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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Warehouse Inventory Analyst

💰 $48,000 - $78,000

warehouseinventorysupply chainlogisticsdata-analysisWMSERP

🎯 Role Definition

The Warehouse Inventory Analyst is a cross-functional practitioner who ensures inventory accuracy, minimizes shrink/obsolescence, and drives continuous improvement in warehouse operations. This role combines hands-on warehouse knowledge, inventory control best practices (cycle counting, reconciliation, root cause analysis), and strong data analytics skills (Excel, SQL, BI tools, WMS/ERP) to deliver reliable stock information for order fulfillment, planning, and financial close. The ideal candidate partners with operations, purchasing, finance, and IT to design and implement scalable inventory controls and reporting that improve fill rates, reduce stockouts, and optimize working capital.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Inventory Control Clerk / Cycle Count Associate
  • Warehouse Operations Coordinator / Shipping & Receiving Associate
  • Supply Chain or Logistics Analyst (junior)

Advancement To:

  • Inventory Control Manager
  • Supply Chain Planning Manager / Demand Planner
  • Warehouse Operations Manager or Logistics Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Procurement / Buyer
  • Quality Assurance Analyst (warehouse QA)
  • Data Analyst / Business Intelligence Analyst supporting supply chain

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Own daily inventory accuracy metrics and drive improvement plans: monitor cycle count performance, investigate discrepancies, lead root cause analysis, and implement corrective actions to achieve and sustain target inventory accuracy levels across SKUs and locations.
  • Design, execute and continuously refine cycle counting programs (ABC/XYZ segmentation, sampling strategies, frequency schedules), ensuring compliance with corporate audit standards and Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) inventory controls where applicable.
  • Reconcile inventory differences between the Warehouse Management System (WMS) / ERP and physical counts, prepare journal entries and variance explanations for finance, and partner with accounting for month-end and year-end inventory close.
  • Perform regular stock reconciliations for receiving, putaway, transfers, picks, returns and adjustments; generate discrepancy reports, assign investigation owners, and track resolution through root-cause corrective action plans.
  • Maintain and configure inventory master data attributes in ERP/WMS (location type, lot / batch control, expiration date, unit of measure, lead time), and partner with IT/ERP teams to ensure data integrity during system updates and migrations.
  • Build, maintain and distribute standardized KPI dashboards and operational reports (inventory accuracy, days on hand, turns, obsolescence, shrinkage, fill rate, out-of-stock events) using Excel, SQL, Power BI or Tableau to inform operations, planning and finance stakeholders.
  • Analyze SKU-level demand patterns and collaborate with demand planning/purchasing to identify slow-moving, obsolete, or excess inventory and recommend disposition, reallocation or promotion strategies to reduce carrying costs.
  • Lead or support inventory audits, internal controls testing, and third-party audits; prepare audit packages, reconcile exceptions, and implement audit recommendations to close control gaps.
  • Investigate and resolve complex inventory events (missing higher-value SKUs, mis-picks, short shipments, vendor claims), coordinating root cause analysis with warehouse leads, carriers and vendors and documenting lessons learned.
  • Create and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) and work instructions for inventory processes (counting, adjustments, cycle count reconciliation, receiving inspection, quarantine, returns), and ensure frontline adoption through training and coaching.
  • Use data-driven process improvement methods (Lean, Kaizen, Six Sigma principles) to reduce waste in inventory flow, optimize slotting, improve pick paths, and increase throughput while protecting accuracy.
  • Oversee barcode scanning, RFID and automated data collection systems for inventory transactions; troubleshoot scanning errors, manage hardware exceptions, and coordinate upgrades with technology partners.
  • Support inventory-related IT projects and WMS/ERP implementations: assist with functional testing, data conversion validation, inventory migration scripts, UAT scenarios, and post-deployment stabilization activities.
  • Monitor inbound and outbound transaction integrity (ASN reconciliation, putaway accuracy, replenishment thresholds) and recommend configuration changes to WMS parameters to reduce manual interventions and errors.
  • Collaborate with warehouse leadership to design and implement capacity planning and storage optimization strategies that minimize excess handling and stock damage while enabling seasonal demand variability.
  • Drive vendor and supplier collaboration to resolve serial/lot mismatches, returns disposition, and claim recovery efforts; document outcomes and adjust receiving inspection criteria where necessary.
  • Support cross-functional incident response for product recalls, quarantine holds, and contamination events by executing inventory holds, traceability queries, and disposition recommendations per quality protocols.
  • Conduct periodic SKU rationalization analysis to identify candidates for SKU consolidation, package changes, or discontinuation in partnership with product management and purchasing teams.
  • Prepare and present clear, executive-level summaries and recommendations to operations and finance leaders, translating complex inventory trends into prioritized actions that impact service level and cash flow.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests, exploratory analysis, and custom inventory queries for operations, planning, and finance stakeholders.
  • Contribute to the organization's data and inventory control strategy; participate in roadmap discussions for WMS, ERP and analytics enhancements.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams (receiving, picking, replenishment, purchasing and quality) to translate operational pain points into technical requirements and process improvements.
  • Participate in project sprint planning, UAT, and agile ceremonies for system enhancements; document requirements and acceptance criteria for inventory-related features.
  • Train warehouse supervisors and floor staff on inventory controls, cycle count best practices and system transaction workflows to ensure consistent execution.
  • Assist with annual physical inventory planning and execution (cycles vs. full physicals), including scheduling, resource allocation and reconciliation playbooks.
  • Maintain documentation for compliance with internal control policies and external regulatory requirements affecting inventory handling and traceability.
  • Facilitate continuous improvement workshops (Kaizen events) and pilot new inventory management techniques (dynamic slotting, wave-less picking) and measure results.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Inventory management and control: cycle counting, physical inventory, reconciliation, adjustments, shrink management, and obsolescence analysis.
  • Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and ERP proficiency: experience with SAP WM/EWM, Oracle/JD Edwards, Manhattan, Infor, NetSuite or equivalent.
  • Strong Excel skills: advanced formulas, pivot tables, Power Query, VBA/macros for data reconciliation and automation.
  • SQL querying and data extraction: ability to join tables, aggregate transactions, and prepare datasets for reporting and root cause analysis.
  • Business Intelligence / Dashboarding: Power BI, Tableau, Looker or similar for KPI visualization and operational reporting.
  • Data integrity and master data management: SKU attributes, lot/batch/expiry management, location hierarchies and UOM conversions.
  • Barcode/RFID technologies and handheld RF device experience; knowledge of scanning transactions and troubleshooting scan exceptions.
  • Understanding of supply chain fundamentals: lead time, safety stock, reorder point, ABC/XYZ segmentation, EOQ basics and demand variability.
  • Familiarity with audit/compliance processes: SOX inventory controls, external audit readiness, and inventory reconciliation procedures.
  • Process improvement methodologies: Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen or continuous improvement techniques applied to warehouse/inventory processes.
  • Basic scripting or automation skills (Python, R, or scripting within ERP/WMS) are a plus for complex data manipulation and automation.

