Stock Controller: Job Profile and Role

As an avid online or real-life shopper, you probably know that goods and products do not just magically appear or are “just” available whenever you want them – although easy availability should always be a given, especially for a company that wants to uphold its professional image. This is where a stock controller comes in. A stock controller is responsible for ensuring a sufficient stock level. This means that he or she needs to always be aware when items are running low and need to be replaced.

The following blog will take a look at other things that define the job of a stock controller. After giving you a first idea of the expected annual salaries, we will look at the required qualifications and skills. We will also look at the potential employers, a stock controller’s career path and a stock controller’s working day. Lastly, we will give you some valuable tips for thriving as a stock controller.

Short Summary

• As a stock controller, you are responsible for ordering new stock and replenishing gaps in your stock shelves.
• As a stock controller, you are in charge of inventory management. This way, you see which stock is running low and needs restocking and which stock is sufficiently on hand.
• As a stock controller, you are tasked with controlling the quality of the stock. You need to check for possible damages and flaws. Potential issues then need to be reported and filed.

Job description

A stock controller is charged with overseeing a company’s stock levels. This includes inventory management, restocking items that are running low, and monitoring stock movements. A stock controller also needs to be attentive to details and changes. This skill helps a stock manager to forecast potential disruptions and detect discrepancies which can then be avoided in the future. A stock controller also needs to work with other departments and suppliers, thus ensuring both a smooth workflow and beneficial deals for the company.

Responsibilities

• Forecasting/Demand Planning
• Ordering and Replenishment
• Inventory Management
• Supplier Relationship
• Loss Prevention
• Stock Reporting
• Stock Accuracy
• Quality Control
• Stock Rotation
• Stock Tracking

Different types of Stock Controllers

• Retail Stock Controller
• Wholesale Stock Controller
• Warehouse Stock Controller
• E-Commerce Stock Controller
• Manufacturing Stock Controller

Salary

Stock controllers in the UK can expect annual salaries ranging from £21,000 to £29,000. The annual salary can also be as high as £40,000. Salary-affecting factors are the location, the employer, the employer’s company size and the level of work experience.

Working hours

Full-time stock controllers typically work a 9 to 5 job, Monday through Friday. This depends on the company a stock controller works for. If the company has fixed office hours, the given working hours usually apply. It is different if a stock controller works for a company that operates 24/7. Here, shift work is likely. This means that a stock controller needs to be flexible and comfortable with working days and nights. This also means that a stock controller should take disrupted sleeping patterns and their consequences into consideration.

Also, note that an “average” stock controller’s weekly working hours can increase during busy times of the year, such as the festive season.

Employers

Stock controllers are employed by any company that has a warehouse and, therefore, stock. Stock controllers can find employment in startups, small and medium-sized businesses, or large companies. The potential sectors can include everything from retail to wholesale and e-commerce and much more.

Typical Questions that are asked in a Stock Controller Job Interview

When you are invited to a job interview as a future stock controller, there is a certain set of questions that you will be asked. Generally, these questions can be divided into three categories: general interview questions, experience and background questions, and in-depth questions. These can include questions about your skills and qualifications, your career ambitions, and your approaches to different stock control scenarios.

Qualifications

To become a stock controller, you do not need specific educational qualifications. Note, however, that most companies prefer candidates who have completed an appropriate apprenticeship. Regardless of your approach to becoming a stock controller, you should also keep in mind that you will need GCSEs and the appropriate grades. These usually are grades 3, 2, or 1 and D, E, F, and G, respectively. The relevant subjects should include English and Maths. A-Levels are not a requirement to become a stock controller.

Also, note that further certifications can be a sensible idea to improve your career prospects. Appropriate certifications are supply chain management or inventory control, to name but a few. Being familiar with stock-controlling software is another good idea. This can include Zoho Inventory, Fishbowl, and Flowtrack.

Skills

As a stock controller, you should have strong mathematical skills which help you to do stock counts and inventories. Furthermore, you should have strong attention to detail skills. This way, even the most minuscule detail will not escape your eagle eyes. Do you want to know which other skills a stock controller should have or develop? Continue reading and you will find out.

In this section, we take a close look at three valuable skills a stock controller should have.

Teamwork Skills

As a stock controller, you are mainly in charge of your warehouse and the stored goods. However, this does not mean that you do not need to work closely with other departments, for example, the supply department. Strong teamwork skills are therefore mandatory if you want to become a good and successful stock controller.

