Inventory Control Manager

Oxbo; DeKalb (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Oxbo in DeKalb, IL, seeks an Inventory Control Manager to lead the division's inventory strategy and execution, partnering with Operations, Finance, and Senior Management to balance service levels, cost, and risk across the supply chain.

You'll oversee demand planning, forecast accuracy, and inventory optimization across multiple sites, develop annual projections, monitor KPIs, drive continuous improvement, and ensure compliance with internal controls.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Analytics, Finance, Operations, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in inventory management, supply chain planning, or operations.
• 2+ years of leadership experience managing teams and/or cross-functional initiatives/projects.
• Proven experience in demand planning, forecasting, and inventory optimization in a complex, multi-location environment.
• Experience with inventory planning and ERP systems (e.g. TransImpact, Avercast, QAD or similar platforms).
• High skill level with analytics tools and reporting systems (e.g., Excel modeling, BI tools such as Power BI or Tableau).
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills with a solid understanding of statistical concepts and their application in forecasting and inventory optimization.
• Demonstrated success improving working capital, inventory turns, and service level KPIs.
• Strong understanding of supply chain processes, including S&OP, production planning, and demand/supply balancing.
• Ability to communicate effectively with team members, vendors, and customers-at all levels- both written and verbal.
• Ability to translate data into clear, actionable business recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of the inventory strategy to support company objectives for service levels, cost efficiency, and working capital objectives.
• Direct demand forecasting strategies, processes, and systems to ensure accurate planning and alignment with sales and operational requirements.
• Manage and optimize inventory planning tools, software platforms, and analytics systems used to forecast and manage inventory across the organization.
• Establish and monitor key performance metrics, including service levels, fill rates, inventory turns, and shipping reliability, ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction.
• Develop and manage annual inventory forecasts for distribution and site levels across the organization.
• Collaborate with Finance and Purchasing to establish total inventory value and days of inventory.
• Drive data-driven decision-making through analytics, reporting, and modelling to identify risks, opportunities, and inefficiencies within the inventory network.
• Work closely with Finance and Supply Chain on end-of-life, excess, and scrap inventory initiatives to minimize financial exposure.
• Identify and implement process improvements, system enhancements, and best practices to increase forecasting accuracy and inventory efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls, audit requirements, and inventory management policies.
• Perform other duties as required.

Skills

Inventory management

Demand planning

Forecasting

Analytics

ERP systems

Excel modeling

Power BI

Tableau

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Analytics, Finance, Operations, or related field

Tools

TransImpact

Avercast

QAD

Job description

Summary:

The Inventory Control Manager will lead the division’s inventory strategy and execution while remaining closely engaged in the analytical and planning work that drives decision-making. This role partners closely with Operations, Finance, and Senior Management to balance service levels, cost, and risk across the supply chain while driving continuous improvement in inventory performance.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and execution of the inventory strategy to support company objectives for service levels, cost efficiency, and working capital objectives


• Direct demand forecasting strategies, processes, and systems to ensure accurate planning and alignment with sales and operational requirements


• Manage and optimize inventory planning tools, software platforms, and analytics systems used to forecast and manage inventory across the organization


• Establish and monitor key performance metrics, including service levels, fill rates, inventory turns, and shipping reliability, ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction


• Develop and manage annual inventory forecasts for distribution and site levels across the organization


• Collaborate with Finance and Purchasing to establish total inventory value and days of inventory


• Drive data-driven decision-making through analytics, reporting, and modelling to identify risks, opportunities, and inefficiencies within the inventory network


• Work closely with Finance and Supply Chain on end-of-life, excess, and scrap inventory initiatives to minimize financial exposure


• Identify and implement process improvements, system enhancements, and best practices to increase forecasting accuracy and inventory efficiency


• Ensure compliance with internal controls, audit requirements, and inventory management policies


• Perform other duties as required.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Analytics, Finance, Operations, or a related field (or equivalent experience)


• 5+ years of experience in inventory management, supply chain planning, or operations


• 2+ years of leadership experience managing teams and/or cross-functional initiatives/projects


• Proven experience in demand planning, forecasting, and inventory optimization in a complex, multi-location environment


• Experience with inventory planning and ERP systems (e.g. TransImpact, Avercast, QAD or similar platforms)


• High skill level with analytics tools and reporting systems (e.g., Excel modeling, BI tools such as Power BI or Tableau)


• Strong analytical and quantitative skills with a solid understanding of statistical concepts and their application in forecasting and inventory optimization


• Demonstrated success improving working capital, inventory turns, and service level KPIs


• Strong understanding of supply chain processes, including S&OP, production planning, and demand/supply balancing


• Ability to communicate effectively with team members, vendors, and customers-at all levels- both written and verbal.


• Ability to translate data into clear, actionable business recommendations