| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | Logistics and Warehousing |
| Level | Mid level |
| Reports to | Warehouse Manager |
| Direct reports | Store Keeper, Warehouse Assistant |
| Experience | 3 to 6 years in inventory or stores with counting and reconciliation |
Inventory Control Supervisor job description template
Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.
Job title: Inventory Control Supervisor
Department: Logistics and Warehousing
Reports to: Warehouse Manager
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
An Inventory Control Supervisor keeps the recorded stock matching the stock on the shelf. They run cycle counts, investigate variances, control adjustments, and make sure receiving and issue are booked correctly. They own the accuracy that everyone else relies on: picking, replenishment, planning and finance all trust their numbers. A good Inventory Control Supervisor holds accuracy high through disciplined counts and root-cause fixes, keeps ageing and dead stock visible, and makes stock audits a routine that passes rather than a fire drill.
Key responsibilities
- Plan and run cycle counts by ABC class so every item is counted on schedule.
- Investigate stock variances to root cause and correct the process, not just the number.
- Control stock adjustments so only approved corrections are posted with a reason.
- Check that receiving, put-away and issue are booked in the system as they happen on the floor.
- Track ageing, slow-moving and dead stock and flag it for action to the manager.
- Reconcile physical stock with the system before and during audits and close gaps.
- Maintain location and bin accuracy so items are where the system says they are.
- Manage returns and damaged stock so they are graded, recorded and put back or written off.
- Support month-end and annual stock takes and prepare the variance report.
- Train floor staff on correct scanning and stock handling to prevent errors.
Requirements
- Graduate in commerce or any discipline
- Working knowledge of inventory processes and warehouse systems
- A diploma in supply chain or store management is an advantage
- 3 to 6 years in inventory or stores with counting and reconciliation
KRAs and KPIs for a Inventory Control Supervisor
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| Inventory accuracy | Stock accuracy above 99.5 percent by cycle count each month |
| Cycle count coverage | Planned cycle counts completed on schedule above 98 percent |
| Variance closure | Variances investigated to root cause and corrected within the agreed days |
| Ageing control | Ageing and dead stock reported monthly and kept below the agreed value |
| Location accuracy | Bin and location accuracy above the site target |
| Audit readiness | Stock audits passed with no major variance findings |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: Warehouse management system, RF and barcode scanners, MS Excel, ERP inventory module, Cycle count reports.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: Assistant Warehouse Manager, Warehouse Manager, Inventory Manager
Interview questions for a Inventory Control Supervisor
- How do you plan cycle counts so accuracy stays high without stopping operations?
- You find a large negative variance on a fast mover. How do you investigate it?
- What controls do you put on stock adjustments to prevent misuse?
- How do you keep bin and location accuracy in a busy warehouse?
- How do you identify and act on ageing and dead stock?
- Tell me how you prepared a warehouse for an annual stock take that passed cleanly.
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What does an Inventory Control Supervisor do?
An Inventory Control Supervisor keeps recorded stock matching physical stock. They plan and run cycle counts, investigate variances to root cause, control adjustments, and check that receiving and issue are booked correctly. They track ageing and dead stock, keep location accuracy high, and prepare the warehouse for stock audits that pass.
What is the difference between an Inventory Control Supervisor and a Store Keeper?
A Store Keeper receives, stores and issues stock and keeps the store tidy and recorded. An Inventory Control Supervisor sits above that, owning the accuracy of the numbers through cycle counts, variance investigation and adjustment control. The store keeper handles the material; the supervisor guards the integrity of the stock records.
What skills does an Inventory Control Supervisor need?
Cycle counting, variance analysis and stock reconciliation are the core skills, along with comfort using a warehouse system and scanners. They need sharp attention to detail, the discipline to find root causes rather than just correcting numbers, and the ability to train floor staff on correct handling. A supply chain diploma helps.