What is Physical Inventory?
Physical inventory is an inventory method in which store personnel manually count items in a company's inventory. This may involve counting, weighing, and other measurements of volumes and objects, as well as asking third parties to count inventory items entrusted to them. This is done to keep track of the inventory cost of items sold and purchased, damaged, expired, and/or stolen.
How is Physical Inventory used?
Zippia reviewed thousands of resumes to understand how physical inventory is used in different jobs. Explore the list of common job responsibilities related to physical inventory below:
- Entered inventory transactions using SAP, including physical inventory counts and accounting reconciliations.
- Balance physical inventory against system inventory and investigate / correct any discrepancies.
- Managed and processed sales invoices and physical inventory.
- Conducted periodic accuracy assessments and semi-annual physical inventory.
- Take physical inventory of packages using an RF scanner.
- Performed daily transaction verification reports, required material handling and movement tasks, cycle counting and physical inventory.
Are Physical Inventory skills in demand?
Yes, physical inventory skills are in demand today. Currently, 3,162 job openings list physical inventory skills as a requirement. The job descriptions that most frequently include physical inventory skills are logistics associate, inventory assistant, and assistant manager/inventory manager.
How hard is it to learn Physical Inventory?
Based on the average complexity level of the jobs that use physical inventory the most: logistics associate, inventory assistant, and assistant manager/inventory manager. The complexity level of these jobs is basic.
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What jobs can you get with Physical Inventory skills?
You can get a job as a logistics associate, inventory assistant, and assistant manager/inventory manager with physical inventory skills. After analyzing resumes and job postings, we identified these as the most common job titles for candidates with physical inventory skills.
Logistics Associate
Job description:
As a logistics associate, they assist with the timely distribution, storage, delivery, and inspection of products, both for incoming and outgoing. Logistics associates are needed to manage and maintain the inventory of products and materials. They process incoming and outgoing shipments, inspecting incoming shipments, entering and updating to the digital database for easier tracking. The job of logistics associates can vary based on the types of materials they handle and the environment where they work. They work independently and primarily report to a warehouse or retail manager.
- Standard Operating Procedure
- Cycle Counts
- Physical Inventory
- Shipping Receiving
- Pallet Jack
- Pallets
Inventory Assistant
Job description:
Inventory auditors are responsible for creating and monitoring inventory reports and for recording various products and stock. Often, an inventory auditor works full-time hours in a warehouse, delivery company, business establishment, or mall. Their job includes traveling to different locations, and they may work with multiple industries. They count an item's quantity and compare the inventory record to physical inventory to ensure there is no missing product.
- Customer Service
- Cycle Counts
- Physical Inventory
- Inventory Control
- Data Entry
- Inventory Process
Assistant Manager/Inventory Manager
- Purchase Orders
- PowerPoint
- Inventory Management
- Customer Service
- Physical Inventory
- Inventory Control
Inventory Coordinator
Job description:
An inventory coordinator specializes in overseeing the supply flow of materials in a warehouse or similar setting. It is their responsibility to manage and handle the inventory, ensuring that the quantity and quality of materials align with company standards. Moreover, they are also responsible for assessing staff's performance, coordinating with different employees to ensure the accuracy of services, gathering and organizing data, maintaining records of transactions, and responding to any inquiries or concerns. As an inventory coordinator, it is essential to devise strategies for optimal performance, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
- Customer Service
- Cleanliness
- Sales Floor
- Physical Inventory
- Inventory Control
- Purchase Orders
Inventory Control Lead
Job description:
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.
- Logistics
- Inventory Adjustments
- Physical Inventory
- Inventory Cycle Counts
- Inventory Control Procedures
- Pallet Jack
How much can you earn with Physical Inventory skills?
You can earn up to $36,379 a year with physical inventory skills if you become a logistics associate, the highest-paying job that requires physical inventory skills. Inventory assistants can earn the second-highest salary among jobs that use Python, $35,411 a year.
| Job title | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Logistics Associate | $36,379 | $17 |
| Inventory Assistant | $35,411 | $17 |
| Assistant Manager/Inventory Manager | $72,120 | $35 |
| Inventory Coordinator | $37,142 | $18 |
| Inventory Control Lead | $45,155 | $22 |
Companies using Physical Inventory in 2026
The top companies that look for employees with physical inventory skills are Ulta Beauty, Jo-Ann Stores, and Five Below. In the millions of job postings we reviewed, these companies mention physical inventory skills most frequently.
| Rank | Company | % of all skills | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ulta Beauty | 53% | 4,183 |
| 2 | Jo-Ann Stores | 18% | 1 |
| 3 | Five Below | 7% | 1,930 |
| 4 | francesca's | 3% | 602 |
| 5 | Robert Half | 3% | 8,536 |
Departments using Physical Inventory
| Department | Average salary |
|---|---|
| Warehouse | $34,614 |
1 courses for Physical Inventory skills
1. SAP EWM 110 +1 - Physical Inventory Customizing in SAP EWM
SAP EWM110 is maybe the most common and most taught SAP EWM course out thereWe took on the task to create a SAP EWM110 course by ourselves and make it - even better. With this part of the course you will get to know everything you need to know about the Physical Inventory Process in SAP EWM- The different types of Physical Inventory in SAP EWM- The levels of Physcial Inventory- The Physcial Inventory Process- The Difference Analyzer in SAP EWM- What tolerance groups are and how to use themAnd... we would not be KnowYourEWM without adding some extra to this Physcial Inventory Process Course...