Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI) Manager

Dakota Supply Group (DSG) is seeking a Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI) Manager in our Twin Cities, MN branches. In this full time, hourly position, work is typically performed between the hours of 8am and 5pm, Monday through Friday, but may vary on occasion according to business needs. As a VMI Manager, you will be responsible for vendor-managed inventory (VMI) replenishment and minimizing out-of-stocks through outstanding collaboration, proactive order management, and strong customer engagement. You will make daily decisions to optimize service, cost, cash, and quality based upon customer requirements, and work directly with consigned customer(s), Sales, Finance, and other internal teams.

DSG is a people-centric, customer-obsessed, and growth-focused wholesale distributor. With over 130,000 (and growing!) products, not only are we one of the most diversified suppliers in the upper Midwest, we also have expertise in electrical, HVAC, plumbing, waterworks, utility, communications, and more! We have fun, we are friendly, and we embody a culture that genuinely cares for people far beyond their job title. Our purpose is to serve fellow employee owners, our partners, and communities toward building a better America, one job at a time. We are proud to be 100% employee owned, with an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) that gives our employee owners a unique opportunity to build their personal wealth in addition to a traditional retirement plan.

A Typical Day in the Life of a VMI Manager at DSG:

• Initiate and manage all consignment/VMI replenishment orders and disbursements.
• Perform the physical or administrative tasks involved in storing, distributing and order fulfillment of consigned products.
• Monitor and evaluate whether customer maintains appropriate inventory stock levels by conducting inventory (cycle) counts on consigned inventory weekly.
• Resolve inventory discrepancies and returns quickly and efficiently.
• Provide comprehensive support to the sales team, including managing customer master data, pricing, contracts & generating sales reports, and analyses.
• Analyze inventory consumption patterns to forecast supply & demand.
• Oversee the complete lifecycle of VMI contracts, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and adherence to terms.
• Ensure optimal & efficient utilization of business systems, acting as the interface between business & IT management. This includes proficiency in Eclipse & EDA for effective data management and reporting.
• Collaborate closely with Purchasing, IT and Finance teams to ensure streamlined operations and effective communication.
• Inspect customer site & assist in determining optimum storage layout. Recommend any changes in layout to customer and/or Outside Sales Account Manager as appropriate.
• Create crossover spreadsheets and bar-code labels at a branch location for VMI implementations using the most current process.
• Implement vendor managed inventory programs at customer locations to enhance revenue generation.
• Travel to VMI customer locations.
• Perform other duties as assigned or requested.

A Successful VMI Manager Typically Has:

• Knowledge of plumbing products and their applications; at least an understanding of, and the ability to identify fitting types & sizes.
• Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record, as required by DSG compliance standards.
• 2+ years of Customer Operations experience.
• A highly motivated, enthusiastic, and energetic personality; capable of working in a fast-paced environment.
• Understanding of logistics and inventory management concepts.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint) and web-based applications.
• Strong organization and planning skills.
• Confirmed analytical capabilities, strategic thought, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated written, verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Proven ability to build strong customer relationships and manage customer expectations.
• The ability to interface with internal and external Customers across various levels of the organization.
• The physical ability to consistently walk, lift, bend, stretch, and stand for long periods of time.
• The capability to lift & carry up to 50 lbs.; must have the ability to handle physical inventory that requires hand dexterity.
• The willingness to wear various forms of protective equipment (shoes, gloves, protective eyewear, etc.) as required.
• The stamina to work in extreme hot or cold and/or dusty environments as needed.

At DSG, We Offer Benefits Built for You:

• We are proudly 100% employee owned, which means your hard work and decisions directly benefit not only the success of the organization, but also your individual Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).
• We are highly committed to your training and development, offering personal and professional development opportunities and unlimited growth potential.
• We offer competitive compensation packages based on your experience and potential.
• You will receive generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and Extended Medical Leave (EML) allowances.
• Our comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision, also offers a multitude of other perks such as life insurance, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA), and Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contribution, among many others.
• You will have the opportunity to prepare for your future through multiple retirement savings opportunities, including a 401(k) with employer match and ESOP.
• You will receive a discounton all DSG-supplied products.
• We believe in giving back to our communities and hope that you will too, which is why we offer paid volunteer hours in addition to PTO.