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Supply chain lead vs inventory manager

The differences between supply chain leads and inventory managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a supply chain lead and an inventory manager. Additionally, a supply chain lead has an average salary of $101,348, which is higher than the $62,768 average annual salary of an inventory manager.

The top three skills for a supply chain lead include supply chain, project management and kpis. The most important skills for an inventory manager are PET, direct reports, and customer service.

Supply chain lead vs inventory manager overview

Supply Chain LeadInventory Manager
Yearly salary$101,348$62,768
Hourly rate$48.73$30.18
Growth rate--6%
Number of jobs34,06930,717
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Average age4747
Years of experience66

What does a supply chain lead do?

A supply chain lead specializes in overseeing the supply chain in a company, ensuring that everything is running smoothly. They are primarily responsible for managing schedules, monitoring supplies and logistics, addressing and resolving issues and concerns, and building positive relationships with vendors and suppliers. Supply chain leaders must also maintain quality control and inventory, coordinate workers, and produce progress reports for supervisors and high-ranking personnel. Furthermore, it is essential to lead and encourage staff, all while implementing the policies and standards of the company.

What does an inventory manager do?

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.

Supply chain lead vs inventory manager salary

Supply chain leads and inventory managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Supply Chain LeadInventory Manager
Average salary$101,348$62,768
Salary rangeBetween $75,000 And $136,000Between $43,000 And $91,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonWashington
Best paying companyThe CitadelNVIDIA
Best paying industryProfessionalRetail

Differences between supply chain lead and inventory manager education

There are a few differences between a supply chain lead and an inventory manager in terms of educational background:

Supply Chain LeadInventory Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Supply chain lead vs inventory manager demographics

Here are the differences between supply chain leads' and inventory managers' demographics:

Supply Chain LeadInventory Manager
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 71.5% Female, 28.5%Male, 69.4% Female, 30.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.4% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 8.8% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%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%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between supply chain lead and inventory manager duties and responsibilities

Supply chain lead example responsibilities.

  • Expand role to manage TMS standalone and combine WMS / TMS implementation projects.
  • Manage RFP bids and vendor selection process including negotiation of scope and contract.
  • Lead product distribution and logistics, including contract negotiation, carrier qualification and claims management for international and domestic shipments.
  • Manage production and warehouse teams ensuring DOD policies and corporate rules and regulations compliance while exceeding government nuclear facility audit standards.
  • Develop KPIs for inventory management and demand forecasting.
  • Establish clearly define SCM targets base on project goals and client input.
  • Show more

Inventory manager example responsibilities.

  • Accomplish and operate MRP and produce purchasing orders to optimize inventories of materials and supplies necessary to achieve production demands.
  • Manage a wide variety of customer service and administrative software such as TallyWizard and QuickBooks.
  • Manage control measures to ensure mistakes, inaccuracies and discrepancies are highlight, addressed and resolve.
  • Manage credit control, monthly reconciliations, management analysis and internal control.
  • Reduce new parts inventory and increase cash flow level each year with JIT deliveries.
  • Create and implement numerous processes, reports, and indicators for MRO inventory management.
  • Show more

Supply chain lead vs inventory manager skills

Common supply chain lead skills
  • Supply Chain, 17%
  • Project Management, 8%
  • KPIs, 7%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 6%
  • HR, 6%
  • ERP, 5%
Common inventory manager skills
  • PET, 75%
  • Direct Reports, 4%
  • Customer Service, 4%
  • Inventory Control, 2%
  • Logistics, 2%
  • Manage Inventory, 2%

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