Soft Skills

  • Strong analytical mindset with attention to detail and a bias for data-driven decisions.
  • Clear communicator: able to present technical inventory concepts to operations, finance and executive stakeholders.
  • Collaborative team player who influences cross-functional partners and drives follow-through on corrective actions.
  • Problem-solver with persistence to investigate root causes and close the loop on process improvements.
  • Time management and prioritization skills for handling month-end close activities, audits and daily operations simultaneously.
  • Customer-service orientation: align inventory initiatives to on-time delivery, order accuracy and service-level targets.
  • Change management and training skills to build adoption of inventory controls and system changes on the warehouse floor.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Associate degree in Logistics, Supply Chain, Business Administration, or related field (or equivalent experience).

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Analytics, Industrial Engineering, Finance, or related discipline.
  • Certifications a plus: APICS CPIM/CSCP, Six Sigma Green/Yellow Belt, WMS certification.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Supply Chain Management
  • Logistics / Transportation
  • Business Analytics / Data Science
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Finance / Accounting (for inventory close knowledge)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2–5 years in inventory control, warehouse operations, supply chain analytics, or related roles.

Preferred:

  • 3+ years managing inventory processes in a warehouse environment using WMS/ERP systems.
  • Demonstrated experience performing cycle counting, reconciliations, month-end inventory close support, and delivering process improvement projects.
  • Hands-on experience with SQL and BI tools to produce recurring dashboards and ad-hoc inventory analysis.
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