National Inventory Manager

Bauer Media Group; Manchester; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary DOE

Core Bonus Plan

Car Allowance or Company Car

Flexible working

25 days annual leave

Paid volunteering days

Pension Scheme matched

Healthcare Cash Plan

Life Insurance

Cycle to work scheme

Travel/Season ticket loans

Job summary

Bauer Media Group is seeking a National Inventory Manager based in Manchester. In this strategic role, you will take charge of inventory management across our operations, ensuring stock availability and optimizing costs.

Your responsibilities include leading demand forecasting, managing inventory systems, and developing effective stock strategies. Key qualifications include experience in multi-site inventory management, proficiency in ERP/SAP systems, and strong problem-solving skills. You’ll contribute significantly to improving operational efficiency.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in inventory management or supply chain leadership.
• Strong understanding of inventory planning and stock optimisation.
• Ability to interpret complex data and make informed decisions.
• Experience managing teams and developing individuals.

Responsibilities

• Lead demand forecasting and inventory planning.
• Develop and optimise inventory strategies.
• Own inventory management systems ensuring data accuracy.
• Manage inventory costs and identify opportunities for reduction.
• Oversee supplier arrangements and manage stock risks.
• Establish stock control procedures across multiple locations.
• Lead inventory audits and annual stock take.
• Develop inventory KPIs and provide insights to stakeholders.
• Build and lead a high-performing inventory team.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Inventory management

Supply chain leadership

Forecasting

Data analysis

SAP/ERP systems proficiency

Problem-solving

Tools

SAP

ERP systems

Job description

Bauer Media Outdoor is one of the UK’s leading Out of Home media owners and infrastructure companies, with more than 33,000 advertising sites in our portfolio. Our talented team of over 600+ people work in 14 locations across the country, creating and delivering some of the most memorable advertising campaigns in the UK.

We are committed to providingaPlatform for Brands and a Platform for Good. We’re transforming our estate and practices. We’re building a sustainable business that benefits our many public, partners, and advertiser stakeholders through the provision of ad-funded social infrastructure, digital innovation, and proactive efforts that benefit society.

The Bauer Media Outdoor Way helps us deliver more impact for advertisers, with more value for communities, and less impact on our planet.

About the Role

We’re looking for a National Inventory Manager to take ownership of inventory strategy, planning, and performance across Bauer Media Outdoors’s national operation.

Reporting to the Procurement and Supply Chain Director, you'll be responsible for ensuring stock is available where and when it's needed, whilst optimising inventory costs and driving operational efficiency. You'll work closely with teams across Operations, Construction, Procurement, and Supply Chain to forecast demand, manage stock levels, and improve inventory processes across multiple locations and third-party suppliers.

This is a highly strategic role with end-to-end accountability for inventory management, including stock control systems, forecasting, reporting, compliance, and team leadership. You'll act as the central authority for inventory decisions across the business, ensuring robust governance, accurate data, and a continuous focus on improvement.

What you’ll be doing

• Lead demand forecasting and inventory planning across the business, working closely with Operations, Construction, Sales, and Procurement teams to ensure stock availability meets operational requirements.
• Develop and optimise inventory strategies, including reorder points, safety stock levels, and supply planning processes to balance service levels and cost efficiency.
• Own inventory management systems and processes, ensuring accurate stock visibility, data integrity, and effective use of ERP and inventory management tools.
• Manage inventory costs and working capital, identifying opportunities to reduce excess stock while maintaining service levels.
• Oversee supplier and third-party stock arrangements, ensuring inventory records remain accurate and risks around obsolescence are effectively managed.
• Establish and maintain robust stock control procedures across multiple locations, subcontractors, and operational teams.
• Lead regular inventory audits and take ownership of the annual stock take process, ensuring compliance and accuracy across the network.
• Develop and monitor inventory KPIs, dashboards, and reporting, providing insights and recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Build, lead, and develop a high‑performing inventory team, creating clear accountability and supporting professional growth.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across inventory management, supply chain processes, and operational efficiency.

Who are you?

• Significant experience in inventory management, stock control, or supply chain leadership within a complex, multi‑site organisation.
• Strong understanding of inventory planning, forecasting, stock optimisation, and supply chain best practices.
• Experienced in using ERP, SAP, MRP, or similar inventory management systems.
• Commercially aware, with experience managing inventory costs, working capital, and operational performance.
• Analytical and data‑driven, with the ability to interpret complex information and make informed decisions.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills with a track record of improving processes and driving efficiencies.
• Strong attention to detail and a focus on data accuracy and governance.
• Confident communicator who can influence stakeholders and work collaboratively across multiple functions.
• Resilient, adaptable, and comfortable operating in a fast‑paced environment with changing priorities.
• Previous experience managing teams and developing high‑performing individuals.
• Willingness to travel regularly to sites across the UK.

What’s in it for you

We’re part of the Bauer Media Group, a multi‑business, family‑owned company that entertains, serves, and inspires over 200 million people. At Bauer Media Outdoor, we’re a mix of different people from different backgrounds, who come together every day to drive our business forward and create a culture that we’re so proud of. We’re a great place to do great work, for all.

• Salary DOE
• Participation in our Core Bonus Plan
• Car Allowance or Company Car
• Flexible working (generally looks like 3 days in our offices and 2 days at home)
• 25 days’ annual leave inc. bank holidays
• 2 paid volunteering days each year to support a charity or because that matters to you
• Company Pension Scheme matched at 5% or 8%
• Healthcare Cash Plan
• Life Insurance and group income protection scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Travel/Season ticket loans and a whole host of discounts across 100s of retailers

At Bauer Media Outdoor, we are committed to treating everyone with fairness and respect, regardless of their race, gender, age, ethnicity, background, sexual orientation, disability, or any other differences. We work hard to foster an inclusive environment, a place you can be yourself. We support reasonable adjustment requests from candidates and employees.