About the role
Please note: This position is on-site at our US Distribution facilities in Lebanon, IN.
SUMMARY: The Inventory Manager leads the organization's inventory integrity function, overseeing both internal operations and coordination with external warehouse partners. This role directs a team of analysts and clerks responsible for daily reconciliation, cycle counts, and month-end reporting to leadership and clients, while ensuring accuracy across the perpetual inventory system. The Inventory Manager oversees analysts who monitor and addresses excess and obsolete inventory, partnering with publishers on reduction strategies, and oversees processes including overstock/remainder orders, donations, destructions, and returns disposition. This position is responsible for staff leadership-including training and performance evaluation-and serves as a liaison with outside vendors and auditors that handle physical inventory. This position is a key contributor who will partner with the operations management team in maximizing operational performance and efficiencies.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Accountable for the perpetual inventory integrity, both internally and at external warehouses.
2. Directs staff in managing inventory reconciliations; including daily audits, verifying daily entries and activities, monitoring and communicating inventory adjustments.
3. Directs staff responsible for month end reporting to HBG and clients
4. Responsible for monitoring and reporting excess inventory
5. Oversee obsolescence review and working with publishers in reduction.
6. Oversee the creation of overstock/remainder and donation orders.
7. Review and reconcile inventory discrepancies and monitor internal accuracy.
8. Responsible for reconciling inventory balances at external warehouses
9. Communicate and monitor quality issues for other internal departments.
10. Oversee the Return Center monthly changes to coordinate product movement and closeouts.
11. Coordinate daily cycle count activity.
12. Oversee the Marketing inventory within the WMS.
13. Oversee Destroy processing
14. Oversee reservation management
15. Act as liaison with other operating units of company and distributees.
16. Oversee Returns Ranking and putaway coding
17. Direct and manage staff; including training and performance evaluation.
18. Responsible for yearly physical inventory coordination.
ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: As assigned
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Inventory Control Supervisors and Sr. Inventory Analyst
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
SKILLS REQUIRED
• Strong technical and analytical abilities; familiarity with warehouse management systems, PCs and software aptitude.
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written) with the aptitude to communicate effectively in both individual and group settings regardless of audience
• Must be results driven, and take appropriate steps to achieve goals while taking ownership of situations as needed
• Proven ability to deliver timely, accurate work product and demonstrate good follow up and follow through
• Drives change and innovation by improving work product or process , and challenges established norms where appropriate
• Proven ability to build supportive and constructive relationships within and outside of the organization; takes the lead in inspiring others to work together for mutual benefit
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to multi-task, prioritize and manage time effectively while also ensuring accuracy of work through attention to detail
• Operates ethically: admits mistakes, treats others with respect, trust, and dignity, demonstrates honest and ethical behavior, and follows through on commitments and agreements
• Must be able to provide guidance and feedback to direct reports, peers and associates; empowers team by delegating decision making when appropriate and creates practices, processes and procedures that result in greater efficiency
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:Equivalent to at least a 4 year college or university and 5-8 years managerial experience in an Inventory Control environment.
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