How to become an Inventory and Supply Officer

Inventory and supply officers receive and dispatch goods, manage stock levels and record stock movement. With experience, and sometimes further training, it is possible to become an inventory control manager or supply manager.

Personal requirements for an Inventory and Supply Officer

Enjoy clerical and administrative activities
Good planning and numeracy skills
A methodical approach to work
Good communication skills
Aptitude for working with computer systems
Able to pay attention to detail

Education & Training for an Inventory and Supply Officer

You can work as an inventory and supply officer without formal qualifications. You will probably get some informal training on the job.Entry to this occupation may be improved if you have qualifications. You may like to consider a VET qualification. As subjects and prerequisites can vary between institutions, you should contact your chosen institution for further information.You can also become an inventory and supply officer through a traineeship. Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10.

Duties & Tasks of an Inventory and Supply Officer

Inventory and supply officers:

Prepare purchase orders
Receive, store and issue goods
Manage stock levels and distribute supplies from stock
Maintain stock records using manual or computerised systems
Prepare inventories
Find sources of supply and obtain quotes from suppliers
Price incoming goods, estimate the cost of requisitions or value of stock and store articles
Coordinate purchasing, warehousing and inventory functions.

Tasks

Establishes and co-ordinates the operating procedures for receiving, handling, storing and shipping goods.
Counts incoming stock and reconciles it with requisitions.
Updates inventory and stock location records.

Working conditions for an Inventory and Supply Officer

Inventory officers normally manage the level of stock held by a company, while supply officers (a more senior position in large companies) are usually responsible for the coordination of purchasing, warehousing and inventory functions.

Employment Opportunities for an Inventory and Supply Officer

Inventory and supply officers are employed in hospitals and government agencies, and in construction, defence, manufacturing, mining, service, transport, wholesale and retail firms.Increased use of computers and automation in inventory and stores management has affected the nature of inventory and supply work, with many businesses moving towards a single, automated warehousing operation focusing on just-in-time delivery, rather than a number of smaller stores that maintain large amounts of stock.

Specializations

Purchasing Officer

A purchasing officer plans and schedules the delivery of goods and services for industrial, commercial or government establishments. They contact suppliers to obtain information on price, quality and delivery capabilities for the goods or services required, and meet with sales representatives from the various suppliers to compare their products and companies.

Inventory and Supply Officer

Average age
39
Future Growth
N/A
Gender Share
44% female
Average full-time
42 hours
Weekly Pay
N/A
Skill level rating
Entry level
Unemployment
Lower unemployment
Full-Time Share
72%
Employment Size
19,300
Employment by state
ACT: 1.0%
NSW: 30.8%
NT: 1.0%
QLD: 20.0%
SA: 6.5%
TAS: 1.7%
VIC: 27.2%
WA: 11.8%
Age brackets
15-19: 3.3%
20-24: 10.6%
25-34: 26%
35-44: 23.5%
45-54: 20.7%
55-59: 8.2%
60-64: 5.1%
65 and Over: 2.4%
Education level
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 11.4%
Bachelor degree: 14.7%
Certificate III/IV: 18%
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 5.3%
Year 10 and below: 15.6%
Year 11: 6.8%
Year 12: 28.2%