Stock managers keep track of and maintain inventory. They usually hold a bachelor's degree in management or business administration, but their schooling is also supplemented by experience in supply chain management or retail. The BLS is predicting a job decline through the 2029 for this profession, and stock managers in 2020 could expect to make more than $125,000 a year.
Essential Information
Stock managers maintain inventories of products and supplies for retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers. Individuals working as stock managers possess significant job experience and some education or training in management or business administration. Employment as a stock manager can usually be found with manufacturers, grocery stores and retail chains.
| Required Education | A bachelor's degree in management or business administration |
| Additional Requirements | Experience in supply chain management or retail |
| Projected Job Growth | 7% decline from 2019-2029 (purchasing managers, buyers and purchasing agents)* |
| Median Annual Salary (2020) | $125,940 (purchasing managers)* |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Stock Manager Job Description
The principal duty of a stock manager is to organize and monitor inventory levels to maximize efficiency. Stock managers must demonstrate skills, such as contract negotiation and organizational planning. This position is instrumental to the distribution of products in retail chains, and many stock managers assist with the training of employees to ensure a smooth process. Stock managers may schedule employee shifts as well as organize the shipment and reception of products.
A stock manager can be responsible for managing storage warehouses or delivering products to retail stores. Occasionally, stock managers may be in charge of purchasing products, though the selection of inventory items is generally left to other executive-level positions. In grocery stores and certain retail operations, stock managers lead efforts to refill store shelves and product displays.
Training Requirements for Stock Managers
To obtain employment as a stock manager, candidates must possess job experience in retail or supply chain management. Many employers prefer to hire individuals with undergraduate education in management or business administration. Classes for stock managers might include accounting, finance and organizational behavior. Candidates must be reliable, with a stable track record in inventory management and employee relations.
Career Information for Stock Managers
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) anticipated the number of available purchasing managers, in general, would decrease 7% from 2019 to 2029 (www.bls.gov). Advances in inventory management technologies were expected to lead to reductions in employment opportunities for stock managers, specifically, in grocery stores and other large operations. The median hourly wage of purchasing managers is substantially higher than the national average for all occupations, with a median hourly wage worth $60.55 in May 2020.
With a median salary of more than a $125,940 a year, becoming a stock manager can be a monetarily satisfying career choice. Stock managers maintain a businesses' supplies; they monitor, organize and control inventory levels to ensure maximum efficiency. They need a bachelor's degree in business administration or management, along with relevant experience.
