Director of Inventory Management

Kramer Poole Talent Partners; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Kramer Poole Talent Partners seeks a Director of Inventory Management to lead the strategy, accuracy and performance of client inventory across a network of sites. This senior role oversees a large team and partners with operations, client teams and technology to deliver cost-efficient inventory management.

The role requires deep experience in inventory control, strong leadership, and a track record of optimizing stock levels, cycle counts and replenishment in a contract logistics environment.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in inventory management or supply chain planning within 3PL/contract logistics.
• Proven track record of leading inventory teams at director or senior manager level.
• Strong understanding of warehouse operations, WMS and inventory control methodologies.
• Experience managing inventory across multiple sites and client accounts.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to turn data into actionable insights.
• Bachelor’s degree in related field; master’s or professional certification desirable.

Responsibilities

• Define and implement inventory strategy, policies and standards across the network.
• Establish best-practice frameworks for cycle counting, reconciliation, replenishment and obsolescence management.
• Drive improvements in inventory accuracy, stock availability and turnover.
• Monitor shrinkage, write-offs, aged and excess stock; identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Lead and develop a team of inventory professionals across sites; embed consistent processes and accountability.
• Collaborate with clients, finance, IT and operations to align inventory with business goals.
• Drive adoption of WMS and analytics to improve decision-making; lead continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Inventory management

Leadership

Data analysis

WMS

Automation

Education

Bachelor's in Supply Chain

APICS CPIM/CSCP desirable

Tools

WMS platforms

ERP systems

BI tools

Excel

Job description

Our client, a leading global Contract Logistics services organisation, is seeking an experienced Director of Inventory Management to lead inventory strategy, accuracy and performance across its contract logistics network. This is a senior leadership role with accountability for how inventory is planned, controlled and optimised on behalf of clients.

Role Purpose

The Director of Inventory Management is responsible for the integrity, visibility and optimisation of client inventory across multiple sites and customer accounts. The role sets the standards, processes and governance that keep inventory accurate, available and cost-effective, and works closely with operations, client teams and technology partners to turn inventory performance into a competitive advantage for the business and its customers. The positions leads a team of over 100 inventory control professionals across 13 facilities controlling a multibillion USD inventory.

Key Responsibilities

Inventory Strategy and Governance

• Define and implement the inventory management strategy, policies and standards across the network.
• Establish best-practice frameworks for cycle counting, reconciliation, replenishment and obsolescence management.
• Ensure compliance with client requirements, audit standards and internal controls.

Inventory Performance and Optimisation

• Drive improvements in inventory accuracy, stock availability and turnover.
• Monitor and reduce shrinkage, write-offs, aged and excess stock.
• Analyse inventory data to identify trends, risks and cost-saving opportunities.
• Partner with clients on safety stock, replenishment and demand-driven inventory strategies.

Operational Leadership

• Lead and develop a team of inventory managers, analysts and control specialists across sites.
• Work with site and operations leaders to embed consistent processes and accountability.
• Manage escalations on complex inventory discrepancies and client-impacting issues.

Client and Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as the senior inventory subject-matter expert in client business reviews, audits and solution design.
• Support new business and onboarding with inventory design, controls and reporting frameworks.
• Collaborate with finance, IT, commercial and solutions teams to align inventory performance with business goals.

Technology and Continuous Improvement

• Drive adoption of WMS, inventory visibility tools and analytics to improve accuracy and decision-making.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma or similar methodologies.
• Contribute to automation, digitisation and process standardisation programmes.

Key Performance Indicators

• Inventory accuracy (location and system)
• Cycle count completion and variance rates
• Inventory shrinkage and write-off levels
• Stock turnover and ageing
• Client audit and compliance results
• Cost savings from process and inventory improvements

Experience and Requirements

• Significant experience in inventory management, inventory control or supply chain planning within a 3PL, contract logistics or supply chain environment.
• Proven track record of leading inventory teams at director or senior manager level.
• Strong understanding of warehouse operations, WMS and inventory control methodologies.
• Experience managing inventory across multiple sites, clients or industries.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to turn data into action.
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business or a related field; master’s degree or professional certification (e.g. APICS CPIM / CSCP) desirable.

Technical Skills

• Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and inventory management platforms
• ERP systems and inventory reporting tools
• Advanced Excel and data analysis; BI tools a plus
• Lean / Six Sigma or continuous improvement methodologies
• Strategic thinker with strong attention to detail and operational discipline
• Credible, confident communicator with clients and senior stakeholders
• Strong leadership and team development skills
• Comfortable driving change across multiple sites and stakeholders
• Results-oriented and able to work in a fast-paced, client-focused environment