How to Become an Inventory Controller: Career Guide

Are you that person everyone seeks when it comes to finding the best way to organize things?

Do you thrive on finding the best deals and negotiating? 

Then you could be on the right path to becoming an excellent inventory controller.

In brief, an inventory controller is the person who always knows how much stock companies need to maintain in order to meet demand, making sure products are delivered at the right time, without any hiccups along the way.

So if you're planning to change careers or just wondering about the possibility of putting your organisational skills to good use, this guide is for you.

‍

What's an Inventory Controller?

Just like we mentioned above, an inventory controller is in charge of overseeing the inventory of a business with the purpose of guaranteeing that there's sufficient stock to satisfy customer demand.

Among their most common responsibilities, you'll find:

‍

• Monitoring inventory levels to make sure what's recorded is indeed accurate.
• Working with cross-functional teams, warehouse staff, and suppliers. 
• Analysing costs and providing recommendations.
• Negotiate prices with suppliers.
• Be the person in charge of welcoming the goods and assessing their quality.
• Collaborating with the inventory manager to develop reports so forecasting gets simpler.
• Detecting any potential issues with stock and solving them before they become messy.

Where do inventory controllers work?

That's another good point. 

Inventory controllers are needed in every single industry you can imagine.

Think retail, manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, robotics…there's an opportunity in literally every company.

Is inventory control important?

Essential even 

Without inventory control, companies wouldn't have an accurate method to understand what's going on with their inventory. 

While inventory management usually takes the spotlight, because it's all about the long-term strategy, inventory control is equally important to not lose money or worse, your customers' trust.

‍

What Education Do I Need to Become an Inventory Controller?

For entry-level roles, some companies only demand to have a high school diploma and the ability to learn on the go. 

If you want to specialize, however, there are a couple of relevant degrees you could pursue, if that resonates with your plan and aspirations. 

Relevant degrees 

• Supply Chain Management
• Logistics
• Business Administration

‍

These programs often include useful topics like inventory systems, procurement, data analysis, and warehouse operations, skills you’ll use on the job.

Short courses 

Maybe a full-time degree isn't an option for your current lifestyle, or perhaps you studied something different altogether and now want to walk into the world of inventory control with some certified knowledge.

Whatever the reason, there are alternatives to conventional college degrees.

• Inventory management: Absolutely fundamental to have the first contact with all the basics surrounding the way inventory works within different industries.
• Inventory management techniques: When it comes to inventory management, there's no one-size-fits-all approach, so you need to be familiar with the multiple strategies businesses have at their disposal.
• Supply chain fundamentals: Because there's no inventory without a working supply chain.  As an inventory controller, you must be able to understand the whole supply chain cycle, from purchasing to distribution.
• Warehouse operations: Most of the time, this will be your working scenario, so it makes absolute sense to feel confident with their day-to-day operations.
• Data analysis: Learn how to analyze inventory data, spot trends, and make smarter decisions using business intelligence tools and digital systems.

‍

Essential Skills 

As with any other role,  becoming an inventory controller demands a combination of technical knowledge and soft skills; some of them might require you to invest a bit more to develop, while others could come naturally to you. 

Technical skills for any inventory controller.

• Inventory management software: This one is more important than you might believe. We believe in a world that's more and more digital than ever, businesses are increasingly seeking ways to optimize time and money allocation, so working with an inventory management software is a must.
• Inventory control: Well, yeah, obvious as it sounds, you'll need to feel fully comfortable handling multiple tasks like dealing with suppliers, creating purchase orders, and constantly checking your records.
• Data entry: Don't need to panic here, with a good inventory management software, you won't have to spend hours or days recording important information.
• Accounting: As an inventory controller, there'll be situations when you have to present financial reports or get budgets ready for new stock.

Soft skills 

‍

• Attention to detail:  You could be forgiven if you lack knowledge in one of the areas above, but an absence of attention to detail? That's 100% necessary for the role.  Having the ability to be precise in your job, no matter what, is a non-negotiable requirement.
• Communication: Another important aspect of your day-to-day job is going to include communicating with different people, it could be someone on your team, a person from the finance department, or a long discussion with a critical supplier. Whether it's in a call, a Slack channel, or an in-person meeting, you need to be able to deliver your points and have sufficient empathy to understand the person on the other side.
• Organization:  Remember how we started this article?  Yep, if you don't know how to work your way around a large list of priorities and work under pressure, it might be a sign that inventory control isn't for you.
• Negotiation: This is another must-have, even in the most perfect relationships, there are points to concede or demand, working with suppliers is no different, so persuasion has to be part of your natural skillset 

‍

How to Gain The Right Experience?

Entry-level roles

This is how most people start. 

After all, there's no better way to get experience on something new than doing it. 

You can get your first role related to inventory control by applying to the following positions:

‍

• Inventory Clerk: This position is ideal to get all the inside knowledge regarding how to track stock levels, update records, and help with stock counts.
• Warehouse Associate:  Handles the movement and storage of goods; often works closely with inventory teams.
• Stock Coordinator:  A role very close to what an inventory controller does, overseeing incoming and outgoing products, keeping things organized, and helping prevent stock issues.
• Logistics Assistant:  This is the person who supports the logistics team with scheduling shipments, checking inventory levels, and data entry.

Career progression 

• Inventory Supervisor:  Ready to take the lead? An inventory supervisor handles a whole team and makes sure inventory procedures are implemented and followed correctly.
• Inventory Manager: Manages inventory systems, forecasts demand, and works with procurement and finance teams.
• Director of Inventory:  Leads strategy across departments and helps shape the company’s supply chain processes.
  
  

How Can You Gain Experience Faster?

• Ask for cross-training: If you're already working in a warehouse or retail setting, ask to help with inventory counts or reporting.
  Take initiative: Offer to improve a spreadsheet, run a small stock analysis, or help troubleshoot inventory discrepancies.
• Look for internships or volunteer opportunities: Even unpaid experience in a nonprofit or community project can give you real-world practice.

‍