New! No-hassle virtual interviewing free on Indeed

There's no software to download or meeting links for you to manage. Here's how it works.

Step 1

Post your job

Reach the world's largest pool of job seekers when you post on Indeed. As candidates apply, you can connect with them on the platform.

Step 2

Schedule a conversation

Our virtual interview experience is the default when you schedule time with your candidate.

Step 3

Connect with your candidate

When the candidate accepts your interview invite, you'll both get an email with a link to your video conference. Open the link to test your connection, and get started. It's that easy.

Get started

Inventory Manager Interview Questions

Post a Job
Are you a job seeker? Find jobs
  1. What is cycle counting and how would you use it in managing inventory? See answer
  2. What is ABC analysis, and how would you use it as an inventory manager? See answer
  3. How would you go about creating a forecast for a company’s inventory needs? See answer
  4. What’s an example of an inventory process improvement that you implemented, and what was its impact? See answer
  5. Your warehouse is full, but due to a scheduling error, no delivery trucks can collect inventory from the warehouse until the next day. You have additional shipments expected to arrive at the warehouse tonight. What do you do? See answer
  6. Can you provide an example of a time you discovered an inventory error? How did you correct it?
  7. Have you worked with Material Requirements Planning (MRP) systems? If so, what examples can you provide?
  8. In your previous role as an inventory manager, what types of roles did you hire for, train and oversee?
  9. You accidentally order more inventory of a product that you don’t actually need. What is the first thing you do? Are there any examples you can provide from your previous roles?
  10. How would you describe the professional relationship between an inventory manager and a logistics manager?
  11. Is there an example in your previous role where you were able to streamline one or more inventory processes? What were the results of your efforts?
  12. Do you know what EOQ stands for? How can it help companies save money?
  13. Can you provide me with examples of the types of mathematical equations or formulas you use on a daily basis as an inventory manager?
  14. Have you ever had an under-performing employee while working as an inventory manager? How did you address the situation and monitor their performance?
Show more questions Show fewer questions

6 Inventory Manager Interview Questions and Answers

Q:

What is cycle counting and how would you use it in managing inventory?

A:

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

Example:

“Cycle counting is counting a small amount of inventory every day to keep records up to date. I would use it to track items that are ordered often.”

Q:

What is ABC analysis, and how would you use it as an inventory manager?

A:

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

Example:

“ABC analysis is a way to group inventory items into different priorities for cycle counts. I use it to build my cycle count lists each quarter.”

Q:

How would you go about creating a forecast for a company’s inventory needs?

A:

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

Example:

“I prefer to base my forecasts on past ordering data and identify trends that are taking place in the short-term. Then I create my purchasing estimates based on that and sales projections.”

Q:

Give an example of a time you discovered an inventory error and how you corrected it.

A:

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

Example:

“I’ve seen all the common ways inventory errors can happen over the years and learned strategies that keep them from impacting customer needs.”

Q:

What’s an example of an inventory process improvement that you implemented, and what was its impact?

A:

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

Example:

“When I took over the inventory system at ABC Products, I created an efficient cycle count routine that hadn’t been attempted before, and out-of-stocks were eliminated in the first year.”

Q:

Your warehouse is full, but due to a scheduling error, no delivery trucks can collect inventory from the warehouse until the next day. You have additional shipments expected to arrive at the warehouse tonight. What do you do?

A:

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:

Example:

"The first thing I would do is call the logistics manager on shift. I would outline the problem and ask if there were any available warehouses to divert the shipments to. If not, I would contact a member of the sales staff to see if any retail locations were available to take on additional inventory. If both of these options fail, I would communicate with vendors to recall the products back to their location until I had enough space to accommodate them."

Post a Job
Are you a job seeker? Find jobs
Ready to get started? Post a Job

Explore Interview Questions by Title

A-C D-H I-L M-P Q-S T-Z
No search results found

    *Indeed provides this information as a courtesy to users of this site. Please note that we are not your career or legal advisor, and none of the information provided herein guarantees a job offer.