Post job

What does a warehouse inventory specialist do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
On this page

Warehouse inventory specialist responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real warehouse inventory specialist resumes:

  • Manage assign commodities by communicating MRP changes to the suppliers, minimizing obsolete inventory while achieving the optimum inventory targets.
  • Reconcile physical, on-hand inventory with POS database software at regular intervals.
  • Manage assign commodities by communicating MRP changes to the suppliers, minimizing obsolete inventory while achieving the optimum inventory targets.
  • Collaborate with international factories regarding space and allocate issues with forwarders.
  • Consolidate and coordinate shipment with freight forwarders to expedite all international shipments.

Warehouse inventory specialist skills and personality traits

We calculated that 10% of Warehouse Inventory Specialists are proficient in Warehouse Inventory, Data Entry, and Pallet Jack. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Customer-service skills, and Detail oriented.

We break down the percentage of Warehouse Inventory Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Warehouse Inventory, 10%

    Forecast and Distribute Warehouse inventory for Driver sales and delivery.

  • Data Entry, 7%

    Tasked with insuring records were kept accurately by data entry system management.

  • Pallet Jack, 6%

    Well equipped with lifting devices such as stand-up and sit-down forklift, order picker, electrical pallet jack and clamp lift.

  • Inventory Control, 6%

    Maintained inventory control and product quality in a warehouse setting.

  • Pallets, 6%

    Operate forklift, load and unload incoming trailers put away pallets of product, monthly inventory audit.

  • Logistics, 6%

    Tasked with establishing system development priorities and responsible for the development of the overall organization/component logistics system management.

Common skills that a warehouse inventory specialist uses to do their job include "warehouse inventory," "data entry," and "pallet jack." You can find details on the most important warehouse inventory specialist responsibilities below.

Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a warehouse inventory specialist to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "production, planning, and expediting clerks are frequently in contact with suppliers, vendors, and production managers and need to communicate the firm’s scheduling needs effectively." Warehouse inventory specialists often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "assure proper communication with customer service department to avoid discrepancies. "

Customer-service skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling warehouse inventory specialist duties is customer-service skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "stock clerks sometimes interact with customers in retail stores and may have to get the item the customer is looking for from the storeroom." According to a warehouse inventory specialist resume, here's how warehouse inventory specialists can utilize customer-service skills in their job responsibilities: "specialized in inventory and material handling documented inventory locations maintained minimum/maximum quantities for customers completed daily cycle counts for accuracy"

Detail oriented. warehouse inventory specialists are also known for detail oriented, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to warehouse inventory specialist responsibilities, because "material and product inspecting clerks check items for defects, some of which are small and difficult to spot." A warehouse inventory specialist resume example shows how detail oriented is used in the workplace: "verify purchase orders and invoices against delivery organize stocks and enter details of inventories into the warehouse management system. "

Math skills. For certain warehouse inventory specialist responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "math skills." The day-to-day duties of a warehouse inventory specialist rely on this skill, as "some material recording clerks use math to calculate shipping costs or take measurements." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what warehouse inventory specialists do: "do a lot of math for mixing material. "

Most common warehouse inventory specialist skills

The three companies that hire the most warehouse inventory specialists are:

Choose from 10+ customizable warehouse inventory specialist resume templates

Build a professional warehouse inventory specialist resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your warehouse inventory specialist resume.
Warehouse Inventory Specialist Resume
Warehouse Inventory Specialist Resume
Warehouse Inventory Specialist Resume
Warehouse Inventory Specialist Resume
Warehouse Inventory Specialist Resume
Warehouse Inventory Specialist Resume
Warehouse Inventory Specialist Resume
Warehouse Inventory Specialist Resume
Warehouse Inventory Specialist Resume
Warehouse Inventory Specialist Resume
Warehouse Inventory Specialist Resume
Warehouse Inventory Specialist Resume
Warehouse Inventory Specialist Resume
Warehouse Inventory Specialist Resume
Warehouse Inventory Specialist Resume
Warehouse Inventory Specialist Resume

Compare different warehouse inventory specialists

Warehouse inventory specialist vs. 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. 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.