Problem-Solving Skills

As is the case with almost every job, there can always be problems that need dealing with. This also applies to the job of a stock controller. Maybe there is a delay in the supply chain? Or a certain product is out of stock and there are no guarantees that it will be re-stocked? These are only two possible scenarios that require strong problem-solving skills from a stock controller, making these skills important for this profession.

Analytical Thinking Skills

Strong analytical thinking skills help a stock controller to read and understand the relevant market data and trends. Knowing these helps a stock controller do detect inefficiencies and issues related to stock control, ranging from the stock control process and disruptions in the supply chain. Knowledge of the relevant data also ensures that a stock controller can apply the necessary improvements.

Career Path

You generally start your career path as a stock control assistant or an assistant in a similar field. With several years of work experience, you advance to the position of a stock controller. This position gives you the option to further climb the career ladder. Possible promotions can include the job of a senior stock controller, stock supervisor, stock manager, logistics manager, or retail buyer.

Educational Background

Becoming a stock controller does not require a specific academic education, even though you might want to think about completing an appropriate apprenticeship. This can improve your job prospects. Always keep in mind that your approach to this job makes GCSEs mandatory, including the appropriate grades (3, 2, 1 or D, E, F, G) and subjects, such as English and Maths. A-Levels, on the other hand, are not a requirement.

Entry Level

Your entry-level position to become a future stock controller will likely be the job of a stock control assistant. By gaining work experience, you can then advance to the position of a stock controller. After that, further promotions are possible, including the job of a senior stock controller.

Continuous Learning

Controlling stock is way more than “just” counting products and detailing how much of a respective product is available. What used to be a manual job has now been changed by the rise of digital inventory tools which a stock controller should be familiar and comfortable with. Learning about new software is part of your continuous learning as a stock controller. You should also always strive to improve your skills and qualifications.

A Day in the Life of a Stock Controller

Checking your company’s stock and making sure it is shipshape are two daily tasks that await you as a stock controller. You are sure that there is more to the working day of a stock controller? Well, you are right about that. To cut a potentially long story short, here are three typical tasks that shape a day in the life of a stock controller.

Order Processing

After you have done your inventory assessment where you have checked the current stock levels and noted possible stock gaps, you turn your mind to the order processing. Here, you check which purchase and sales orders are pending and which orders/stock needs to be allocated to which customer. Order processing also involves placing orders for stock that needs to be replenished.

Stock Monitoring

To keep on top of your company’s stock, you need to know how it moves. This may sound a bit strange, but actually is not. During the day, goods will be sold and sent out, meaning that stock numbers will change and sometimes can even mean a stockout. By using the relevant inventory software, you can keep track of your stock movements. This software enables you to intervene when necessary and to both reallocate stock and expedite orders.

Stock Organisation

Even in small warehouses, easy access and a clear stocking system are vital for smooth workflows. Therefore, it is your job as a stock controller to make sure that each item of stock is properly labelled and stored. Ideally, storage and organisation also imply that all items of stock are stored in an easily accessible way, using as little space as possible.

Tips for Thriving as a Stock Controller

We assume that you are always interested in ways to improve your work performance as a stock controller. And do you know what? We also have tips for thriving as a stock controller, this way, making it easy for you to climb your career ladder. So, without much further ado, let’s take a look at three important tips that help you thrive in this profession:

• Update your records
• Establish your reorder points
• Be a budget management expert

Update your Records

It should go without saying that regular updates are vital if you want to stay on top of your stock. Your stock records should always be accurate, detailing the stock levels, their quantities and minutiae. Your updated stock records should also include the exact locations of the respective goods and products. If you keep to an updating regime, you avoid discrepancies and conflicts with your company. Therefore, updating your records is our first tip to thrive as a stock controller.

Establish your Reorder Points

Let’s assume that your company stocks at least one item that is an absolute bestseller. Now imagine the customers’ disappointment if said item is out of stock because you, as a stock controller, forgot to reorder it on time? The ensuing drama can easily be avoided if you adhere to our second tip for thriving as a stock controller: establishing reorder points. Based on an item’s sales history, you can time reorder dates. This way, you ensure that popular items are always available.

Be a Budget Management Expert

Typically, a stock controller works within a budget which is set by a retail manager, for example. This budget needs to be sufficient to buy stock at the most advantageous prices. As a stock controller, you therefore need to be a budget management whizz. Not only do you need to be able to work within your budget. You also should be able to broker the best deals with your suppliers. Being a budget management expert is our third tip for thriving as a stock controller.

Frequently Asked Questions