DC Inventory Manager

East Penn Manufacturing Co.; Maiden Creek (PA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Health insurance and wellness benefits

Retirement Savings Plan with company 3

Paid holidays and vacation

Job summary

East Penn Manufacturing Co. is seeking a Distribution Center Inventory Manager for our Maidencreek facility to lead inventory control, accuracy, and continuous improvement across distribution operations.

You will manage cycle counting, reconcile variances, and mentor Inventory Control Technicians, partnering with DC leaders to improve material flow, system integrity, and operational efficiency.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5–7 years of progressively responsible experience in inventory control, materials management, warehousing, or distribution operations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of materials management, inventory control, distribution workflows, slotting, replenishment, cycle counting, reconciliation, and inventory accuracy practices.
• Experience interpreting and analyzing ERP/WMS inventory information, investigating discrepancies, and implementing corrective actions.
• Experience working cross-functionally with Distribution Operations, Shipping, Transportation, Planning, Production, Quality, IT, or Customer Service.
• Experience with warehouse management systems (WMS), ERP systems, and inventory-control technology.
• Demonstrated leadership experience, including coaching, development, and accountability for others.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, train, and develop Inventory Control Technicians to promote performance, accountability, and growth.
• Communicate objectives and priorities while setting expectations for safety, accuracy, service, and timeliness.
• Establish consistent inventory control practices across facilities, buildings, and shifts.
• Identify training needs and partner with DC management on material handling, 5S, scanning, and inventory procedures.
• Develop and maintain training materials, best practices, and operating standards; monitor adherence to procedures.
• Oversee end-to-end cycle counting, discrepancy reconciliation, root-cause analysis, and corrective actions.
• Monitor inventory accuracy, investigate variances, and prevent recurrence; establish KPI accountability.
• Manage location accuracy, replenishment, OE dunnage, order-fulfillment transactions, slotting, floor stock, and scrap handling.
• Ensure inbound, storage, replenishment, and outbound material flow is efficient and accurate.
• Serve as a systems resource for ERP/WMS functionality and collaborate with IT and operations to improve processes.
• Develop reports and dashboards to translate inventory data into actionable insights.
• Identify system issues and coordinate corrective actions with stakeholders.

Skills

Inventory control

Cycle counting

WMS

ERP systems

Leadership

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate or Bachelor’s degree in supply chain/operations/logistics

ASCM CPIM certification preferred

Tools

Mainframe

Glovia

MSR

Somax

Job description

East Penn is currently seeking a Distribution Center Inventory Manager for our new Maidencreek facility.

The Distribution Center Inventory Manager is responsible for leading inventory control and accuracy across distribution operations. This position establishes and maintains inventory control practices, oversees cycle counting and reconciliation processes, leads and develops Inventory Control Technicians, and partners across the organization to improve inventory accuracy, material flow, system integrity, and operational effectiveness.

The Manager serves as a key resource for inventory-related processes, systems, reporting, and continuous improvement while ensuring compliance with East Penn policies, 5S standards, excess and obsolete (E&O) inventory practices, and established ERP/WMS processes.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, train, and develop Inventory Control Technicians to promote consistent performance, accountability, procedural compliance, and professional growth.


• Communicate business objectives and departmental priorities while establishing clear expectations for safety, inventory accuracy, service, and timeliness.


• Establish consistent inventory control practices across applicable facilities, buildings, and shifts.


• Partner with Distribution Center management to identify and support inventory-related training needs, including material handling, 5S, scanning processes, and inventory procedures.


• Develop and maintain training materials, best practices, and operating standards and monitor adherence to established procedures.

2. Inventory Control & Accuracy

• Administer inventory management policies, procedures, and controls to promote consistent execution across distribution operations.


• Manage the end-to-end cycle counting program, including scheduling, physical counts, discrepancy reconciliation, root-cause analysis, and corrective actions.


• Monitor inventory accuracy and investigate variances to identify underlying causes, resolve discrepancies, and prevent recurrence.


• Establish accountability for inventory accuracy KPIs and use results to identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities.


• Oversee inventory processes related to location accuracy, replenishment, OE dunnage, order-fulfillment transactions, slotting, inventory availability, floor stock, scrap, and other inventory categories.


• Ensure inventory practices support accurate and efficient inbound, storage, replenishment, and outbound material flow.

3. Systems, Data Management & Reporting

• Serve as a key business resource for inventory-related functionality within East Penn's ERP/WMS and related systems, including Mainframe, MSR, Somax, and Glovia.


• Maintain the accuracy and integrity of inventory transactions, system data, and applicable master records.


• Develop, maintain, and analyze inventory reports, dashboards, and performance metrics to identify trends and improvement opportunities.


• Translate inventory data into actionable information for Distribution Center management and other stakeholders.


• Partner with IT, Supply Chain Planning, and operational teams to test, validate, and improve inventory-related system functionality and processes.


• Identify system or transactional issues affecting inventory accuracy and coordinate corrective actions with appropriate stakeholders.

4. Cross-Functional Collaboration & Continuous Improvement

• Partner with Shipping, Logistics/Transportation, Customer Service, Planning/Scheduling, Distribution Center Operations, Production, IT, Quality, Sourcing, and other stakeholders to support inventory availability, accuracy, and effective material flow.


