Cycle counting is a common practice in logistics that counts a subset of items in a warehouse each day. This allows a manager to discover incorrect inventory records on an ongoing basis instead of waiting for an annual or quarterly count. Candidates for this position should be able to define cycle counting and offer a rationale like keeping high-value inventory item counts accurate at all times. What to look for in an answer:

• Knowledge of cycle counting
• Inventory management strategies
• Ability to explain technical details

ABC analysis is another inventory management tool used to segment the inventory that a business uses every year into priority levels. It’s common that companies will use certain items often while the majority of items sit in bins most of the year. The ABC system helps managers identify which items they should monitor closely, either because they are more likely to need reordering or because they represent the highest value. What to look for in an answer:

• Knowledge of ABC analysis
• Knowledge of best logistics practices
• Ability to relate theory to real-world situations

An inventory manager does more than monitor inventory levels from week to week. They also need to plan reorder points and create purchasing budgets for the company’s management team. Each inventory manager will have specific strategies to do this as accurately as possible. A candidate should be able to articulate what they consider to be best practices. Asking this question will give you a chance to evaluate their problem-solving skills. What to look for in an answer:

• Knowledge of reporting requirements
• Experience with inventory management
• Problem-solving skills

The day-to-day challenge of inventory management is maintaining accurate records so that items that are low or out-of-stock are reordered in a timely manner. Not having an item in stock when it’s needed leads to delays in production or deliveries to customers. A candidate should come prepared to discuss how they prevent out-of-stock situations from taking place. An experienced manager will have plenty of examples to share. What to look for in an answer:

• Problem-solving skills
• Experience with day-to-day management issues
• Emphasis on customer satisfaction

The inventory manager is the person with the most interest in finding ways to improve how their records and warehouse are maintained. Asking this question can be especially relevant if your company is making an effort to improve its inventory system and looking for a manager to tackle on-going problems. Candidates should have specific examples ready to discuss and indicate concrete results that their improvements made possible. What to look for in an answer:

• Past experience with logistics process improvements
• Ability to relate experience to current challenges
• Example of a problem solved

Inventory managers are responsible for ensuring warehouses maintain adequate supplies or products for their employers. Due to delays in shipments and other factors, inventory managers need to be able to react quickly. This question allows interviewers to gauge a candidate's innovative mindset and ability to adapt to maintain a functioning inventory warehouse.

A candidate's answer should emphasize:

• Creative thinking skills
• Verbal communication
• Ability to remain calm under pressure

Here is one example of a quality candidate answer: