolina University

Product planner vs inventory control lead demographics

Here are the differences between product planners' and inventory control leads' demographics:

Product PlannerInventory Control Lead
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 57.2% Female, 42.8%Male, 67.9% Female, 32.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 18.1% Asian, 7.4% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 7.0% White, 60.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between product planner and inventory control lead duties and responsibilities

Product planner example responsibilities.

  • Manage company MRP purchases including contractor and consultant contract review.
  • Perform financial forecasting, leveraging MRP to plan performance of products and evaluate ROI of raw materials.
  • Task with supervising raw materials suppliers for computer test equipment construction using several ERP systems.
  • Support implementation of new ERP system (MFGPRO Eb2) relate to engineering procurement systems and processes.
  • Set up KANBAN to assure the steady flow of parts without stock outs as well as growing inventories.
  • Work collaboratively with purchasing, production, engineering, quality control, BOM analysts, buyers, and suppliers.
  • Show more

Inventory control lead example responsibilities.

  • Manage inventory and production reports through WMS for efficiency improvement opportunities.
  • Work with MRP and Macola inventory systems.
  • Report inventory balances and cycle counts in WMS systems.
  • Cycle counted a multi-million dollar cell phone inventory using AS400.
  • Work with AS400 to review and analyze computer data to ensure productivity of tires.
  • Train associates on inventory procedures, product put- away, and order researching, RF scanner experience.
  • Show more

Product planner vs inventory control lead skills

Common product planner skills
  • Product Development, 9%
  • Product Planning, 7%
  • Product Line, 7%
  • Logistics, 5%
  • MRP, 4%
  • Product Management, 4%
Common inventory control lead skills
  • Logistics, 15%
  • Inventory Adjustments, 7%
  • Physical Inventory, 6%
  • Inventory Cycle Counts, 5%
  • Inventory Control Procedures, 5%
  • Pallet Jack, 4%

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