Lead VMI Coordinator

Turner Supply Company; United States; On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Turner Supply Company is seeking a Lead VMI Associate to lead Vendor Managed Inventory programs across assigned customer locations. You will oversee vending solutions, equipment maintenance, and day-to-day VMI team direction to ensure inventory accuracy and high service levels.

You will coordinate with sales, purchasing, warehouse, and customer service to resolve issues and drive improvements while maintaining safety compliance at customer sites.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in VMI, vending, inventory control, or related environments.
• Experience leading or supervising teams in warehouse or field operations.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate daily activities of VMI Associates across customer accounts and routes.
• Serve as escalation point for inventory discrepancies, stock-outs, and equipment issues.
• Manage multiple locations, service schedules, and inventory programs and vending solutions.
• Provide onboarding and training to new VMI Associates; support skills development.
• Analyze consumption, replenishment levels, and service requirements to maximize availability and turns.
• Troubleshoot and repair vending machines, crates, scanners, and related equipment.
• Maintain maintenance records and coordinate repairs with vendors.

Skills

Leadership

VMI

Inventory management

Data analysis

Customer service

ERP systems

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Associate degree preferred

Tools

SnapVend

CribMaster

Field Office

Job description

Job Title: Lead VMI AssociateDepartment: Operations – WarehouseFLSA Status: Hourly Non-ExemptDirect Report: Warehouse Manager or Branch ManagerSupervisory Responsibility: Kitting AssociatesLocation: VariesJob SummaryThe Lead VMI Associate is responsible for leading and coordinating Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI), vending, crib, and inventory management programs across assigned customer locations. This position serves as the primary field resource for inventory optimization, vending technologies, machine maintenance, customer support, training, reporting, and continuous improvement initiatives. The Lead VMI Associate provides day-to-day direction to VMI team members while ensuring exceptional customer service, inventory accuracy, equipment uptime, operational performance, and safety compliance.Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesChampion company culture, safety standards, quality expectations, and core values.Lead and coordinate daily activities of VMI Associates assigned to customer accounts and service routes.Serve as the primary escalation point for inventory discrepancies, stock-outs, customer concerns, and equipment issues.Manage multiple customer locations, service schedules, projects, inventory programs, and vending solutions simultaneously.Provide onboarding, coaching, and training to new VMI Associates and support ongoing skills development.Coordinate implementation, setup, expansion, relocation, and optimization of VMI and vending programs.Analyze inventory consumption, usage trends, replenishment levels, and service requirements to maximize product availability and inventory turns.Troubleshoot, diagnose, repair, and maintain vending machines, inventory cabinets, scanners, barcode systems, dispensing equipment, and related hardware.Perform preventive maintenance on vending machines, lockers, cabinets, and inventory management equipment.Coordinate repairs with vendors and internal resources when advanced service is required.Maintain accurate equipment maintenance records and service history documentation.Monitor inventory accuracy, machine performance, and program effectiveness through audits and cycle counts.Develop and maintain expertise in ERP, vending management, and inventory control systems.Work closely with sales, purchasing, warehouse, customer service, and customer representatives to resolve issues and support growth opportunities.Support warehouse operations, order fulfillment, receiving, stocking, cycle counting, and deliveries as needed.Lead continuous improvement projects focused on service, efficiency, inventory accuracy, equipment uptime, and customer satisfaction.Ensure compliance with customer site requirements, safety standards, and company policies.Maintain professional customer relationships and represent the company positively at all times.Tracking, Reporting, and Performance MetricsTrack and report inventory accuracy, stock-out percentages, service levels, machine uptime, order fulfillment accuracy, and route performance.Monitor customer usage trends and provide recommendations for inventory optimization.Prepare recurring KPI reports for warehouse leadership and sales management.Track vending machine utilization, refill frequency, equipment downtime, repair trends, and maintenance completion rates.Report service failures, root causes, corrective actions, and improvement opportunities.Maintain documentation related to audits, inventory counts, machine service records, and customer projects.Basic Job RequirementsExceptional customer service, leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills.Strong analytical, organizational, troubleshooting, and problem-solving abilities.Ability to work independently and direct the activities of others when necessary.Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office, ERP systems, inventory software, and vending management platforms.Working knowledge of SnapVend, CribMaster, Field Office, or similar systems preferred.Mechanical aptitude with the ability to troubleshoot and repair equipment and inventory dispensing systems.Valid driver’s license and satisfactory driving record.Experience5+ years of experience in VMI, vending, inventory control, warehouse operations, industrial distribution, or related environments.Previous leadership, training, or team lead experience preferred.Educational RequirementsHigh School Diploma or GED required.Associate degree or equivalent experience preferred.Work EnvironmentWork is performed at customer locations, warehouses, loading docks, and field environments with routine use of computers, scanners, inventory systems, vending machines, company vehicles, forklifts, and material handling equipment.Physical DemandsFrequent standing, walking, bending, reaching, climbing, pushing, pulling, and lifting. Regular lifting of items up to 75 pounds. Ability to perform equipment troubleshooting and repair activities.TravelFrequent travel to customer locations for service, inventory management, equipment maintenance, project implementation, audits, and customer support activities.Other DutiesThis job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position. Duties may be modified as business needs change.EEO StatementTurner Supply Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Turner Supply Company does not discriminate based on race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need.