Associate Manager, Inventory Management

Stryker Group; Heierhoeven; On-site; EUR 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Stryker Group is looking for an Associate Manager, Inventory Management based in Venlo, Netherlands. This permanent role requires you to drive inventory strategies across Europe, focusing on safety stock management and ensuring inventory health across the network.

Ideal candidates will have 5-7 years of experience in inventory planning within a multinational medical device company, excellent analytical skills, and fluency in English. This position will require at least 1-3 days on-site at the EMEA CDC.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of experience in inventory planning or supply chain in a multinational medical device company.
• Fluency in English; knowledge of Dutch is preferred.
• 3-5 years of people and/or process management experience.

Responsibilities

• Drive inventory strategies across Europe focusing on safety stock management.
• Identify root causes of inventory imbalance to improve health and availability.
• Collaborate with global teams to align inventory planning assumptions.

Skills

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Cross-functional influencing

Technical acumen with ERP systems

Education

Degree in Business, Engineering, or Supply Chain Management

Lean Six Sigma certification

APICS accreditation

Tools

Enterprise Resource Planning software

Job description

Associate Manager, Inventory Management

We are hiring an Associate Manager, Inventory Management in a permanent role. This is an individual contributor role working a minimum of 1-3 days on-site in the Central Distribution Centre in Venlo.

Job's Mission

As a member of the Inventory Planning team, this role drives inventory strategies across Europe with a strong focus on safety stock management, network flows, and inventory parameter setting in close collaboration with Operations and IBP teams. The role has a strong mid‑ to long‑term planning focus, working closely with divisional suppliers and IBP partners to align inventory strategies with business needs and supply capabilities.

Key Activities & Accountabilities

• Driving processes to create, review, optimize, and govern inventory‑setting practices for items in the EMEA CDC, LRDs (local country warehouses & kitrooms), with a strong focus on safety stock methodology and inventory parameters.
• Identifying, reviewing, and addressing root causes of inventory imbalance, excess, and obsolescence to improve inventory health and availability across the network, while also considering broader cost drivers across European operations.
• Gather, analyze, and validate data to support safety stock decisions, inventory parameter reviews, and accurate inventory level visibility across Europe.
• Play an active role in connecting Commercial and Operations teams to implement a robust inventory planning strategy.
• Be a partner to CDC and LRD operations teams while aligning with commercial, divisional, marketing, and finance functions to balance service levels, inventory investment, and supply risk.
• Drive inventory improvements that enhance service, reduce excess, and improve working capital efficiency.
• Collaborate with global IBP teams to align inventory planning assumptions, safety stock requirements, and mid‑ to long‑term inventory needs.

Education

• Degree level in Business, Engineering, or Supply Chain Management
• APICS accredited or professional supply‑chain accreditation preferred
• Fluency in English is essential; Dutch is preferred
• Lean Six Sigma certification is a plus
• Project management experience is a plus

Experience

• 5-7 years of work experience with a proven track record in European operations, inventory planning, supply chain, PMO, or finance in a multinational medical device company
• 3-5 years of people and/or process management experience
• Strong analytical and business acumen
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills; cross‑functional influencing skills; global teamwork and cultural awareness
• Strong technical acumen working with enterprise resource planning software
• Strong influencing skills with the ability to drive alignment and action across functions
• Demonstrated experience in establishing programs or initiatives that resulted in positive change
• Previous experience applying Lean Six Sigma tools or equivalent in operations or supply chain

Competencies

• Strong interpersonal skills – excellent written & verbal communication and the ability to relate well to colleagues from varied divisions, markets, and cultures
• Analytical – able to assess complex data, identify patterns, synthesize insights and turn them into clear inventory decisions
• Strategic – strong strategic thinker who considers both the short‑ and long‑term impact of decisions
• High achiever – creative and seeks to deliver the best within an agreed timeframe
• Activator – a self‑starter who can multi‑task, motivate others and oneself to get the job done
• Team player – works effectively with others and is willing and able to drive ideas, plans, and responsibilities collaboratively
• Change agent – has the courage to challenge the status quo and the ability to manage, deliver, and execute change
• Result‑oriented – strong results orientation with a track record of delivering high‑quality outcomes

Requirements

• Location – at a minimum, 1-3 days a week at the EMEA CDC in Venlo
• Flexibility – able to work across time zones with US‑based suppliers