Inventory Control Specialist

True Religion; El Segundo (CA); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) with employer match

Merchandise discounts

Commuter benefits

Wellness & employee assistance

Job summary

True Religion in El Segundo, CA is seeking an Inventory Control Specialist to safeguard inventory accuracy across all stores. You will turn shipment, transfer, and transaction data into clear insights that support on-hand balances, inform decisions, and lead inventory research during count season.

The role requires advanced Excel skills, 2+ years in inventory control or loss prevention, strong analytical and written communication abilities, and travel up to 20%.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in inventory control, loss prevention, retail operations, or a related analytical role.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel proficiency, including pivot tables, XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, data modeling, and report building from large data sets.
• Working knowledge of retail receiving, transfers, cycle counts, inventory adjustments, and physical inventory processes.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail, with the ability to research discrepancies and identify recurring trends.
• Strong written communication and collaboration skills, including the ability to present findings clearly to executive leadership.
• Ability to travel up to 20% of the time, including during count season, and a valid driver's license.
• Experience with retail inventory management systems and third-party physical inventory counts.
• Microsoft PowerPoint proficiency for preparing leadership presentations.

Responsibilities

• Own inventory on-hand adjustments for all store locations.
• Review, validate, and process adjustments with required documentation, approvals, and an auditable log; reconcile discrepancies from cycle counts, damages, and in-store adjustments.
• Monitor unusual adjustment volume, frequency, or dollar value and escalates concerns to the Director of Loss Prevention.
• Lead pre- and post-count inventory research during count season.
• Review open transfers, unreceived shipments, and pending adjustments; analyze variances by store, department, and SKU to identify root causes.
• Coordinate physical inventory exception resolution with third-party counting vendor and store leadership.
• Support store count readiness, manage recount requests, and follow through on count exceptions and variance research to ensure accurate results.
• Analyze shipment and transfer discrepancies between stores and the distribution center (DC).
• Track unreceived, short-shipped, and over-shipped inventory, and open variances through resolution.
• Establish and monitor timelines for resolving inventory discrepancies, escalating overdue items.
• Organize and report company shrink performance after each count season by store, district, and region.

Skills

Advanced Microsoft Excel

Analytical skills

Written communication

Travel readiness

Experience in inventory control/loss

Tools

PowerPoint

Job description

THE PURPOSE:

The Inventory Control Specialist safeguards inventory accuracy across all True Religion retail stores and helps protect the business from preventable inventory loss. Reporting to the Director of Loss Prevention, this role turns inventory, shipment, transfer, and transaction data into clear insights that support reliable on-hand balances and informed decisions. The position leads inventory research during count season, supports internal investigations, and identifies recurring discrepancies and their root causes. By strengthening inventory controls, improving field execution, and reporting shrink performance, the role contributes to operational excellence across the retail business.

THE ROLE (what you are accountable for):

Own inventory on-hand adjustments for all store locations. Review, validate, and process adjustments with required documentation, approvals, and an auditable log; reconcile discrepancies from cycle counts, damages, and in-store adjustments. Monitor unusual adjustment volume, frequency, or dollar value and escalates concerns to the Director of Loss Prevention.

Lead pre- and post-count inventory research during count season. Review open transfers, unreceived shipments, and pending adjustments; analyze variances by store, department, and SKU to identify root causes and distinguish true shrink from discrepancies caused by inventory processes or records.

Coordinate physical inventory exception resolution with the third-party counting vendor and store leadership. Support store count readiness, manage recount requests, and follow through on count exceptions and variance research to ensure accurate, supportable results.

Analyze shipment and transfer discrepancies between stores and the distribution center (DC), and between stores. Track unreceived, short-shipped, and over-shipped inventory, Transfer Discrepancy Forms, and open variances through resolution. Report recurring patterns by store, carrier, carton, or SKU and recommend corrective actions.

Establish and monitor timelines for resolving inventory discrepancies, escalating overdue items and tracking recurring issues through closure.

