Inventory Control Manager

Position Summary

The Inventory Control Manager is responsible for leading the local inventory control function and ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and control of customer-owned inventory within the distribution center. This role is accountable for cycle count execution, variance investigation, shrink prevention, inventory reporting, audit readiness, and continuous improvement of inventory-related processes.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Lead the site inventory control function, including supervision of associates performing cycle counts, inventory audits, variance research, reconciliations, reporting, and related control activities.
• Own the local cycle count program and ensure counts are executed accurately, timely, and in accordance with established procedures.
• Lead regular inventory verification efforts, including scheduled cycle counts, targeted counts, event-driven counts, location audits, and special inventory validation projects.
• Ensure inventory records, physical locations, system balances, and exception reporting are actively monitored and reconciled.
• Manage the investigation, documentation, escalation, and resolution of inventory variances, including overages, shortages, mis-locations, damages, returns, blocked inventory, and other inventory exceptions.
• Maintain accurate records and supporting documentation to facilitate shortage detection, variance resolution, customer reporting, and audit support.
• Support annual physical inventory, baseline inventory, customer audits, external audits, and other formal inventory certification activities as required.
• Lead local efforts to identify, explain, reduce, and prevent inventory shrink. Perform structured root cause analysis on recurring inventory issues, including process gaps related to receiving, put-away, replenishment, picking, packing, shipping, returns, damages, quarantine, adjustments, and system transactions.
• Develop and maintain trend reporting to identify systemic inventory risks and recurring operational failure points. Partner with Operations leadership to implement corrective actions that reduce inventory defects and shrink exposure.
• Track corrective actions through completion and validate whether implemented changes are effective. Escalate unresolved or material inventory risks in a timely, clear, and fact-based manner.
• Partner with department functional managers to understand key projects, operational changes, customer requirements, workload impacts, and inventory risk areas. Drive process improvement through influence, data, and collaboration without direct authority over operational teams.
• Build strong working relationships with Operations leadership while maintaining appropriate independence and objectivity as the inventory control function. Communicate inventory risks, process gaps, and corrective action needs clearly and constructively. Facilitate cross-functional discussions to align on root cause, ownership, action plans, and expected outcomes.
• Serve as the local inventory control subject matter expert and a key advisor to site leadership. Partner regularly with the customer and internal stakeholders to review inventory control issues, support IMEI-level research, align on variance resolution, and drive timely closure of open inventory matters.
• Ensure inventory control procedures are documented, current, consistently followed, and aligned with customer requirements and internal control expectations. Create, maintain, and improve local procedures related to cycle counting, variance research, inventory adjustments, quarantine, returns, damaged inventory, reconciliation, and reporting.
• Support inventory-related controls, audit evidence retention, segregation of duties, adjustment approvals, and compliance with internal policies. Partner with Security to support loss prevention policies and procedures. Partner with IT/WMS support to identify system issues, transaction defects, reporting gaps, or workflow improvements impacting inventory accuracy.
• Ensure the site is prepared for customer, internal, external, SOX, SOC, or other inventory-related audits as applicable.
• Develop, maintain, and distribute accurate daily, weekly, and monthly inventory reporting. Ensure required reporting is completed accurately, on time, and with clear commentary explaining material issues, risks, and actions. Translate inventory data into meaningful operational insights for site leadership and customer-facing stakeholders.
• Communicate escalations, unresolved variances, control gaps, and shrink risks with urgency and clarity. Maintain clear documentation of inventory issues, findings, decisions, approvals, and corrective actions.
• Lead, coach, and develop inventory control associates to ensure consistent execution, high standards, and strong ownership of results. Establish clear priorities, daily expectations, performance standards, and follow-up routines for the IC team. Promote a culture of accuracy, accountability, curiosity, professionalism, and continuous improvement. Implement and document a succession plan for all IC team roles.
• Ensure IC associates are trained on applicable procedures, systems, controls, and escalation requirements. Hold the team accountable for execution while supporting problem-solving and capability development.

Required Skills and Experience

• Five or more years of inventory control, inventory management, warehouse operations, distribution, logistics, or related experience.
• Two or more years of supervisory or team leadership experience, or equivalent demonstrated leadership responsibility.
• Experience in a distribution center with high-volume and high value inventory, telecom, electronics, or similarly controlled inventory environment preferred.
• Prior WMS experience required; SAP, Extensiv, or other enterprise WMS/ERP experience preferred.
• Strong understanding of inventory control processes, cycle counting, variance research, adjustments, reconciliation, returns, damages, quarantine, and audit support.
• Demonstrated ability to perform root cause analysis and drive corrective action across functional areas.
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to interpret inventory data, identify trends, explain variances, and develop actionable reporting.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex inventory issues clearly to operational, senior leadership, and customer-facing audiences.
• Ability to influence cross-functional partners and drive process improvement without relying solely on positional authority.
• Strong process documentation, procedural discipline, and quality mindset.
• Ability to establish priorities, manage multiple workstreams, follow through on commitments, and operate effectively with limited day-to-day supervision.
• High attention to detail, sound judgment, and strong escalation discipline.
• SOX, SOC1/SOC2, ISO 9000, or other audit & control framework experience preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and inventory reporting tools required; experience with Power BI, Smartsheet, SQL, or similar tools preferred.

Key Attributes

• Self-motivated and highly accountable.
• Comfortable operating independently while keeping leadership appropriately informed.
• Strong ownership mindset with the ability to move work forward without constant direction.
• Objective, fact-based, and willing to challenge assumptions.
• Collaborative but appropriately assertive when inventory risk or control gaps exist.
• Professional demeanor in both written and verbal communications.
• Able to modulate communication style according to the audience and content.
• Able to build trust with Operations while maintaining IC independence.
• Curious, analytical, and persistent in resolving root causes.
• Calm under pressure and capable of managing sensitive inventory issues professionally.
• Continuous improvement oriented.
• Strong customer stewardship mindset.