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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Warehouse Stock Coordinator

💰 $36,000 - $52,000

OperationsWarehouseInventory ManagementLogisticsSupply Chain

🎯 Role Definition

The Warehouse Stock Coordinator is responsible for maintaining accurate inventory records, coordinating inbound and outbound stock movements, and improving warehouse operations to meet productivity and accuracy goals. This role is a hands-on operational position that bridges warehouse floor activities with inventory control and systems management, ensuring stock availability, compliance with FIFO/FEFO procedures, and timely replenishment to support order fulfillment and production.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Inventory Clerk or Inventory Control Assistant
  • Warehouse Associate / Picker-Packer
  • Shipping & Receiving Clerk

Advancement To:

  • Inventory Supervisor / Lead
  • Warehouse Supervisor or Warehouse Manager
  • Inventory Control Manager / Supply Chain Analyst

Lateral Moves:

  • Procurement or Purchasing Coordinator
  • Logistics Coordinator / Transportation Planner

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Own daily inventory accuracy for assigned SKUs and storage locations by performing scheduled cycle counts, reconciling discrepancies with physical counts, investigating root causes, and executing corrective actions to reduce shrink and variance.
  • Manage inbound receiving processes including verification of purchase orders, inspection of goods for damage and quality, accurate recording of receipts in the WMS/ERP, and timely routing of materials to proper storage or staging areas.
  • Coordinate outbound processes by staging orders, verifying pick lists, supervising picking and packing operations for accuracy, and ensuring all shipments are properly labeled and documented for on-time delivery.
  • Execute replenishment strategies to maintain optimal on-shelf inventory levels by monitoring min/max thresholds, initiating transfers between locations, and communicating replenishment needs to procurement or production teams.
  • Maintain and update inventory records in the warehouse management system (WMS) or ERP (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite) including adjustments, bin location changes, lot/serial number assignments, and cycle count results.
  • Perform root-cause analysis on recurring inventory discrepancies by reviewing receiving paperwork, purchase orders, and transaction history; recommend process changes and train staff to prevent recurrence.
  • Implement and enforce FIFO/FEFO (first-in-first-out / first-expire-first-out) stock rotation procedures in storage and picking areas to reduce obsolescence and expired goods.
  • Supervise and coordinate stock transfers and inter-warehouse movements, ensuring transfer paperwork, system transactions, and physical movements are reconciled and tracked.
  • Operate and manage barcode scanning equipment and mobile data terminals to capture accurate real-time inventory transactions and improve traceability.
  • Maintain stock organization standards by optimizing bin locations, labeling, signage, and slotting of SKUs to improve picking efficiency and reduce travel time.
  • Lead and execute periodic physical inventories and annual counts by planning count schedules, assigning counting teams, validating results, and resolving variances in partnership with finance.
  • Monitor and report on inventory KPIs such as inventory accuracy, cycle count completion rate, carrying cost, stockouts, and days of inventory; present findings and action plans to operations leadership.
  • Coordinate with quality control to quarantine non-conforming inventory, document holding status, and manage disposition or return-to-supplier processes.
  • Ensure compliance with health, safety and regulatory standards (OSHA, DOT, hazardous materials handling) within the warehouse and during stock handling activities.
  • Collaborate with procurement, production planning, and sales teams to prioritize replenishment, expedite critical SKUs, and provide inventory visibility for demand planning.
  • Manage supplier and carrier discrepancies related to short shipments, overages, or damaged goods by preparing claims, coordinating returns, and updating inventory records.
  • Train, mentor and provide daily direction to warehouse staff on inventory procedures, cycle counting techniques, equipment use, and productivity best practices to maintain a high-performance team.
  • Support continuous improvement initiatives such as 5S, Lean, and Kaizen projects to increase storage density, reduce waste, and streamline inventory flow.
  • Prepare and maintain accurate documentation for audits by internal teams and external stakeholders, providing supporting evidence for inventory positions and transactional history.
  • Schedule and coordinate palletization, staging, and cross-docking activities to meet tight delivery windows and reduce handling time.
  • Manage spare parts inventory and slow-moving/obsolete stock by conducting aging analysis, recommending disposition, and implementing rework or return-to-vendor strategies.
  • Use forecasting signals, sales order trends, and historical consumption data to recommend buffer stock levels and safety stock adjustments that align with service level targets.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc reporting requests by consolidating inventory data and preparing summaries for operations, finance, or procurement.
  • Assist with WMS/ERP data cleanup projects including SKU master data maintenance, location re-mapping, and transaction history validation.
  • Participate in cross-functional teams for new product introductions (NPI) to define storage, handling, and labeling requirements prior to warehouse receipt.
  • Provide backup support to shipping & receiving during peak periods, including processing BOLs, arranging carrier pickups, and preparing export documentation when needed.
  • Help implement cycle count automation tools and barcode label updates to improve data capture accuracy and reduce manual entry errors.
  • Participate in vendor-managed inventory (VMI) programs by communicating inventory levels and coordinating replenishment schedules with suppliers.
  • Assist safety team with incident investigations related to stock handling and contribute to corrective action plans.
  • Maintain spare supplies of packaging materials and manage reorder levels to avoid packing and shipping delays.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) proficiency (experience with SAP WM, Oracle WMS, Manhattan, or NetSuite WMS).
  • Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) transaction handling and inventory module use.
  • Cycle counting methodology and hands-on experience executing and reconciling cycle count programs.
  • Barcode/RFID systems, mobile scanners, and data capture technologies.
  • Strong Excel skills: VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, pivot tables, data filtering, and basic formulas for inventory analysis.
  • Knowledge of inventory control principles: FIFO/FEFO, safety stock calculation, and lot/serial traceability.
  • Experience with shipping documentation (BOL, packing lists, commercial invoices) and carrier coordination.
  • Familiarity with Lean/5S warehouse optimization techniques and continuous improvement practices.
  • Basic forklift operation awareness and/or powered industrial truck certification (preferred).
  • SAP Inventory/Material Master or equivalent SKU master data management experience.

Soft Skills

  • Strong attention to detail and accuracy with a bias for identifying and resolving discrepancies.
  • Clear verbal and written communication skills for cross-functional coordination with procurement, production, and logistics teams.
  • Analytical problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret inventory reports and drive corrective actions.
  • Time management and prioritization skills to manage competing tasks during peak warehouse cycles.
  • Team leadership and coaching ability to guide warehouse associates during counts, audits, and process rollouts.
  • Customer-focused mindset to support internal stakeholders and ensure on-time order fulfillment.
  • Adaptability to fast-paced warehouse environments and changing operational priorities.
  • Initiative and ownership: drives improvements and follows through on inventory control projects.
  • Conflict resolution and vendor relationship management when handling supplier discrepancies.
  • High integrity and accountability for maintaining accurate financial and inventory records.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or equivalent.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate degree or certificate in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, or related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Supply Chain Management
  • Logistics and Transportation
  • Business Administration
  • Operations Management
  • Inventory Control / Materials Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–5 years in warehouse, inventory control, or logistics roles.

Preferred:

  • 2+ years of direct inventory control or stock coordinator experience in a distribution center or manufacturing environment.
  • Hands-on experience using WMS/ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, Manhattan, NetSuite) and performing cycle counting and reconciliation.
  • Experience supervising or training warehouse staff and leading small continuous improvement projects.
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