Retail Inventory Manager

About the role

This role provides strategic oversight of inventory control processes, physical inventory programs, inventory reconciliations, inventory reporting, and internal controls to support accurate financial reporting, SOX compliance, and audit readiness. The Manager partners cross-functionally with Retail Operations, Distribution, Accounting, Information Technology, Store Management, and Loss Prevention to identify and resolve inventory discrepancies, strengthen inventory governance, improve operational efficiency, reduce shrink, and implement process and system enhancements that support sound inventory management and business performance.

Responsibilities

• Prepare month-end inventory journal entries and account reconciliations, and research and resolve discrepancies between inventory systems and the general ledger.
• Review, approve, and process inventory adjustments while investigating variances and coordinating corrective actions with Retail Operations and Loss Prevention.
• Provide ad hoc analysis and reporting to support inventory discrepancy investigations, financial reporting, bank reporting, and audit requests.
• Analyze and resolve shipping, receiving, and store-to-store transfer discrepancies in partnership with Distribution Center, eCommerce Warehouse, and store management.
• Monitor inventory transactions, negative on-hand inventory, quantities, costs, and retail values to identify and resolve discrepancies, ensure data integrity and transaction accuracy, and support accurate financial reporting across retail and distribution operations.
• Develop, maintain, and communicate inventory control policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and best practices, while providing guidance to Retail Operations and Distribution Center leadership to ensure consistent execution of inventory processes, KWI procedures, and operational compliance.
• Lead inventory compliance and continuous improvement initiatives by conducting interim audits, evaluating inventory control effectiveness, implementing corrective actions, and driving process improvements, system enhancements, and internal controls to strengthen inventory accuracy, operational efficiency, SOX compliance, and audit readiness.
• Plan, coordinate, and oversee company physical inventories, including preparing inventory instructions, coordinating with third-party inventory service providers, investigating variances, processing inventory adjustments, and delivering post-inventory analysis and reporting.
• Analyze physical inventory and cycle count results, prepare reporting for store leadership and executives, identify high-risk locations, and partner with Retail Operations and Loss Prevention to implement corrective actions that improve inventory accuracy.
• Demonstrate a high degree of professionalism in communication, attitude, and teamwork with customers, peers, and management.
• Adhere to all Company Policies & Procedures, Safety Regulations, and local, state, and federal laws.
• Perform additional responsibilities assigned by supervisor related to your position/department.
• Travel less than 20% as necessary.
• Be flexible and willing to work extended hours when necessary.
• Model the “St. John Way.”

Requirements

• 3+ years of inventory control experience.
• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in accounting, finance, or business, or equivalent work experience in inventory control.
• Some accounting experience.
• Excellent MS Office skills, particularly in Excel and Word.