Inventory Controller Job Description Template
Inventory controllers maintain stock accuracy across warehouses and retail locations - ensuring the right quantity of goods is available at the right time. India's organised retail and manufacturing sectors rely on inventory controllers to minimise stockouts and reduce carrying costs. Use our inventory controller job description template to attract detail-oriented inventory professionals for your operations. It covers key responsibilities, required skills, Indian education requirements, salary insights, and the selection process.
Job title:
Inventory Controller
Location:
Bengaluru, Karnataka (or city-specific warehouse / manufacturing plant)
Job type:
Full-time, Permanent
Reports to:
Inventory Manager / Warehouse Manager
Experience:
2-5 years
Employment type:
Permanent
About the role
We are looking for a meticulous Inventory Controller to manage stock accuracy across our warehouse network. You'll perform daily cycle counts, reconcile inventory discrepancies, coordinate with the procurement team for reorder planning, and generate inventory ageing reports. This role requires hands-on experience with Warehouse Management System (WMS) and ERP systems, strong Excel skills, and the ability to work with blue-collar warehouse teams.
About the company: - Established: 2009 - Employees: 12,000+ - Industry: Manufacturing / Retail Distribution - Certifications: ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001 - Presence: 35 manufacturing plants and 200+ distribution centres across India; headquarters in Pune - Known for: India's top 3 FMCG manufacturing and distribution company; portfolio includes 15+ brands across food, home care, and personal care categories
Inventory controller roles and responsibilities - Conduct daily cycle counts on high-value and fast-moving SKUs as per the cycle counting schedule - Reconcile inventory discrepancies between physical stock and Warehouse Management System (WMS) / ERP records - investigate root causes (picking errors, damage, theft, system misreporting) - Generate inventory ageing reports - identify slow-moving, excess, and obsolete stock for write-off or liquidation - Coordinate with the procurement team on reorder points (ROP), safety stock levels, and purchase requisitions - Monitor inbound receiving accuracy - verify quantity, SKU, and quality against purchase orders and goods receipt notes - Track and report inventory KPIs - stock accuracy percentage, inventory turnover ratio, days of inventory on hand - Manage return-to-vendor (RTV) process for damaged or rejected goods - documentation, QC, and dispatch - Maintain inventory dashboards in Excel or Power BI for weekly review with the plant / warehouse manager
Inventory controller qualifications and skills - Hands-on experience with WMS (SAP EWM, Oracle WMS, Manhattan, JDA, or proprietary systems) and ERP (SAP FICO / MM, Oracle EBS) - Advanced MS Excel - pivot tables, VLOOKUP, SUMIFS, data validation, conditional formatting for inventory reconciliation - Knowledge of inventory management principles - FIFO, FEFO, EOQ, ROP, safety stock, ABC and XYZ analysis - Analytical skills - ability to identify inventory trends, forecast demand patterns, and recommend stock adjustments - Attention to detail - zero tolerance for data entry errors in stock records and reconciliation reports - Communication skills in Hindi and English; ability to coordinate with blue-collar warehouse staff - Knowledge of Goods and Services Tax (GST) documentation related to stock transfers, inter-state movement, and e-way bills - Problem-solving ability - handling stock discrepancies, system errors, and variance investigations independently
Education and Experience Requirements - Degree: Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), BSc (any discipline); Master of Commerce (MCom) or Master of Business Administration (MBA) (Supply Chain / Operations) is preferred - Minimum 50% in graduation - 2-5 years of experience in inventory management, warehouse operations, or supply chain - Must have used at least one ERP system (SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics) for inventory transactions - Experience with high-SKU-count environments (5,000+ SKUs) is preferred - Certification in supply chain (CSCP, CPIM, or equivalent) is a plus
Inventory controller average salary
In India, Inventory Controllers with 2-5 years of experience earn ₹3-5.5 Lakhs Per Annum (LPA) Cost to Company (CTC) depending on city, company, and inventory volume managed. Manufacturing plants in Pune and Chennai pay ₹3-4.5 LPA. E-commerce warehouses in Bengaluru and Delhi NCR pay ₹4-5.5 LPA. Candidates with SAP MM experience command a premium of 15-20% over market average.
Source: Naukri Salary Index 2025-26; TeamLease Manufacturing Sector Report 2025; Randstad India Salary Trends 2025.
Benefits - CTC includes: Basic + HRA + shift allowance + performance bonus (quarterly, based on stock accuracy) - Statutory: Provident Fund (PF), Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) (if gross ≤₹21,000/month), Gratuity (payable after 5 years) - Additional: Group medical insurance (self + family), accidental insurance, annual bonus - Perks: Canteen / subsidised meals at plant location, cab facility for night shifts, mobile phone reimbursement - Growth path: Inventory Controller → Inventory Manager → Supply Chain Manager → Plant Operations Head
Other details - Probation period: 6 months - Notice period: 30 days - Immediate joiners preferred: Yes - Bond / Service agreement: None for inventory roles - Working days: 6 days a week (rotating week off) - Work mode: Work from Warehouse / Plant (on-site) - Shifts: General shift (8 AM-5 PM) or rotational shifts depending on warehouse operating hours; night shifts during peak sale periods - Relocation support: Not provided; local candidates preferred
Selection process
1. Resume screening: Based on inventory management experience, ERP/WMS proficiency, and SKU volume handled
2. Telephonic interview: 10-minute call to confirm experience, shift flexibility, and notice period
3. Personal interview: 45-minute interview with Inventory Manager covering cycle counting methodology, reconciliation approach, and ERP transaction knowledge
4. Practical assessment: 30-minute MS Excel test (pivot table, VLOOKUP, inventory ageing analysis) and ERP transaction walkthrough (SAP MM or equivalent)
5. HR interview: Salary fitment, joining date, and documentation requirements
6. Background verification: Previous employment check, educational verification
7. Offer rollout
How to apply - Platform: Apply through Naukri, LinkedIn, TeamLease, or the company's careers portal - Documents: Resume, educational certificates, previous employment letters, ID proof (Aadhaar), salary slips (last 3 months) - Timeline: Applications reviewed within 5 working days; process completed within 2 weeks
Frequently asked questions
1. What does an Inventory Controller do in India?
An Inventory Controller maintains stock accuracy by conducting cycle counts, reconciling discrepancies between physical stock and system records, and generating inventory ageing reports. They coordinate with procurement for reorder planning and work with warehouse teams to minimise stockouts and excess inventory.
2. What qualifications do I need to become an Inventory Controller in India?
Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) or Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with 2-5 years of experience in inventory management. Hands-on WMS and ERP experience (SAP MM, Oracle WMS) is mandatory. Strong Excel skills are required. An Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Supply Chain or Master of Commerce (MCom) is preferred for senior roles.
3. What is the average salary of an Inventory Controller in India?
Inventory Controllers with 2-5 years earn ₹3-5.5 Lakhs Per Annum (LPA). E-commerce warehouses pay ₹4-5.5 LPA. SAP MM-certified professionals earn 15-20% more. Manufacturing plant roles typically pay ₹3-4.5 LPA.
4. How can I hire the right Inventory Controller in India?
Screen for hands-on ERP experience (not exposure) and include an Excel test covering pivot tables and VLOOKUP. Assess the candidate's cycle counting methodology and root cause analysis approach for inventory discrepancies. Experience with 5,000+ SKU environments is a strong indicator of scale readiness.