Inventory Control Specialist Job Description, Key Duties and Responsibilities

This post presents detailed information on the job description of an inventory control specialist, including the key duties, tasks, and responsibilities they commonly perform.

What Does an Inventory Control Specialist Do?

An inventory control specialist is someone who is responsible for overseeing inventory flows in an organization.

The inventory control specialist job description involves coordinating the outflow and inflow of inventory, as well as shipment, loading, and storage activities in a company.

His/her role also entails making ordering decisions for goods and carrying out maintenance functions in the warehouse.

Inventory control specialists are needed in various industries, namely automotive supplies, industrial supplies; foods and beverages, consumer goods, and pharmaceutical industries.

They work mainly from the warehouse, which may be cold or hot, depending on what the organization deals in, and are usually expected to lift heavy items in the course of duty.

Inventory control specialists work alongside other groups of people including members of staff of the warehouse, company customers, and sales representatives.

They are saddled with the responsibility to post shipping and weigh charges. They are also involved in investigating discrepancies and inventory shortage.

Other duties they perform include providing support in loading and shipping preparations.

They are relied on by management for the timely recording and presentation of inventory reports for quick resolution of issues affecting operations.

In today’s work place, technological innovations have made the job of the inventory specialist easy. Therefore, individuals aspiring to the position must be proficient in the use of technological tools, including the computer.

He/she must also be up to date on development in professional practice so as to be able to provide training to young inventory personnel and other staff.

Inventory Control Specialist Job Description Example/Sample/Template

Inventory control specialists perform various duties, tasks, and responsibilities as shown in the job description example below:

• Supervise, oversee, and plan every activity that relates to inventory control in the organization or warehouse environment
• Ensure all items in the warehouse are appropriately received and stored
• See to proper inventory to ensure customers’ demands are met in the most efficient manner obtainable
• Work directly with management to bring them up to date regarding stock inflow and outflow
• Compile inventory information and present it to management for effective decision making, which may include the need for restock, and so on
• Provide recommendations to management, as well as to sales leaders
• Provide accurate information on inventory to customers to guide them in their choice of items to order
• Review balance of inventory and count the items in stock
• Initiate policy changes regarding inventory in the company
• Investigate hitches in the warehouse inventory system and execute necessary improvements towards better business performance, which centers on customer satisfaction
• Perform managerial functions, including retraining members of staff of the warehouse if necessary
• Hire new staff when openings become available
• Liaise with management in implementing disciplinary actions against warehouse staff found wanting for offenses that require management decisions
• Set up schedules for the warehouse; monitor staff performances, and conduct reviews

Inventory Control Specialist Job Description for Resume

In making a resume for the job of inventory control specialist, the sample job description provided above can serve as a source of information for completing the professional experience section of the resume.

Inventory Control Specialist Requirements: Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities for Career Success

Here are important skills and other qualities most employers usually look for when hiring for the position of inventory control specialist, which have been found to help the individual to perform better on the job:

• Bachelor’s degree, in addition to two to seven years of direct working experience. Such experience should border around warehousing and wholesale distribution
• Familiarity with company products is added advantage in most instances, demonstrating better understanding of the company’s expectations
• Ability to adapt promptly to any change in working condition and to get problems resolved without delay
• Ability to perform excellently even when under work pressure, especially in times when shipment or inventory deliveries are forgotten or delayed
• Possess effective verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to comprehend written materials easily
• Ability to relate across departments connected to the warehouse, and with other members of staff within working environment
• Ability to handle several tasks simultaneously and get them resolved without any hitch or glitch
• Proficient with the use of the computer, especially packages relating to inventory, like Excel and others
• Possess relatively fast typing skill