Inventory & Operational Forecasting Manager in Manufacturing

Vertiv Corporation; Westerville (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Vertiv is seeking an Inventory & Operational Forecasting Manager within Manufacturing to translate operational and inventory data into forward-looking insights that support business performance. This role collaborates across plant, planning, finance, and supply functions to optimize forecasting processes and inventory metrics.

You will analyze large datasets, diagnose root causes of variances, and deliver data-driven recommendations that tie operational performance to financial outcomes.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in forecasting, inventory management, supply chain analytics, or related disciplines.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to work with large, complex datasets.
• Demonstrated ability to translate data into insights and actionable recommendations.
• Experience operating in fast-paced environments with evolving or incomplete information.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Experience with ERP or planning systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, or similar).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Operational Forecasting & Analysis: Partner with plant and planning teams to support and improve forecasting processes.
• Analyze and reconcile forecast inputs across demand, supply, and execution to identify gaps and opportunities.
• Evaluate forecast accuracy and performance, identifying root causes of variation and systemic drivers.
• Assess forecast assumptions, risks, and confidence levels, and communicate implications to stakeholders.
• Inventory Performance Management: Monitor key inventory metrics such as DIO and excess/obsolete inventory, and ensure supply-demand alignment.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with demand planning, supply planning, materials, procurement, operations, and finance teams.

Skills

Forecasting

Inventory management

Supply chain analytics

Advanced Excel

ERP systems

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Inventory & Operational Forecasting Manager within Manufacturing is responsible for developing and translating operational and inventory data into forward-looking insights that support business performance. This role will support analysis and reconciliation of forecasts across demand, supply, and inventory, connecting business strategy, execution, and financial outcomes. This position plays a critical role in identifying drivers of performance, diagnosing root causes of variances, and delivering clear, data-driven recommendations to support decision-making. The role operates in a cross-functional environment and influences outcomes through analysis, insight, and collaboration.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Operational Forecasting & Analysis

Partner with plant and planning teams to support and improve operational and inventory forecasting processes

Analyze and reconcile forecast inputs across demand, supply, and execution to identify gaps, misalignment, and improvement opportunities

Evaluate forecast accuracy and performance, identifying root causes of variation and systemic drivers

Assess forecast assumptions, risks, and confidence levels, and clearly communicate implications to stakeholders

Data Analysis & Business Insight

Analyze large and complex datasets to evaluate operational and inventory performance

Identify root causes of inventory imbalances, service issues, and execution gaps

Reconcile inconsistencies across systems, plans, and data sources

Decision Support & Recommendations

Translate analysis into clear, actionable recommendations with defined risks and tradeoffs

Proactively identify and communicate performance risks, constraints, and improvement opportunities

Support leadership decision-making by connecting operational performance to financial outcomes

Inventory Performance Management

Monitor key inventory metrics, including days inventory on hand (DIO), excess and obsolete inventory, and supply-demand alignment

Explain drivers of inventory performance across sites, product segments, and planning assumptions

Support inventory optimization initiatives and track results of corrective actions

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Partner with demand planning, supply planning, materials, procurement, operations, and finance teams

Facilitate alignment across functions by providing a consistent, fact-based view of performance

Support coordination and follow-through of planning and inventory-related initiatives

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIRED

7+ years of experience in forecasting, inventory management, supply chain analytics, or related disciplines

Strong analytical skills with the ability to work with large, complex datasets

Demonstrated ability to translate data into insights and actionable recommendations

Experience operating in fast-paced environments with evolving or incomplete information

Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel

Experience with ERP or planning systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, or similar)

Strong written and verbal communication skills

PREFERRED

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, Engineering, or related field

Experience in retail merchandise planning, demand forecasting, or inventory planning

Experience reconciling data across multiple systems (forecasting, financial planning, and operational systems)

Understanding of the relationship between sales, margin, supply chain, and inventory performance

Experience with reporting and visualization tools (e.g., Power BI or similar)

COMPETENCIES

Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities

Ability to operate effectively in ambiguous and rapidly changing environments

Sound judgment and ability to make recommendations based on incomplete information

Attention to detail with a focus on accuracy and data integrity

Ability to collaborate and influence across cross-functional teams

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This role operates in a cross-functional, matrixed environment and requires collaboration across multiple business functions and levels of the organization.

Travel Requirements: Up to 25%

OUR CORE PRINCIPLES

Safety. Integrity. Respect. Teamwork. Diversity & Inclusion.

OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

• High-Performance Culture
• Customer Focus
• Operational Excellence
• Innovation
• Financial Strength

OUR BEHAVIORS

Own It

Act With Urgency

Foster a Customer-First Mindset

Think Big and Execute

Lead by Example

Drive Continuous Improvement

Learn and Seek Out Development

Promote Transparent & Open Communication

At Vertiv, we're on a mission to empower the people that will power the future. From a simple swipe to life-changing medicines, from push notifications to generative AI. We design, manufacture, and service the products and solutions that keep the world connected.

With $6.9 billion in revenue, a strong customer base and global reach spanning nearly 70 countries, we are uniquely positioned to deliver greater value to our customers and create new opportunities for our people.

Vertiv is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We promote equal opportunities for all with respect to hiring, terms of employment, mobility, training, compensation, and occupational health, without discrimination as to age, race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy status (including childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity / expression (including transgender status or sexual stereotypes), genetic information, citizenship status, national origin, protected veteran status, political affiliation, or disability.

If you have a disability and are having difficulty accessing or using this website to apply for a position, you can request help by sending an email to [e-mail].

Work Authorization

No calls or agencies please. Vertiv will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States. This is not a position for which sponsorship will be provided. Individuals with temporary visas such as E, F-1, H-1, H-2, L, B, J, or TN or who need sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future, are not eligible for hire.

About Us

The successful candidate will embrace Vertiv's Core Principles & Behaviors to help execute our Strategic Priorities.

OUR CORE PRINCIPLES

Safety. Integrity. Respect. Teamwork. Inclusion.

OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

High-Performance Culture

Customer Focus

Operational Excellence

Innovation

Financial Strength

VERTIV BEHAVIORS

Own it

Act with urgency

Foster a customer-first mindset

Think big and execute

Lead by example

Drive continuous improvement

Learn and seek out development

Promote transparent & open communication

Vertiv (NYSE: VRT) brings together hardware, software, analytics and ongoing services to enable its customers' vital applications to run continuously, perform optimally and grow with their business needs. Vertiv solves the most important challenges facing today's data centers, communication networks, and commercial and industrial facilities with a portfolio of power, cooling and IT infrastructure solutions and services that extend from the cloud to the edge of the network. Headquartered in Westerville, Ohio, USA, Vertiv employs around 34,000 people and does business in more than 130 countries. Visit Vertiv.com to learn more.

Work Authorization

No calls or agencies please. Vertiv will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States. This is not a position for which sponsorship will be provided. Individuals with temporary visas such as E, F-1, H-1, H-2, L, B, J, or TN or who need sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future, are not eligible for hire.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Vertiv is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We promote equal opportunities for all with respect to hiring, terms of employment, mobility, training, compensation, and occupational health, without discrimination as to age, race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy status (including childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity / expression (including transgender status or sexual stereotypes), genetic information, citizenship status, national origin, protected veteran status, political affiliation, or disability. If you have a disability and are having difficulty accessing or using this website to apply for a position, you can request help by sending an email to [e-mail]