Inventory Manager (Supply Chain)

Job Description

Company Description Luckin Coffee, founded in 2017, is focused on making high-quality coffee accessible, convenient, and part of everyday life. The company is expanding its mission to inspire “lucky moments” into the United States, beginning in the New York City area. Luckin Coffee blends the feel of a neighborhood coffee shop with modern technology, using mobile apps, digital ordering, and a growing store network to serve customers wherever they are. Technology, data, and AI play a central role in optimizing operations and supply chain management, ensuring a seamless and consistent customer experience. As Luckin Coffee grows in the U.S., the team is committed to building strong community connections and delivering reliable, high-quality coffee experiences.

\n

\n

Role Description The Inventory Manager is responsible for maintaining optimal inventory levels, ensuring product availability, controlling supply chain costs, and improving operational efficiency. The Inventory Manager will work closely with internal stakeholders, suppliers, freight forwarders, and third-party logistics (3PL) partners to support daily operations, new store openings, and continued business expansion.

\n

\n

The ideal candidate brings strong analytical capabilities, hands-on experience in multi-unit food and beverage operations, and a proactive approach to inventory optimization, cost management, and process improvement.

\n

\n

Salary Range: 80-120K/year

\n

\n

Key Responsibilities:

\n

\n

Inventory Planning & Demand Forecasting

\n

\n
• Develop and maintain inventory forecasts based on historical consumption, sales trends, promotional activities, new store openings, and business growth projections.
\n
• Oversee inventory replenishment planning and coordinate purchase order preparation, issuance, and tracking to ensure timely product availability.
\n
• Establish and monitor appropriate inventory levels, safety stock requirements, and reorder points to minimize stockouts, overstocking, and product waste.
\n
• Analyze inventory turnover, consumption patterns, and demand fluctuations to identify opportunities for improved forecasting accuracy and inventory efficiency.
\n
• Partner with Operations, Marketing, and Product teams to align inventory planning with business needs and product launch timelines.
\n

\n

Inventory Control & Optimization

\n

\n
• Develop, implement, and maintain inventory management procedures, controls, and reporting standards across the supply chain.
\n
• Monitor inventory accuracy, stock movement, product shelf life, expiration dates, and overall inventory health.
\n
• Implement inventory rotation practices, including First-In, First-Out (FIFO), where applicable, to minimize spoilage and waste.
\n
• Coordinate inventory reconciliation, cycle counts, and discrepancy investigations with warehouse partners and relevant internal teams.
\n
• Identify inventory risks, including excess stock, slow-moving products, shortages, and obsolete inventory, and develop corrective action plans.
\n
• Collaborate with Quality Assurance and Operations to support compliance with applicable food safety, storage, handling, and regulatory requirements.
\n

\n

Warehousing & Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Management

\n

\n
• Manage day-to-day relationships with third-party warehousing and logistics providers to ensure accurate, timely, and cost-effective inventory handling and distribution.
\n
• Monitor warehouse performance, including receiving accuracy, order fulfillment, inventory accuracy, delivery timeliness, and service quality.
\n
• Establish and track operational performance metrics and service-level expectations for external logistics partners.
\n
• Take ownership of warehousing and distribution cost management, including expense monitoring, budget adherence, variance analysis, and cost optimization initiatives.
\n
• Evaluate warehouse capacity, storage utilization, and distribution processes to support operational efficiency and business expansion.
\n
• Oversee reverse logistics processes, including product returns, damaged goods, inventory transfers, and appropriate disposition of unsellable inventory.
\n

\n

Transportation, Freight & Logistics Coordination

\n

\n
• Coordinate domestic and international freight activities, including inbound shipments, customs clearance coordination, and warehouse receiving.
\n
• Manage relationships with freight forwarders, transportation providers, and other logistics partners to ensure reliable and cost-effective transportation.
\n
• Monitor shipment schedules, freight rates, delivery performance, and transportation expenses to identify potential risks and cost-saving opportunities.
\n
• Proactively address shipping delays, supply disruptions, and logistics challenges to minimize impact on store operations.
\n
• Collaborate with relevant internal teams and external partners to maintain accurate shipping documentation and support compliance with applicable import, export, and transportation requirements.
\n

\n

Cost Management & Operational Performance

\n

\n
• Monitor and analyze inventory-related expenses, including warehousing, transportation, distribution, inventory carrying costs, and product losses.
\n
• Develop and execute cost-reduction initiatives while maintaining product availability, service quality, and operational reliability.
\n
• Prepare regular reports and dashboards tracking key supply chain metrics, including inventory turnover, inventory accuracy, stock availability, fulfillment performance, waste, and logistics costs.
\n
• Identify operational inefficiencies and recommend process improvements supported by data and financial analysis.
\n
• Support supply chain budgeting, expense forecasting, and performance reviews in partnership with departmental leadership and Finance.
\n

\n

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Business Expansion

\n

\n
• Partner with Store Operations, Product, Marketing, Finance, and Quality Assurance to ensure inventory availability and efficient supply chain execution.
\n
• Support new product launches, seasonal promotions, and store openings through inventory planning, supply coordination, and logistics readiness.
\n
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to resolve inventory discrepancies, delivery issues, and operational challenges.
\n
• Identify opportunities to improve inventory systems, reporting processes, and supply chain workflows as the business scales.
\n
• Perform other related responsibilities and special projects as assigned.
\n

\n

\n

Qualifications:

\n

\n
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field.
\n
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in inventory management, supply chain operations, warehousing, or logistics, preferably within a multi-unit coffee, beverage, restaurant, or foodservice organization.
\n
• Demonstrated experience managing inventory planning, stock replenishment, and inventory control processes in a multi-location operating environment.
\n
• Hands-on experience working with third-party logistics providers, warehouse operations, and distribution networks.
\n
• Proven ability to manage warehousing and distribution expenses, analyze cost drivers, and implement measurable cost improvements.
\n
• Experience supporting new store openings, product launches, or business expansion is strongly preferred.
\n
• Experience with international freight, import logistics, and supplier coordination is preferred.
\n
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills, with the ability to translate operational data into actionable business decisions.
\n
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including advanced formulas, pivot tables, and data analysis.
\n
• Experience with inventory management systems, ERP platforms, or warehouse management systems (WMS).
\n
• Strong understanding of inventory forecasting, inventory turnover, safety stock management, and supply chain cost optimization.
\n
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and project management skills.
\n
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to coordinate effectively across departments and external service providers.
\n
• Ability to prioritize competing demands, adapt to changing business needs, and operate effectively in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
\n
• High level of accountability, attention to detail, and commitment to operational excellence.
\n
• Professional proficiency in English is required.
\n
• Mandarin Chinese proficiency is strongly preferred to facilitate coordination with international supply chain stakeholders and suppliers.
\n

\n

\n

Luckin Coffee USA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We value diverse perspectives and are committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful workplace.