Inventory Control Manager - Warehouse & Distribution

Rhenus Logistics; Kitchener; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Continuous training

Great team

Flat hierarchies

Room for innovation

Team events

Fast decision processes

Job summary

Rhenus Logistics is seeking an Inventory Control Manager to lead our warehouse inventory control activities, emphasizing accuracy, data analysis, and continuous improvement. You will guide a small team, drive root-cause analysis, and partner with Operations to align strategies with customer commitments.

The role focuses on optimizing space, slotting, and process improvements to ensure high inventory accuracy and efficient operations.

Qualifications

• 5–10 years in logistics or warehouse operations with inventory focus.
• Experience in inventory analysis, discrepancy investigation and process improvement.
• Ability to translate data into operational improvements.
• Experience with slotting, space optimization and product flow improvements.
• Leadership experience coaching a team of 4–6 employees.
• Strong communication with customers and internal stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage day-to-day inventory control activities, including cycle counting, accuracy, and discrepancy resolution.
• Analyze inventory data to identify trends, root causes, inefficiencies and improvement opportunities.
• Develop and implement inventory optimization and slotting strategies to maximize space and product flow.
• Evaluate facility inventory to improve storage, movement and overall performance.
• Establish and maintain inventory control processes and SOPs where gaps exist.
• Lead a team of 4–6 employees with coaching and accountability.
• Collaborate with Operations leadership to align inventory with objectives.
• Prepare and analyze inventory reports and KPIs, including accuracy and corrective actions.
• Maintain accuracy levels per customer requirements and KPIs.
• Act as a key contact for customers on inventory performance and discrepancies.
• Participate in customer calls to communicate findings and solutions.
• Investigate discrepancies to develop sustainable corrective actions.
• Identify bottlenecks and implement data-driven improvements.
• Partner with Engineering on layout and optimization initiatives.
• Utilize inventory systems and reporting tools for decision-making.
• Support annual inventories and audits.

Skills

Inventory control

Leadership

Data analysis

Root-cause analysis

Excel

Communication

Problem solving

Independent work

Lean Six Sigma

Prioritization

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain/Logistics or related field

Equivalent relevant experience considered

Tools

Blue Yonder

Manhattan

RedPrairie

Job description

The Rhenus Group is one of the leading logistics service providers operating worldwide. We offer tailor-made solutions along the entire supply chain for companies from a wide diversity of industries. From multimodal transports to perfect warehousing, from smooth customs clearance to innovative value-added services: We always keep our pulse on the times and are at our customers' side.

What you will be doing

The Inventory Control Manager is responsible for leading inventory control activities within our warehouse operations, with a strong focus on inventory accuracy, data analysis, process improvement, warehouse flow, and operational efficiency.

This is a hands-on leadership role for an experienced inventory professional who understands that effective inventory management goes beyond cycle counting. The successful candidate will analyze inventory as it sits within the facility, identify root causes and inefficiencies, optimize space and slotting strategies, and develop processes that enable the warehouse operation to run more efficiently.

The Inventory Control Manager will also work closely with Operations leadership and customers, providing meaningful inventory insights, addressing discrepancies, and developing solutions to maintain the high levels of accuracy required by our contractual commitments.

You will be contributing to that vision by…

• Lead and manage day-to-day inventory control activities, including cycle counting, inventory accuracy, reconciliation, investigation and resolution of discrepancies.
• Analyze inventory data and warehouse activity to identify trends, root causes, inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement.
• Develop and implement inventory optimization and slotting strategies to maximize warehouse space, improve product flow and support more efficient operations.
• Evaluate inventory across the facility and identify opportunities to improve storage, organization, movement and overall warehouse performance.
• Establish, improve and maintain inventory control processes, procedures and SOPs where gaps currently exist.
• Lead and develop a team of approximately 4-6 employees, providing direction, coaching and accountability.
• Work closely with Operations leadership, including warehouse supervisors and managers, to align inventory strategies with overall operational objectives.
• Prepare and analyze inventory reports and KPIs, including inventory accuracy, discrepancies, root causes and corrective actions.
• Maintain inventory accuracy levels in accordance with customer requirements and contractual KPIs, including highly demanding accuracy targets.
• Act as a key point of contact for customers regarding inventory performance, discrepancies, investigations and corrective actions.
• Participate in customer calls and communicate inventory findings, recommendations and solutions clearly and professionally.
• Investigate inventory discrepancies and develop sustainable corrective actions rather than simply resolving individual issues.
• Identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies within warehouse inventory processes and implement practical, data-driven solutions.
• Partner with Engineering and other cross-functional teams on warehouse layout, process and inventory optimization initiatives.
• Utilize inventory management systems and reporting tools to support analysis and decision-making.
• Support annual physical inventories, four-wall audits and other inventory-related customer requirements.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, safety requirements and applicable inventory-handling procedures.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What skills & experience you will bring to us

• Demonstrated experience managing or supervising an inventory team or warehouse employees.
• 5-10 years of experience in logistics or warehouse operations, with strong experience in inventory control, optimization, and root-cause analysis.
• Strong understanding of warehouse inventory management beyond physical cycle counting, including inventory analysis, discrepancy investigation, root-cause analysis and process improvement.
• Proven ability to analyze inventory and warehouse data and translate findings into practical operational improvements.
• Experience developing or implementing slotting strategies, warehouse space optimization, inventory organization or material flow improvements is strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of warehouse processes and how inventory management impacts inbound, outbound and overall facility operations.
• Experience working directly with customers or internal stakeholders on inventory performance, discrepancies and service requirements.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify root causes and develop sustainable solutions.
• Demonstrated leadership ability with experience coaching, directing and developing a team.
• Proficiency with inventory management systems and Microsoft Excel; experience with Blue Yonder, Manhattan or RedPrairie is an asset.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with warehouse teams, operations leadership and customers.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize competing demands and make sound operational decisions.
• Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, ISO 9001 or other continuous improvement methodologies is an asset.
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration or a related field is preferred; equivalent relevant experience will be considered.
• Willingness to work occasional additional hours based on operational requirements, including scheduled weekend inventory activities.

What You can expect

• Continuous Training: Sharpen your skills and advance your expertise with our professional development programs.
• Great Team: It's truly the people that make the difference - and with us you'll join the best team around.
• Flat Hierarchies: Get straight through to the decision-makers with our streamlined organizational structure.
• Room for Innovation: Turn your ideas into action in an environment that champions creativity and empowers you to lead change.
• Events: From team outings to holiday parties and networking events, we build strong connections by spending quality time together.
• Quick Decision Processes: Make things happen faster with streamlined processes that promote efficiency and effectiveness.