Director - Inventory

Anixter International; Glenview (IL); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 244,000; Full time

Job summary

Wesco is seeking a Director of Inventory to lead the strategy and execution of inventory management, driving optimization while sustaining high service levels. You will shape standards, KPIs, and cross-functional programs, partnering with leadership to align with business goals and drive improvement initiatives.

The role requires extensive leadership experience, strategic vision, and hands-on guidance to teams, with opportunities for career development and travel up to 25%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s Degree preferred.
• 10+ years of inventory management experience including negotiations and knowledge of key contractual language.
• 10+ years collaborating with business operations and functional groups.
• 8+ years of management/supervisory experience.
• 8+ years leading change management.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to influence individuals and teams with or without reporting relationships.
• 10+ years leadership experience with ability to mobilize people and communicate a clear vision.
• 10+ years organizing multidisciplinary teams through structured workshops.
• 10+ years change management leadership experience including overcoming resistance.
• 10+ years coaching and training experience to develop team members.
• Ability to travel up to 25%.

Responsibilities

• Partner with leaders across supply chain to identify inventory improvements.
• Lead Inventory team to create and implement optimization plans and forecasts.
• Develop standards, metrics, and procedures for efficiencies.
• Drive cross-functional teams to optimize inventory capabilities and practices.
• Collaborate with business units to build strategic plans aligned with goals.
• Carry out process improvement initiatives and standardization.
• Define standardized KPIs and deploy them.
• Coordinate with internal/external teams to resolve vendor issues and plan additions.
• Act as coach and mentor to support career development.
• Recruit and develop talent focusing on leadership potential and succession.

Skills

Inventory management

Negotiations

Stakeholder collaboration

Change management

Leadership

Communication skills

Influence

Travel availability

Strategic planning

Team facilitation

Coaching and training

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Job description

• Locations 2301 Patriot Boulevard, Glenview, IL, 60026, US (Hybrid)
• Job Schedule Full time

Job Description

As the Director – Inventory, you will be responsible for developing and executing the Inventory Management strategy to optimize investment while providing high-level service to customers. You will develop and drive inventory best practices, collaborating with leadership, stakeholders and business partners.

Responsibilities:

• Partner with other leaders across the supply chain and business to identify new opportunities to drive inventory improvements
• Lead Inventory team to create, implement, and execute inventory optimization plans and programs, developing forecasts for future demand
• Develop standards, metrics, and procedures that maximizes inventory management efficiencies
• Drive cross-functional teams and stakeholder to optimize inventory capabilities and develop best inventory management practices
• Collaborate with business units to build strategic plan that aligns with business goals
• Develop and carry out process improvement initiatives and collaborates with functional areas to identify best practices and process standardization.
• Define standardized KPI's based on industry best practices and ensures that these KPI's are successfully deployed
• Partner with internal/external teams to solve vendor issues, manage vendor changes and plan for product additions
• Act as coach and mentor to support career development plans
• Recruit and develop term, focusing on future leadership potential and succession planning

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s Degree preferred
• 10 years of experience of inventory management, including negotiations and knowledge of key contractual language
• 10 years demonstrated experience collaborating with business operations and functional groups
• 8 years management/supervisory experience
• 8 years of experience leading change management
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Ability to influence individuals and teams with or without reporting relationships
• 10+ years leadership experience with proven ability to formulate and communicate clear vision and sense of direction and mobilize people preferred
• 10+ years of experience organizing and facilitating multidisciplinary teams through structured workshops (strategic session, Kaizens, problem solving sessions)preferred
• 10+ years change management leadership experience including ability to communicate a need for change, create all necessary conditions for successful change and overcome different forms of resistance preferred
• 10+ years proven coaching and training experience including the ability to facilitate team members to develop their skills and abilities to achieve agreed upon objectives preferred
• Ability to travel up to 25%

#LI-MB1

• Compensation Details $139,693 - $244,463 Annually

• Compensation Details $139,693 - $244,463 Annually

This amount is what we reasonably believe we will pay for the position; however, offer amounts may vary based on factors such as geographic location, relevant education, experience, qualifications, skills, shift, or any collective bargaining agreements.For eligible positions, compensation may include participation in a bonus or sales incentive plan,subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plan documents. For certain sales roles, Wesco also offers a commission structure that provides additional compensation based on sales results, as defined by the applicable commission plan.
In addition, Wesco offers abenefits program for eligible employees, which may include paid time off, medical, dental, and vision coverage, and retirement savings plans. Additional details about benefits are availablehere .

About the Team

At Wesco, we build, connect, power and protect the world. As a leading provider of business-to-business distribution, logistics services and supply chain solutions, we create a world that you can depend on.Our Company’s greatest asset is our people. Wesco is committed to fostering a workplace where every individual is respected, valued, and empowered to succeed. We promote a culture that is grounded in teamwork and respect. With a workforce of over 20,000 people worldwide, we embrace the unique perspectives each person brings. Through comprehensive benefits and active community engagement, we create an environment where every team member has the opportunity to thrive.Founded in 1922 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Wesco is a publicly traded (NYSE: WCC) FORTUNE 500® company.

Wesco International, Inc., including its subsidiaries and affiliates (“Wesco”) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or other characteristics protected by law. US applicants only, we are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Los Angeles Unincorporated County Candidates Only: Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act.

This posting is for a current, active vacancy intended for immediate hire.