Inventory Manager

Job Summary:

Inventory role will be responsible for overseeing end-to-end inventory operations from the central level, ensuring process adherence, reducing inventory discrepancies, and driving inventory metrics across multiple regions. This role involves strategic planning, process standardization, and stakeholder coordination to improve inventory accuracy, reduce write-offs, and enhance operational efficiency by delivering industry-best fill rates.

One of the primary responsibilities is to identify risks, errors in inventory transactions, and any mismanagement at an early stage and implement corrective actions. This oversight extends to all business units and lines of business under his or her purview.

Key Responsibilities:

• Inventory Monitoring & Control:

• Oversee all incoming and outgoing stock across central and regional locations.
• Maintain real-time tracking of stock levels, ensuring periodic stock audits for all business functions.
• Ensure compliance with planograms, adjusting stock placement as per business requirements.
• Conduct inventory audits, reconciliations, and MIS reporting for management review.
• Monitor TO/TI reconciliations with strong control over Goods in Transit.
• Ensure perpetual inventory tracking across all lines of business (LOBs).

• Operational Efficiency & Risk Management:

• Identify and mitigate risks related to inventory discrepancies, mismanagement, and transaction errors.
• Drive reduction in damages, expiries, pilferage, and shrinkage levels across all business units.
• Implement fraud assessments and compliance audits to ensure adherence to inventory control measures.
• Conduct weekly and monthly stock checks to maintain inventory accuracy.
• Ensure overall control and accountability for DC & Store inventories

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• Team Leadership & Process Optimization:

• Supervise and lead up to 100 staff members, conducting evaluations and training programs.
• Interview and onboard new employees, ensuring skill development for inventory processes.
• Conduct regular review meetings with regional inventory managers to audit and improve processes.
• Mentor regional teams in receipting, restocking, documentation, and inventory management best practices.

• Reporting & Data-Driven Decision Making:

• Maintain accurate stock movement records and delivery reports in the database.
• Prepare and present daily, weekly, and monthly reports for management and external stakeholders.
• Develop and deliver presentations and insights to improve inventory control strategies.
• Ensure location-wise asset ownership, including reconciliation and periodic verification.

• Stakeholder Coordination:

• Collaborate with SCM heads, Finance, and regional inventory teams to ensure seamless inventory processes.
• Address inventory-related queries from finance, regional teams, and store managers regarding discrepancies.
• Work with technology teams to improve system synchronization, tracking, and SKU classification.
• Facilitate onboarding and training of new inventory managers to maintain process uniformity across regions

Key Skills & Requirements:

• Proven experience in inventory management, auditing, and supply chain operations.
• Strong analytical skills with a focus on process optimization and risk mitigation.
• Experience in managing large teams and mentoring regional inventory staff.
• Ability to drive compliance, fraud prevention, and stock control initiatives.
• Proficiency in inventory tracking systems, ERP software, and data analysis tools.
• Strong understanding of goods in transit, TO/TI reconciliation, and warehouse operations.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.