Organize and report company shrink performance after each count season by store, district, and region. Compare results with prior counts, budget, and goals; identify high-shrink stores and key loss drivers. Prepare clear summaries, trend reports, and presentations for the Director of Loss Prevention to deliver to executive leadership.

Maintain recurring shrink, inventory accuracy, and exception reporting between count seasons. Use advanced Excel analysis and company systems to monitor trends, highlight emerging issues, and track progress on inventory control priorities.

Provide data support for internal investigations. Analyze transaction, adjustment, transfer, and receiving activity for suspicious patterns; prepare organized data summaries and supporting documentation for case files. Maintain strict confidentiality of investigative information.

Partner with the Director of Loss Prevention to develop and maintain inventory control policies and procedures, including damages, cycle counts, and in-store adjustments. Create forms, step-by-step guides, and training materials that support consistent execution across stores.

Monitor store compliance with inventory control policies and conduct inventory control audits. Travel to stores to support physical inventories and high-variance follow-up; reinforce receiving, transfer, damage, and adjustment procedures with store leadership. Document findings, follow up on corrective action plans, and recommend policy updates based on audit results and discrepancy trends.

Manage inventory control priorities and follow-up independently in a remote environment, coordinating with stores, the DC, the counting vendor, and the Director of Loss Prevention to meet deadlines. Perform other duties as requested by the Director of Loss Prevention.

YOU ARE:

You are an analytical, detail-oriented professional who combines strong Excel skills with a practical understanding of retail inventory processes. You take ownership of discrepancies, investigate their underlying causes, and follow through until they are resolved. You are self-motivated and organized, work effectively with limited supervision in a remote environment, and manage competing priorities and deadlines. You communicate findings clearly to store teams and leadership, collaborate across functions, and handle sensitive information with discretion.

REQUIRED MINIMUM EXPERIENCE

• 2+ years of experience in inventory control, loss prevention, retail operations, or a related analytical role.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel proficiency, including pivot tables, XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, data modeling, and report building from large data sets.
• Working knowledge of retail receiving, transfers, cycle counts, inventory adjustments, and physical inventory processes.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail, with the ability to research discrepancies and identify recurring trends.
• Strong written communication and collaboration skills, including the ability to present findings clearly to executive leadership.
• Ability to work independently, remain organized, and manage priorities and deadlines in a remote environment.
• Ability to travel up to 20% of the time, including during count season, and a valid driver's license.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• Experience with retail inventory management systems and third-party physical inventory counts.
• Microsoft PowerPoint proficiency for preparing leadership presentations.

Compensation

The anticipated base salary range for this role is $65,000 – $75,000. This is a full-time, exempt position. This range represents the low and high ends of the expected base salary range for this role based on the applicable location. True Religion reasonably expects to pay within this range in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors including relevant experience, skills, knowledge, and internal equity.

Perks

We offer a mix of benefits and perks to support our employees at work and beyond, including health benefits, a 401(k) with employer match, merchandise discounts, commuter benefits, wellness & employee assistance programs, and more.

Work Model

This role is based in El Segundo, CA, and follows a hybrid work model, with an expectation of in-office presence on designated days to support collaboration and business needs.

Employment Eligibility

Employment with True Religion is contingent upon meeting applicable employment eligibility requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer

True Religion is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. Applicable law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process. Please let us know if you require accommodation, and we will make appropriate arrangements. You can contact us at [e-mail] with these requests.

About the Company

Founded in 2002, True Religion, an urban casual lifestyle apparel and accessories brand for women, men and kids, quickly became a global icon by redefining fashion with its bold Super T stitching and innovative construction. Worn by artists, athletes and style pioneers, the brand is rooted in self-expression and individuality. Today, True Religion continues to evolve while staying true to its heritage, blending timeless craftsmanship with modern influences. Offering denim, sportswear, accessories and more for men, women and kids, True Religion remains a go-to for those who live boldly and authentically.