What does a supply specialist do?

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. They maintain inventory reports, manage stock supplies, negotiate with third-party vendors for orders of quality products, monitor deliveries, verifying orders for shipment, handling the employee and customers' requests for supplies, and receiving orders efficiently. Inventory controllers keep receipts of all inventory transactions, as well as inspecting the quality of the inventory items, requiring them to have excellent analytical and critical-thinking skills.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a supply specialist are more likely to require skills like "logistical support," "safety regulations," "financial management procedures," and "property accountability." On the other hand, a job as an inventory controller requires skills like "data entry," "math," "basic math," and "purchase orders." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

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. Warehouse workers receive the items that are delivered to the warehouse, ensure that the items are complete using the delivery list, and keep the items safe in the designated area in the warehouse. They also clear any items that will exit the warehouse by ensuring that only the items that are on the list will be removed from the warehouse, and checking if these items are safely packed before leaving.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that supply specialist responsibilities requires skills like "logistical support," "financial management procedures," "inventory management," and "property accountability." But a warehouse worker might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "pallets," "basic math," "electric pallet jack," and "customer orders."

A warehouse clerk is an employee responsible for the process of ordered goods while keeping the warehouse well-organized and clean. Warehouse clerks accept company products' deliveries, inspect them for any damages, and store them accordingly in the warehouse. Companies require their warehouse clerks to have many skills, such as an operating forklift or other machinery to transport large and heavy goods. Warehouse clerks must also possess abilities like knowledge in Warehouse Management Software programs and detailed-oriented capable of noticing small errors in orders.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a supply specialist is likely to be skilled in "logistical support," "financial management procedures," "inventory control," and "property accountability," while a typical warehouse clerk is skilled in "work ethic," "strong work ethic," "data entry," and "logistics."

Inventory clerks or inventory control clerks manage and maintain all inventory coming in and out. They ensure that the items are stored and stocked in their proper places. They have to train less experienced clerks as well as prepare balance and shortage reports. They also need to report any stock issues, place orders when necessary, prepare a list of lacking products, and take note of unusable items. A good inventory clerk must be detail-oriented, organized, and have relevant experience in inventory control.