Job profiles

Inventory Planner

What is in the Inventory Planner job description?

As an inventory planner you’ll be responsible for the purchasing and inventory control of finished goods and raw materials, ensuring the highest possible service level to customers. You’ll be managing suppliers to ensure the right goods and services are in stock at the right time.

What will be your responsibilities?

An inventory planner responsibilities broadly consist of the following things:

Managing inventory to meet service level need.
Reviewing stock holding levels.
Minimising the costs of handling the goods at various points in the supply chain.
Maintain targets including excess stock, slow moving and obsolete and reduction in stock.
Understanding purchase order management tools and reports to make informed and appropriate purchasing decisions.
Manage the order process through to delivery whilst identifying potential product shortages and resolve with appropriate techniques
Review purchase order backlogs and update any ETA changes.
Act against PO discrepancies and variances.
Update and maintain the ERP systems.
Logistical coordination of packed items

The CIPS Digital Academy

The CIPS Digital Academy provides access to learning programmes in procurement and supply. It enables your organisation to develop consistency in knowledge and skills and helps to reduce supply chain risk throughout your organisation.

Find out more

What qualifications do you need?

If you’re looking to move into an inventory planner role, you’ll need to have the following qualifications and skills:

Experience in a similar role.
Advanced user of Microsoft software.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Highly numerate with an eye for detail and accuracy.
Problem solving, time management and prioritisation skills.
Strong organisational and prioritisation skills.
Self-motivated with the ability to work to deadlines.
Ability to work independently whilst being a team player.

CIPS Qualifications

To start your journey to become an inventory planner, the ideal starting point is the Level 3 Advanced Certificate or the Level 4 Diploma in Procurement and Supply.

Find out more about our qualifications

What does an Inventory Planner get paid?

In the UK, typically an Inventory Planner gets paid on average £28,712 based on the UK Salary Guide 2023.

An Inventory Planner sits in the Tactical level, and the breakdown is as follows:

Tactical

UK: £28,712
Australia: $104,722
New Zealand: $91,930
MENA: $40,205
South Africa: ZAR 283k
Sub-Saharan Africa: $26,642
North America: $59,934
Europe: €45,153

Salaries may increase if you are studying with CIPS or change sector. To find out more about the salaries of procurement and supply professionals let our salary calculator do the hard work for you.

Visit the Salary Calculator