Manager, Inventory Control

adidas; Wilkes-Barre (Luzerne County); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401k with company match

Paid parental leave

Education assistance

Employee stock purchase plan

Job summary

adidas in Wilkes-Barre, PA seeks an experienced leader to head Inventory Control and Quality Assurance, driving accuracy, availability, and quality across the Distribution Center.

You will coach a multi-shift team, develop metrics, and partner with Distribution Leadership to streamline processes and implement best practices. This role requires a hands-on leader with strong data analysis and SAP/WM system experience.

Qualifications

• Four-year college degree; MBA a plus or equivalent experience.
• Minimum five years in a large-volume distribution center environment.
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken.
• Experience in inventory control and quality assurance within a fast-paced DC.

Responsibilities

• Develop plans to achieve metrics for inventory accuracy, fill rates, availability and quality.
• Lead, coach and develop teams across shifts and areas of responsibility.
• Provide visibility to KPIs and coordinate with stakeholders on deviations and changes.
• Maintain accuracy across KNAPP, Manhattan and OMNI systems with routine monitoring.
• Drive process improvements to support service metrics and KPIs.
• Collaborate with Distribution Leadership to optimize DC efficiency and flow.

Skills

Inventory control

Quality assurance

Data analysis

SAP

Warehouse Management Systems

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA

Tools

KNAPP

Manhattan

OMNI

Job description

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization:

This role leads a team overseeing Inventory Control and Quality Assurance to ensure a high level of inventory accuracy and integrity. The position is responsible for developing, governing and supporting inventory and quality metrics, driving continuous improvement initiatives, and supporting implementing best practices across the NAM network. It oversees system changes and monitoring to ensure compliance with FTZ standards and established procedures, while partnering cross‑functionally to design and enhance supply chain solutions that support profitability, service excellence, and business growth.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop plans and processes to achieve and sustain key metrics around inventory accuracy, fill rates, inventory availability and quality standards.
• Responsible for leading, coaching and developing teams across shifts and areas of responsibility.
• Communicate and provide visibility to key tracking information to key stakeholders with a specific focus on inventory accuracy, availability, Quality Assurance.
• Align and monitor Inventory and Quality Assurance metrics for the site through a variety of dashboards and reporting – identify deviations and initiate necessary changes.
• Maintain Inventory accuracy across system (KNAPP, Manhattan and OMNI) through routine monitoring, reporting, communication with key stakeholders and procedural awareness
• Keep procedures current for each step of the inventory control process to include type of equipment, tools and skills required to execute all inventory type transactions.
• Oversee and resolve any escalations to ensure targets and KPIs are achieved.
• Work closely and collaboratively with Distribution Leadership Team to enhance the efficiency and flow of inventory through the Distribution Center, including all projects and DC initiatives.
• Conduct meetings, complete with agendas and recaps, with Operations on key initiatives (KPIs), impact areas and needs for improvements with clear and measurable action items along with progression tracking for key initiatives.
• Drive Process Improvement initiatives that support Service Metrics, KPIs, across Planning and Distribution Operations.
• Maintain all OSHA safety standards including all reporting of accidents, injuries, damages, and potential threats to safety.
• Work closely and collaboratively with other SCM departments, specifically Reporting and Analytics, to enhance the efficiency of Inventory Control tools and processes.
• Associated ad-hoc responsibilities supporting Logistics operations

Key Relationships:

• Interface with Distribution Directors, Finance, FTZ/Customs, and distribution supervisors and managers.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :

• In-depth knowledge of end-to-end Distribution processes with an emphasis Inventory Control and quality assurance.
• Ability to manage a diverse team covering multiple functional areas and reporting lines.
• Responsible for approximately 845,000 square feet 24 / 7 operation overseeing a staff of approximately 10+ internal/external, 12+ million units, and 200,000+ SKUs of inventory.
• Analytical and logical thinking skills with excellent communication skills, both oral and written, with all levels of business
• Strong understanding of Warehouse Management Systems and interfaces, including Supply Chain IT systems (Manhattan preferred).
• Should have a minimum of 5 years’ experience in a large volume distribution center environment with a high level of units and skus, in a complex high-speed operation.
• SAP knowledge/experience preferred.
• Proven ability to achieve and exceed goals, objectives and critical deadlines with good planning and organizational skills.
• Ability to perform work in a fast-paced setting, constantly adapting to a change-oriented environment.
• Sound understanding of querying and data analysis concepts

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications:

• Four-year college or university degree, MBA a plus (or relevant experience)
• Minimum of five years relevant work experience and/or training
• Fluent in English, both oral and written.
• Equivalent combination of education and/or experience.

adidas offers robust and progressive medical, including HSA (Health Savings Account) with employer funding or FSA (Flexible Spending Account) options, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage, adoption, with surrogate and fertility support, short and long-term disability, and basic life and AD&D insurance, which can be supplemented with employee-paid coverage. Employees are able to enroll in adidas’ 401k plan and Stock Purchase Plan with employer match. Full-time employees are eligible for education assistance and generous Leave policies including 14 weeks of paid parental leave.

Employees are eligible to earn an annual bonus based on both company and personal performance. Employees accrue prorated flexible time off in the amount .4388 hours per day that increases with years of service, twelve paid holidays throughout the calendar year and Service Time Off during milestone years.

The working location of this position is Wilkes-Barre, PA.

Though our teammates hail from all corners of the world, our working language is English.

AT ADIDAS WE HAVE A WINNING CULTURE. BUT TO WIN, PHYSICAL POWER IS NOT ENOUGH. JUST LIKE ATHLETES OUR EMPLOYEES NEED MENTAL STRENGTH IN THEIR GAME. WE FOSTER THE ATHLETE’S MINDSET THROUGH A SET OF BEHAVIORS THAT WE WANT TO ENABLE AND DEVELOP IN OUR PEOPLE AND THAT ARE AT THE CORE OF OUR UNIQUE COMPANY CULTURE: THIS IS HOW WE WIN WHILE PLAYING FAIR.

• COURAGE:Speak up when you see an opportunity; step up when you see a need..
• OWNERSHIP:Pick up the ball. Be proactive, take responsibility and follow-through.
• INNOVATION: Elevate to win. Be curious, test and learn new and better ways of doing things.
• TEAMPLAY: Win together. Work collaboratively and cultivate a shared mindset.
• INTEGRITY: Play by the rules. Hold yourself and others accountable to our company’s standards.
• RESPECT: Value all players. Display empathy, be inclusive and show dignity to all.

At adidas, we strongly believe that embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) into our culture and talent processes gives our employees a sense of belonging and our brand a real competitive advantage. – Culture Starts With People, It Starts With You – By recruiting talent and developing our people to reflect the rich diversity of our consumers and communities, we foster a culture of inclusion that engages our employees and authentically connects our brand with our consumers.