• Partner with Quality to support processes associated with nonconforming material and product holds.


• Lead or participate in root cause and corrective action (RCCA) activities involving recurring inventory, material-flow, transactional, or data-integrity issues.


• Identify, recommend, and implement process improvements that strengthen inventory accuracy, material visibility, storage utilization, and operational efficiency.


• Partner with Optimization leadership on initiatives designed to improve planning effectiveness, reduce process variability, and strengthen end-to-end material flow.


• Serve as an inventory subject-matter resource to Operations leadership and other business partners.

5. Compliance, Auditing & Inventory Governance

• Coordinate and oversee physical inventories and inventory audits to validate system accuracy and compliance with established requirements.


• Monitor adherence to inventory and material-handling procedures and partner with operational leadership to address identified gaps.


• Support and reinforce 5S standards within inventory storage and material-handling areas through routine monitoring, auditing, and coaching.


• Communicate inventory performance, significant discrepancies, emerging risks, and corrective-action progress to appropriate leadership.


• Participate in inventory planning, operational reviews, and other strategic discussions as needed.


• Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned.

Experience & Qualifications

Required

• Minimum of 5–7 years of progressively responsible experience in inventory control, materials management, warehousing, distribution operations, or a related field.


• Demonstrated knowledge of materials management, inventory control, distribution workflows, warehouse material flow, slotting, replenishment, cycle counting, reconciliation, and inventory accuracy practices.


• Demonstrated ability to interpret and analyze ERP/WMS inventory information, investigate discrepancies, and implement corrective actions.


• Experience working cross-functionally with functional areas such as Distribution Operations, Shipping, Transportation, Planning, Production, Quality, IT, or Customer Service.


• Experience working with warehouse management systems (WMS), ERP systems, and inventory-control technology.


• Demonstrated leadership experience, including the ability to coach, develop, and establish accountability for others.

Preferred

• Previous East Penn experience with knowledge of applicable procedures, practices, operations, and systems, including Mainframe, Glovia, MSR, and Somax.


• Experience in a large-scale manufacturing and/or distribution environment.


• Experience leading employees or processes across multiple buildings and/or shifts.


• Experience leading inventory-improvement, root-cause analysis, or continuous-improvement initiatives.

Education & Certifications

• High school diploma or GED required.


• Associate or Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, Business, Operations, Logistics, or a related field preferred. An equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience may be considered.


• ASCM CPIM certification preferred, or ability to complete designated training within 12 months of hire.


• Lean/problem-solving and root-cause analysis training preferred, or willingness to complete designated training within 12 months of hire.


• Applicable material-handling training/certification, or ability to complete required training within 12 months of hire.


• Strong knowledge of distribution center operations, inventory movement, material flow, and outbound service requirements.


• Knowledge of slotting, replenishment, staging, cycle counting, inventory reconciliation, and shipping processes.


• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify trends, determine root causes, and implement sustainable corrective actions.


• Ability to use inventory and operational metrics to support accuracy, efficiency, service, and continuous improvement.


• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, motivate, and develop employees.


• Ability to influence outcomes and build effective working relationships across departments and organizational levels.


• Demonstrated ability to constructively challenge existing processes and recommend practical improvements.


• Strong organizational, prioritization, and time-management skills with the ability to manage competing operational demands.


• Effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate complex inventory issues clearly and appropriately.


• Strong interpersonal, listening, collaboration, and relationship-management skills.


• Demonstrated initiative, sound judgment, attention to detail, and commitment to accuracy.


• Ability to receive and apply coaching and feedback to support continuous improvement.


• Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel, including intermediate-to-advanced Excel functionality such as lookup functions, PivotTables, and data analysis tools.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Work is performed primarily in an office environment with regular visits to Distribution Center and operational areas.


• Distribution Center environments may include exposure to heat, cold, fumes, odors, dust, and elevated noise levels.


• Ability to work at a computer and remain stationary for extended periods.


• Ability to navigate office and Distribution Center environments to attend meetings, access work areas, and observe inventory processes.


• Ability to communicate and exchange accurate information with employees at all levels of the organization.


• Occasional lifting of less than 50 pounds may be required. Lifting above 50 pounds must be performed with appropriate assistance.

East Penn offers excellent benefits:

• Competitive compensation


• Group health insurance that includes high quality medical, dental, vision and prescription coverage with a low employee premium


• Retirement Savings Plan with company match and a 3% employer contribution


• 9 paid company holidays, 2 paid personal holidays, and paid vacation days annually


• Employee assistance program


• Fitness Discounts


• Promotional opportunities

East Penn is a stable, essential employer, that is poised for the energy needs of the future with 80 years of sustainable lead battery and battery accessory manufacturing expertise!

At East Penn, our employees are our culture; our employees will always be the heart of the company. We are a private, family-owned enterprise committed to cultivating an atmosphere that honors the contributions of everyone. We want our employees to have long-term careers, and many do. Almost 40% of our workforce has over a decade of service. Our open-door management policy, comprehensive benefits package, annual bonus program for all, and career advancement opportunities are just some of the ways we show our employees how incredibly valued they are.

Our hiring process may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to help in the initial review of applications by identifying candidates whose qualifications best match job requirements. These tools do not make hiring decisions. All final hiring decisions regarding interviews and employment are made by our employee recruiting and hiring teams.

East Penn is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.