National Inventory Manager

The National Inventory Manager works with the Sr Director, Fulfillment to develop and execute inventory goals and initiatives that contribute to achieving the broader operational goals. To achieve these goals, the National Inventory Manager works cross functionally to design, implement, and continuously improve tools and processes and within the Inventory team to improve performance against key metrics. The National Inventory Manager provides corporate oversight to the Inventory teams in each plant, which are responsible for assigning product to storage locations, managing daily, weekly, and monthly inventories, and overseeing the annual external audit procedures. The Inventory manager is the liaison for finance and operations ensuring all transactions affecting our company’s inventory have been thoroughly researched and processed to bring the most accurate accounting.

• Works with local teams, ops tech, and operations excellence to create and maintain WMS to track product flow through the entire process upon arrival to plants
• Oversees and ensures accuracy of the EOW and EOM inventories working directly with local inventory teams, procurement excellence, IT, and corporate finance team
• Partners with ops tech and digital SWAT to provide and maintain the tools that are comprehensive and easy to use for local inventory teams
• Controls key inventory deviations and drive necessary actions for inventory variation +/- $5K or 50% of product on a weekly basis
• Develops process audit for continuous improvement of inventory accuracy and storage organization
• Develops SOPs, drives standardization and alignment amongst the network where possible and facilitates accountability through auditing for SOP compliance
• Establishes KPIs for successful execution of inventory functions and accuracy of counts
• Ensures plant stakeholders are being provided with necessary support and information to manage product supply and production planning
• Provides structure for plant routines and meetings regarding inventory variances
• Facilitates corporate initiatives to drive down food costs

• Conduct thorough analysis of aging inventory across all product lines, identifying obsolete, slow-moving, and excess stock
• Work with Supply Chain and Marketing to devise and implement strategies to reduce aging inventory levels, including but not limited to promotions, liquidations, re-menuing, and re-marketing efforts
• Help root cause key aging inventory drivers (forecast, overbuy, MOQ) and partner with cross-functional teams to reduce future issues
• Work with local teams to ensure FEFO and proper rotations are followed
• Reporting and Analysis: Generate regular reports on aging inventory status, trends, and progress towards reduction goals. Utilize data-driven insights to make informed decisions and adjustments to strategies.

• Understands OSHA rules and regulations and leads plant inventory team to managing compliance
• Puts practices into place that ensure workplace safety for all receiving and inventory team members
• Escalates safety issues to facility safety leader and plant management

• Sets “Customer First” standard for team to follow
• Sets high standards for team performance by communicating expectations and measurable standards for achievement
• Works with training team to develop work instructions for use of specified tasks for team
• Develops inventory leadership via training and performance feedback
• Collaborates in formal performance reviews
• Conducts meetings with teams to facilitate idea sharing and continuous improvement of processes
• Manages conflict between teams as necessary
• Works with operations excellence team to develop staffing needs and leads teams to manage to established budget and review as needed based on additional complexity as business grows
• Advocates for local teams’ needs to ensure they are equipped for success with tools, equipment, and staffing

• Completion of a four-year degree program in a related field
• 3+ years of warehouse experience as a manager, analyst, or consultant
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Suite: Scripts, Mail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Hangouts
• Computer proficiency to execute transactions and enter counts/corrections required
• Ability to use handheld data logging equipment required
• 5S and lean manufacturing principles are highly desired.
• Must obtain food product knowledge; understand various food ingredients and their substitutes

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance – benefits start the 1st day of the month following your start date
• Company-paid Life Insurance, Short Term Disability, and Long Term Disability
• 401(k) Employer match
• Flexible spending accounts (FSA) for qualified Medical, Dependent Care, Parking, or Transit expenses
• Flexible paid time off (PTO) policy, holidays and sick time
• Generous Parental Leave
• State-of-the-art office in the historic Old Post Office building in downtown Chicago, close to multiple Metra and CTA options, and amenities such as a food court, onsite gym, and communal rooftop space
• Discounts on Home Chef meal kits and at Kroger stores
• Casual dress in a fun, friendly, and collaborative work environment