Inventory Specialist

We're looking for people who:	are active and keep precise records.
What you will do:	You will ensure that adequate levels of product inventory are maintained in accordance with company standards. You will receive, store, and issue merchandise from a warehouse to a place where customers can purchase the products. Some specific tasks you will be asked to complete include: Loading and unloading of products from delivery vehicles Organizing storage of merchandise for ease of distribution Maintaining a daily audit of goods received and dispersed Ordering products as needed to maintain their availability Some operation of forklift and other warehouse vehicles General maintenance of warehouse facility
Knowledge required for this job:	Understanding the principles of good business practices involving the coordination of people and resources Understanding and satisfying customer needs Understanding the production process to anticipate delays and deal with issues like damaged goods, back orders, etc. Knowledge of mathematical principles and their application in inventory record-keeping Good written and oral communication skills
Skills required for this job:	Ability to understand written documents and convey information to others Good active listening and interpersonal communication skills Mathematical problem solving skills and the ability to maintain records of warehouse activity Being able to use computer record-keeping software to track product flows and create reports for management
What education you need:	Most inventory specialists' positions do not require a college degree. About three-fifths (62.9%) of people ages 25-44 who currently hold this kind of job have a high school degree or lower. An additional 28.7% have had some college experience. Only 8.9% have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Salary:	Nationally, people working in this job earn between $6.97 and $16.44 an hour. In Maryland, the pay scale ranges from $7.25 - $17.32 an hour. (Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) 2007)
Future job prospects	Nationally, inventory specialists' jobs are expected to decrease from 1,565,900 positions in 2004 to 1,451,100 in 2014. (- 7%) In Maryland, jobs numbers are expected to decrease as well, with 30,080 positions in 2004 and 28,490 in 2014. (- 5%)