VMI Manager

About Shepherd Electric Supply Since 1892, Shepherd Electric Supply has been the first call when complex, time-critical electrical challenges need to be solved, and reliability truly matters. We move materials accurately and on time, so contractors stay on schedule, projects stay on track, and customers never have to wonder if we will come through. Our success comes from people who take pride in doing things the right way — safely, accurately, and with care for teammates and customers alike. If you want to do work that matters at a company that notices, this is the place. Why This Role Matters VMI — Vendor Managed Inventory — is one of the most visible ways Shepherd delivers reliability directly to contractor job sites. When replenishment is picked accurately, vehicles are staged and loaded correctly, and Specialists have what they need to serve customers in the field, projects stay on schedule and customers keep calling back. The VMI Manager owns that reliability end to end. This is not a role that waits for direction — it sets the standard, builds the team, and owns the outcomes every day. You are responsible for the people, the inventory integrity, and the daily execution that keep the VMI program running clean, so Specialists show up prepared and job sites never stall waiting on Shepherd. At a program that supports multiple Specialists and vehicles out of the Laurel branch, VMI cannot afford to be reactive. It has to be disciplined, organized, and accurate from the moment staging opens to the moment the last vehicle is loaded and every discrepancy is closed. You build a team that holds itself to that standard whether or not you are in the room. Key Outcomes Organized by what matters, not just what you do. VMI Program Ownership & Daily Operations Own the daily rhythm of the VMI operation — staging open on time, priorities identified, and orders moving before Specialists arrive Set the operational tone every day so the program runs reliably without follow-up needed from branch leadership Ensure replenishment orders go out clean — right product, right quantity, complete and accurate — across every account the program serves Prioritize time-critical and priority-flagged replenishment with urgency and direct communication to affected Specialists and teams Team Leadership & Development Select, onboard, and develop the VMI team — including coordinators and Specialists — so the program executes without depending on heroics Coach and hold team members accountable through direct, consistent feedback — not just documentation Manage timecards, performance evaluations, and day-to-day accountability with consistency and fairness Delegate clearly, follow up on completion, and build a crew that holds itself to a standard Develop depth and continuity in the VMI function so the program is never dependent on a single person Escalate performance or conduct concerns to the Operations Manager promptly and without delay Inventory Integrity & Receiving Oversee inbound receiving for the VMI program — freight and stock replenishment received accurately, put away promptly, and manifests closed only after discrepancies are resolved Ensure PO shipments from UPS, FedEx, and trucking carriers are received and put away the same day Own the VMI team's cycle count goals — hitting them monthly and using counts to protect inventory accuracy, not just to check a box Treat inventory discrepancies as signals requiring root cause investigation, not isolated incidents to close out Flag recurring discrepancy patterns to the Operations Manager for systemic review Ensure the wire area is managed to standard — reels tagged with lot numbers, empties replaced, organization maintained Outbound Fulfillment & Vehicle Readiness Ensure all replenishment orders going to VMI vehicles and job sites are picked, packed, and labeled accurately Oversee Direct Sales Order (SO) shipments tied to VMI accounts — proactive follow-up with writers on open and pending items before they have to ask Ensure VMI vehicles are loaded correctly and staged so Specialists are never left waiting Coordinate coverage at the counter and in the field so customer needs are met without gaps Specialist, Customer & Cross-Functional Coordination Coordinate proactively with VMI Specialists on inventory needs, vehicle issues, and job site timing Represent Shepherd professionally on deliveries and job site visits — on time, accurate, and courteous Communicate proactively with sales, counter, purchasing, and branch teams on VMI status and exception resolution Partner with branch operations to resolve replenishment and delivery exceptions in real time, not after the fact Process Improvement & Facility Safety Surface inefficiencies, recurring errors, and workflow friction in the VMI function — and act on them, not just report them Recommend and test process changes that improve replenishment accuracy, speed, or team capacity Keep the VMI staging area and warehouse organized and clean at all times — a standard, not a nice-to-have Model and enforce safety compliance on every shift, and ensure hazards and maintenance needs are reported and resolved before they become failures What Success Looks Like After 90 days, you and your supervisor should both be able to point to these markers: The VMI operation opens on time and runs to standard every day — no delays, no exceptions Replenishment orders go out clean and manifests close with discrepancies resolved, not deferred POs are received accurately and put away the same day, and cycle count goals are met monthly Direct SO follow-up happens proactively — writers are contacted before they have to ask VMI vehicles are loaded correctly and Specialists are never left waiting The VMI team knows what is expected and executes without being managed by the hour The Operations Manager trusts the VMI operation runs correctly when they are not watching At least one meaningful process improvement has been identified, tested, and implemented Your team is developing and taking on more ownership over time Who Thrives Here This role is a strong fit if: You own outcomes, not just activities — a missed replenishment or a wrong shipment is your problem to fix, not explain You develop your team by raising their capability, not by covering their gaps You communicate directly — with your crew, with Specialists, with writers, and with branch leadership You stay organized and accurate under pressure, especially when volume spikes or staffing is short You hold people accountable without making it adversarial — you set the standard and enforce it fairly You treat inventory accuracy and on-time replenishment as non-negotiables, not targets You want to build a VMI operation that works without you in the room Qualifications & Requirements High school diploma or equivalent required 3+ years of warehouse, inventory, logistics, or VMI experience, preferably in a distribution or wholesale environment Experience leading or supervising a team in a fast-paced distribution or wholesale setting DOT physical certificate required for delivery duties, or ability to obtain prior to first delivery Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Outlook; familiarity with warehouse management systems Ability to stand for extended periods and perform physical tasks including lifting up to 50 lbs. using proper technique Strong verbal and written communication skills — comfortable coordinating across sales, Specialists, and branch teams Valid driver's license required Strong attention to detail and commitment to getting things right the first time Dependable attendance and a team-oriented mindset Electrical product knowledge is a plus Ability to successfully complete pre-employment screening requirements Why Join Shepherd Electric Supply Competitive salary with opportunity for growth Medical, dental, and life insurance Prescription drug coverage Paid vacation and personal time 401(k) with employer match Stable organization with over 130 years of industry leadership A culture where reliability is noticed, ownership is rewarded, and people come first Work Shift and Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 4:00pm, in office Compensation Details: The expected base salary for this position is starting at $70,000 - $75,000 annually depending on experience. This position is also commission eligible - based on specific and relevant business metrics. Equal Opportunity Employer Shepherd Electric Supply is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. Why should you join Shepherd Electrical Supply? At Shepherd Electric Supply, excellence in service, pricing, and products has been our mission since 1892. As the oldest wholesale electrical distributor in the Baltimore/Washington area, we take pride in our exceptional customer service and extensive inventory. We have a rich history of partnering with industry leaders like Siemens and Eaton, and our commitment to quality and innovation has made us a trusted name in the industry. Join our team and be a part of our legacy! Apply now and find out what’s next for you. Equal Opportunity Employer/Vet/Disabled Not the right fit? Let us know you're interested in a future opportunity by clicking Introduce Yourself in the top-right corner of the page or create an account to set up email alerts as new job postings become available that meet your interest!