We looked at the average warehouse inventory specialist salary and compared it with the wages of an inventory controller. Generally speaking, inventory controllers are paid $4,442 higher than warehouse inventory specialists per year.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both warehouse inventory specialist and inventory controller positions are skilled in warehouse inventory, data entry, and inventory control.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between warehouse inventory specialists and inventory controller. For instance, warehouse inventory specialist responsibilities require skills such as "pallet jack," "pallets," "cycle counts," and "rf." Whereas a inventory controller is skilled in "math," "basic math," "perishables," and "management system." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Inventory controllers really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $35,671. Comparatively, warehouse inventory specialists tend to make the most money in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $34,259.inventory controllers tend to reach similar levels of education than warehouse inventory specialists. In fact, inventory controllers are 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Warehouse inventory specialist vs. Inventory clerk

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.

Inventory clerk positions earn higher pay than warehouse inventory specialist roles. They earn a $197 higher salary than warehouse inventory specialists per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both warehouse inventory specialists and inventory clerks have skills such as "warehouse inventory," "data entry," and "pallet jack. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that warehouse inventory specialist responsibilities requires skills like "pallets," "logistics," "safety standards," and "inventory counts." But an inventory clerk might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "store merchandise," "stock inventory," "part numbers," and "powerpoint."

Inventory clerks earn a higher average salary than warehouse inventory specialists. But inventory clerks earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $34,591. Additionally, warehouse inventory specialists earn the highest salaries in the manufacturing with average pay of $34,259 annually.In general, inventory clerks achieve similar levels of education than warehouse inventory specialists. They're 2.0% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Warehouse inventory specialist vs. Inventory control associate

In warehouses, an inventory control associate plays a significant role in its daily operations. It is their responsibility to monitor the inventory of supplies, receive job orders and process shipments, monitor the arrival and departure of cargo, and maintain records of all transactions, updating databases as necessary. There are also instances where they must operate machinery and maintain the cleanliness of work areas. Furthermore, as an inventory control associate, it is essential to participate in developing strategies to optimize the facility's supply chain operations while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.

An average inventory control associate eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of warehouse inventory specialists. The difference in salaries amounts to inventory control associates earning a $5,072 higher average salary than warehouse inventory specialists.By looking over several warehouse inventory specialists and inventory control associates resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "warehouse inventory," "data entry," and "inventory control." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from warehouse inventory specialist resumes include skills like "pallet jack," "logistics," "shipping receiving," and "inventory management," whereas an inventory control associate is more likely to list skills in "math," "stock merchandise," "powerpoint," and "electric pallet jack. "

Inventory control associates earn the highest salary when working in the technology industry, where they receive an average salary of $42,799. Comparatively, warehouse inventory specialists have the highest earning potential in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $34,259.When it comes to education, inventory control associates tend to earn similar degree levels compared to warehouse inventory specialists. In fact, they're 0.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Warehouse inventory specialist vs. Warehouse employee

A warehouse employee is responsible for assisting high-level operations of the warehouse or distribution centers, organizing merchandise inventory, packing and labeling products, operating warehouse tools and equipment, and processing shipment orders efficiently and accurately. Warehouse employees maintain the cleanliness and orderliness of the facilities to avoid potential hazards and delay during operations. They assist in loading and unloading items from delivery vehicles to different areas of the warehouse. A warehouse employee may also perform administrative duties, such as responding to customers' inquiries and concerns through calls and e-mails, resolving complaints, and writing reports.

Warehouse employees typically earn higher pay than warehouse inventory specialists. On average, warehouse employees earn a $41 higher salary per year.While their salaries may vary, warehouse inventory specialists and warehouse employees both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "warehouse inventory," "inventory control," and "pallets. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A warehouse inventory specialist uses "data entry," "pallet jack," "safety standards," and "shipping receiving." Warehouse employees are more likely to have duties that require skills in "cleanliness," "plumbing," "eclipse," and "hand trucks. "The transportation industry tends to pay the highest salaries for warehouse employees, with average annual pay of $33,435. Comparatively, the highest warehouse inventory specialist annual salary comes from the manufacturing industry.The average resume of warehouse employees showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to warehouse inventory specialists. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 2.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.2%.

Types of warehouse inventory specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse office and administrative jobs