Inventory Coordinator Careers: Job Description & Salary Info

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What are the pros and cons of an inventory coordinator career? Get real job descriptions, career prospects and salary info to see if becoming an inventory coordinator is right for you.
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Pros and Cons of an Inventory Coordinator Career

Inventory coordinators work to ensure that a company has the products and materials it needs to operate. Explore the pros and cons of being an inventory coordinator ahead.

Pros of an Inventory Coordinator Career
Can work at the manufacturing, distribution or retail levels*
Entry-level positions available that only require a high school education**
Interact with multiple departments in an organization**
Opportunities exist for advancement*

Cons of an Inventory Coordinator Career
Declining job growth in some industries***
Position may be physically demanding**
Multiple priorities and responsibilities may cause stress*
Work environment in some organizations may be loud**

Sources: *University of Wisconsin, **Adams 12 Five Star Schools, ***U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Essential Career Information

Job Description and Duties

Inventory coordinators manage and maintain the inventory records in retail, manufacturing or distribution businesses. Coordinators analyze inventory records to determine the demand for materials and the appropriate stock levels to maintain. Inventory control begins when materials are brought into the organization through the receiving process. Coordinators verify the count and condition of materials against documentation provided by the vendor.

Inventory control coordinators enter quantity information into the organization's inventory management system. Coordinators monitor inventory accuracy by conducting regular physical inventories or through a cycle-counting system. Cycle-counting is a management process that counts a portion of the inventory each day, eliminating the need for a disruptive physical inventory. Coordinators identify discrepancies in the inventory records and conduct an analysis to determine the root cause of the count error. Coordinators also adjust the system to reflect accurate count quantity.

Job Growth and Salary

According to PayScale.com, as of July 2015 the annual salary for inventory coordinators ranged from $31,000-$58,000. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects employment in the computer and electronics product manufacturing industry to decrease 19% between 2012-2022, and employment in the aerospace parts and product manufacturing industry to experience no change during the same period. The BLS expects inventory coordinators, referred by the BLS as logisticians, to experience a 22% employment growth.

Education and Training Requirements

The education requirements for inventory coordinators vary according to employer. Some employers require a minimum of a high school diploma with experience in inventory control, materials management or warehousing and logistics, while others require a college degree. Experience with inventory databases can give job candidates an edge. Usually, employers require that inventory coordinator candidates possess the ability to perform mathematical calculations and use computers.

What Employers Are Looking For

Inventory coordinators can work in a manufacturing environment for a variety of employers. Employers generally prefer job candidates with experience in inventory control and the ability to analyze and research inventory discrepancies. Below are some job postings for inventory coordinators found in March 2012.

  • An Indiana manufacturing company is looking for an inventory coordinator to maintain and correct the inventory records database. Job candidates must have a bachelor's degree or professional experience.
  • An Ohio consumer food manufacturer is seeking an inventory deployment coordinator to be responsible for establishing inventory levels, maintaining accurate counts, analyzing inventory discrepancies and developing strategies to reduce costs. The employer requires the candidate to have a minimum of two years experience in inventory control or a college degree.
  • An Illinois employer is searching for an inventory control coordinator to monitor shipping and receiving transactions, reconcile, and analyze inventory discrepancies. The company requires candidates have at least one year of college and three years experience in inventory control.

How to Stand Out in the Field

While there is no particular education requirement for inventory coordinators, students in a bachelor's degree program or those planning a career in inventory control can pursue a certificate in supply chain management. Education in supply chain management provides students with an understanding of scheduling, material and capacity planning, purchasing and inventory control.

Get Certified

The Association for Operations Management offers certification in production and inventory management for professionals in purchasing, planning, inventory control and supply chain management. To become certified, you must pass examinations in supply chain management, resource management, operations, scheduling and planning.

Other Careers to Consider

Purchasing

If you have an interest in supply chain and materials management, but an inventory coordinator career is not a good fit for you, opportunities are available in purchasing. Purchasing managers use information from inventory coordinators to determine the need for materials and supplies. Managers work to obtain the best price for materials in terms of cost and quality. The median annual salary for purchasing managers in 2010 was $95,000 and employment was expected to rise seven percent between 2008 and 2018, according to the BLS. Purchasing managers must have a higher level of education than inventory coordinators, and some employers prefer that candidates have a graduate degree.

Production Planning and Management

Production managers oversee and plan the operations necessary for manufacturing products. Managers must ensure that workers maintain the quality of the product while meeting production goals. Production managers use the business's human, machine and material resources to manufacture products as efficiently as possible. While employment in the manufacturing industry is expected to decline between 2008 and 2018, industrial production manager positions will decline at a slower rate than other positions in the industry. Most positions require a college degree, but employers may also require experience in production for management jobs. In 2010, the median annual salary for industrial production managers was $87,000, according to the BLS.

Popular Schools

  • Online Programs Available
    1. Grand Canyon University

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Master of Business Administration with an Emphasis in Supply Chain Management
      • MBA
    Bachelor's
      • B.S. in Supply and Logistics Management
      • Bachelor: Applied Management
  • Online Programs Available
    2. Bryant & Stratton College

    Program Options

    Bachelor's
      • General Management (GM) - BBA
    Associate's
      • AS - Business
      • AS - Office Information Technology
    Certificate
      • Business Assistant Diploma
      • Business - AAS
      • Business Assistant - Diploma
      • Office Administrative Assistant Diploma
      • Office Administrative Assistant - Diploma
  • Online Programs Available
    3. Saint Leo University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • DBA: Business Administration
    Master's
      • MBA: Supply Chain Global Integration Management
    Associate's
      • AA: Business Administration
  • Online Programs Available
    4. Liberty University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • Doctor of Business Administration: Accounting
      • Doctor of Business Administration: Executive Coaching
      • Doctor of Business Administration: Finance
      • Doctor of Business Administration: Healthcare Management
      • Doctor of Business Administration: Human Resources
      • Doctor of Business Administration: Information Systems
    Certificate
      • CTG: Business Administration
  • University of Maryland Global Campus

  • Online Programs Available
    6. Penn Foster

    Program Options

    Certificate
      • Career Diploma - Administrative Assistant
  • Western Governors University

  • Online Programs Available
    8. Penn Foster High School

    Program Options

    High School Diploma
      • HS Diploma
  • Campus and Online Programs
    9. Full Sail University

    Program Options

    Master's
      • M.S. - Entertainment Business
    Bachelor's
      • B.S. - Music Business

Featured Schools

Grand Canyon University

  • Master of Business Administration with an Emphasis in Supply Chain Management
  • MBA
  • B.S. in Supply and Logistics Management
  • Bachelor: Applied Management

What is your highest level of education?

Bryant & Stratton College

  • General Management (GM) - BBA
  • AS - Business
  • Business Assistant Diploma

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Saint Leo University

  • DBA: Business Administration
  • MBA: Supply Chain Global Integration Management
  • AA: Business Administration

What is your highest level of education completed?

Liberty University

  • Doctor of Business Administration: Accounting
  • Doctor of Business Administration: Executive Coaching
  • CTG: Business Administration

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University of Maryland Global Campus

Penn Foster

  • Career Diploma - Administrative Assistant

What is your highest level of education?

Penn Foster High School

  • HS Diploma

What is your highest level of education?