Distribution Manager, Inventory Control

Avantor; Batavia (IL); On-site; USD 71,000 - 113,000; Full time

Job summary

Avantor is seeking a Distribution Manager, Inventory Control to lead day-to-day inventory management through a team of analysts and associates at our Batavia, IL site. You will set goals, drive cycle counts, and optimize product flow while collaborating with finance, IT, and operations to uphold control standards.

The role requires 5+ years in inventory management, Lean/Six Sigma experience, and strong data/mathematical skills.

Qualifications

• Education: High School diploma or equivalent; College degree preferred.
• Experience: 5 years operations/Inventory management experience.
• 5 years of Lean, Six Sigma and related experience preferred.
• Knowledge of inventory management procedures and general warehousing terminology and practices.
• Skills in mathematics, data analysis, root cause analysis, Excel.
• Familiarity with warehouse and inventory management systems.
• Accuracy and thoroughness with great attention to detail.
• Continuous improvement mindset and strong interpersonal/communication skills.
• Knowledge of accounting principles is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, direct, manage and evaluate the inventory management activities and related budget items.
• Ensure accuracy of inventory across storage locations via cycle counts and reconciliations.
• Analyze stock movement data and operational trends to align with supply chain goals.
• Communicate with internal departments (supply chain, production, finance, IT) and external vendors as needed.
• Manage slotting and storage capacity; optimize product flow and space usage.
• Participate in monthly S&OP process and manage recoup program and returns.

Skills

Inventory management

Data analysis

Excel

Lean Six Sigma

Problem solving

Education

High School diploma

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Job description

The Opportunity: Avantor is looking for a Distribution Manager, Inventory Control to deliver day-to-day inventory management objectives through the supervision of a team of inventory management analysts and associates. The Distribution Manager sets operational goals that impact inventory accuracy, material flow, and support the implementation of new inventory processes, control standards, or system enhancements. This person continuously monitors and adjusts work methods to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of inventory operations, including reducing discrepancies, improving cycle count accuracy, and streamlining reconciliation procedures. This is a full-time onsite position at our Batavia, IL location.

How you will thrive and create an impact:

Plan, organize, direct, manage and evaluate the inventory management activities and related budget items of the Distribution center. Ensures accuracy of inventory across all storage locations by executing continuous physical inventory and cycle counts. Analyze inventory discrepancies, conduct root cause analysis, and adjust process, system and or policies/procedures accordingly. Addresses complex inventory issues by analyzing stock movement data, transactional records, and operational trends, ensuring alignment with broader supply chain and business goals. Communicates regularly with internal departments such as supply chain, production, finance, and IT, and may engage with external vendors, auditors, or logistics partners. These interactions require a strong ability to understand, explain, and align diverse perspectives in support of operational excellence and cross-functional collaboration. Manage slotting processes across all storage locations to ensure optimization of product flow. Manage the distribution center storage capacity across all types of storage, determine and execute on space optimization strategies. Participate in monthly S&OP process by providing DC constraints. Proactively manage inventory dating, excess & obsolete inventory within the distribution center. Communicate with commercial on upcoming dating, excess & obsolete inventory. Communicate with Finance to ensure sufficient reserves for inventory writer downs/offs. Manage the corporate recoup program to ensure all damaged/defective product is accounted for and properly handled. Maintains records to accurately track recouped product and return saleable product to stock. Direct and manage corporate governance and regulatory compliance procedures related to inventory management operations. Develop and manage key performance indicators, in support of network BOS metrics, to measure the effectiveness of inventory management operations. Manage all customer returns. Audit returns and move returned product to its proper location. When necessary, processes proper documentation to generate a prompt credit transaction. Takes appropriate action on product that is not in saleable condition. Develops all necessary reports and documentation to facilitate accurate inventory counts including records of all audits, counts and adjustments. Completes and issues all necessary records and reports in a timely and accurate fashion. Interview, select, coach, mentor, train, manage, and appraise the performance of inventory management personnel in the distribution center. Communicates timing of physical inventories and any variances. Works with Customer Service Representatives, and Warehouse Supervisors to establish cut-off dates. Participate in customer and vendor site audits, ensure that customer assigned and customer owned inventory is appropriately managed systemically and physically. Responsible for all training of operations staff on all operations processes. Ensures operations process (SOP) compliance. Site champion of Lean/Six Sigma/continuous improvement projects Performs other duties as assigned.

What we're looking for:

• Education: High School diploma or equivalent; College degree preferred.
• Experience: 5 years operations/Inventory management experience.
• 5 years of Lean, Six Sigma and related experience preferred.
• Requires knowledge of inventory management procedures and general warehousing terminology and practices.
• Skills in mathematics, data analysis, root cause analysis, personal computers (Excel) and spreadsheets are vital.
• Familiarity with warehouse and inventory management systems required.
• Accuracy and thoroughness required with great attention to detail.
• Requires continuous improvement mindset and experience Interpersonal and communication skills are important.
• Knowledge of accounting principles a plus.

ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL EFFORT (Under Typical Positions)

While performing the duties of this job, the associate is exposed to an industrial warehouse environment. The associate works near moving mechanical machinery and noise level in the work environment is usually loud. The job requires working in heights, exposure to changes in temperature, driving equipment, and maybe exposed to dust, fumes, or gases. The associate is required to stand and walk for the majority of the working day. The physical requirements of the job are for associates to talk, hear, bend/stoop, squat, crawl, climb height, reach above shoulder height, crouch, kneel, balance, and push/pull. Furthermore, the job requires associates to lift/carry/push or pull up to 75 pounds with or without assistance. Associates use both hands for repetitive actions such as grasping and manipulating as well as both feet for repetitive movement operating foots controls. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position. Avantor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Why Avantor?

Dare to go further in your career. Join our global team of 14,000+ associates whose passion for discovery and determination to overcome challenges relentlessly advances life‑changing science. The work we do changes people's lives for the better. It brings new patient treatments and therapies to market, giving a cancer survivor the chance to walk his daughter down the aisle. It enables medical devices that help a little boy hear his mom’s voice for the first time. Outcomes such as these create unlimited opportunities for you to contribute your talents, learn new skills and grow your career at Avantor. We are committed to helping you on this journey through our diverse, equitable and inclusive culture which includes learning experiences to support your career growth and success. At Avantor, dare to go further and see how the impact of your contributions set science in motion to create a better world.

Pay Transparency

The expected pre‑tax pay for this position is $70,500.00 - $113,275.00 Actual pay may differ depending on relevant factors such as prior experience and geographic location.

EEO Statement

We are an Equal Employment/Affirmative Action employer and VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province, or local law. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at [e-mail] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address. For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please view the Know Your Rights poster.

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3rd Party Non‑Solicitation Policy

By submitting candidates without having been formally assigned on and contracted for a specific job requisition by Avantor, or by failing to comply with the Avantor recruitment process, you forfeit any fee on the submitted candidates, regardless of your usual terms and conditions. Avantor works with a preferred supplier list and will take the initiative to engage with recruitment agencies based on its needs and will not be accepting any form of solicitation. Avantor, a Fortune 500 company, is a leading global provider of mission‑critical products and services to customers in the biopharma, healthcare, education & government, and advanced technologies & applied materials industries. Our portfolio is used in virtually every stage of the most important research, development and production activities in the industries we serve. One of our greatest strengths comes from having a global infrastructure that is strategically located to support the needs of our customers. Our global footprint enables us to serve more than 225,000 customer locations and gives us extensive access to research laboratories and scientists in more than 180 countries. We set science in motion to create a better world.