How to hire a supply specialist

How to hire a supply specialist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step supply specialist hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a supply specialist job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new supply specialist
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a supply specialist do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a supply specialist, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect supply specialist also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of supply specialists and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Supply Specialist	Description	Hourly rate
   Supply Specialist	Material recording clerks track product information in order to keep businesses and supply chains on schedule. They ensure proper scheduling, recordkeeping, and inventory control.	$12-29
   Inventory Controller	An inventory controller is responsible for performing duties for the inventory department of an organization. Inventory controllers ensure the adequacy of the product and materials needed for daily operations... Show more	$13-23
   Warehouse Worker	Warehouse workers are employees assigned to handle tasks inside the company's warehouse. They are in charge of managing the entry and exit of goods inside the warehouse, ensure that the inventory is up-to-date, and check the quality of the goods that are stored... Show more	$12-19

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • Logistical Support
   • Safety Regulations
   • Financial Management Procedures
   • Inventory Control
   • Inventory Management
   • Property Accountability
   • Hand Trucks
   • PowerPoint
   • DOD
   • Property Management
   • Hazardous Materials
   • Combat
   • General Upkeep

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Dispatch vehicles, maintains dispatch records, trip tickets and records in logbooks, manage the GSA vehicle fleet of vehicles.
   • Complete BCT and AIT, laid pipelines for F.S.S.P.
   • Remove hazardous spills/wastes; ensure compliance with EPA and OSHA regulations.
   • Establish and maintain a file system for the section in accordance with DOD standards.
   • Collect and prepare payroll and minimum manning information for EDI data-entry inputs and reporting to DoD.
   • Assemble and develop training and lesson plans for the unit to gain knowledge of the importance of CSDP.

   More supply specialist duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your supply specialist job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A supply specialist can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, supply specialists' average salary in arkansas is 40% less than in hawaii.
   • Seniority. Entry-level supply specialists 59% less than senior-level supply specialists.
   • Certifications. A supply specialist with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a supply specialist's salary.

   Average supply specialist salary

   $39,791yearly

   $19.13 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level supply specialist salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

   Average supply specialist salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$57,330	$28
   2	Hawaii	$57,311	$28
   3	Maryland	$56,640	$27
   4	District of Columbia	$55,766	$27
   5	New York	$54,843	$26
   6	Arizona	$54,480	$26
   7	Pennsylvania	$53,934	$26
   8	Delaware	$52,794	$25
   9	Massachusetts	$51,608	$25
   10	Connecticut	$49,111	$24
   11	Texas	$47,100	$23
   12	Colorado	$45,513	$22
   13	Indiana	$45,170	$22
   14	North Carolina	$44,150	$21
   15	Wisconsin	$42,910	$21
   16	Alabama	$41,803	$20
   17	Utah	$39,784	$19
   18	Virginia	$39,765	$19
   19	Washington	$39,435	$19
   20	Oregon	$39,333	$19

   Average supply specialist salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	TALENT Software Services	$96,622	$46.45
   2	Priority Techno Holdings Inc.	$89,703	$43.13
   3	APEX Analytix	$88,828	$42.71	1
   4	Merck	$81,190	$39.03	1
   5	Jacobs Engineering Group	$80,891	$38.89
   6	Cummins	$80,518	$38.71	6
   7	Fifth Third Bank	$79,541	$38.24
   8	Codeworks	$76,789	$36.92
   9	Boeing	$75,942	$36.51	100
   10	Generac Holdings	$74,333	$35.74	3
   11	Globe Life	$73,998	$35.58
   12	Intertek	$73,529	$35.35
   13	Triumph Group	$68,830	$33.09
   14	Corning Incorporated	$68,061	$32.72	22
   15	New York Power Authority	$68,022	$32.70
   16	Northrop Grumman	$67,364	$32.39	69
   17	Franklin County Home Health Agency	$67,142	$32.28
   18	Raytheon Technologies	$62,517	$30.06	24
   19	Central Washington University	$62,227	$29.92
   20	Bloomberg	$59,318	$28.52

4. Writing a supply specialist job description

   A job description for a supply specialist role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a supply specialist job description:

   Supply specialist job description example

   Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service, Inc. was started in 1959 with one ambulance and today is the largest independent, locally owned, and operated emergency medical services provider in the Midwest. Superior employs more than 2,500 licensed EMT, Paramedics and Nurses, operating a fleet of more than 500 ambulances throughout Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Superior also provides Critical Care, helicopter, and fixed wing emergency medical transportation.
   
   HOURS ARE 5 A.M. TO 1:00 P.M.
   
   Responsibilities
   
   Major Duties and Responsibilities:
   Perform the necessary work of all functions pertinent to the preparation of vehicles and pre-launching of vehicles prior to of start of shift IE) Wash, wax, restock, refuel, sanitize. Maintain records of vehicles condition before and after each use. Report and log violations such as body damage, interior damage, equipment damage and any other discrepancies accurately on an equipment report. Recover, clean, stock, and prepare exchange items from supply. Maintain a safe and clean work environment (including biohazard maintenance.) Responsible for complying with all local, state, and federal laws (i.e. state and county inventory levels, HIPPA, and OSHA.) Ensure compliance with all company policies and procedures (i.e. sop's, environmental audits, unit reviews, etc.) Establish and maintain positive working relationships with all levels of staff and personnel to ensure maximum communication and cooperation in addition to being responsive to field personnel issues. Participate in departmental and company meetings as required. Attend continuing education and training to obtain information and data pertinent to supply operations. Performs other such duties as may be required.
   
   Qualifications
   
   Minimum Qualifications:
   High school diploma or equivalent Current Drivers License
   Physical Requirements:
   Occasionally: kneeling, stooping, bending, stretching, leaning; must be able to lift up to 75 pounds. Frequently: hearing/listening, clear speech, reaching, touching, typing. Prompt and regular attendance at work. Ability to perform visual inspections.
   Working Environment:
   
   Works outdoors and indoors with occasional exposure to hazardous conditions and to blood/body fluids, fumes/odors, extended day, and temperature changes. Frequently works with others, face-to-face contact with others with exposure to noise, mechanical equipment, and electrical equipment.
   
   Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service, Inc. is committed to attracting and retaining the best talent. We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. M/F/V/D

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find supply specialists for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your supply specialist job on Zippia to find and recruit supply specialist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit supply specialists, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new supply specialist

   Once you've selected the best supply specialist candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a supply specialist?