Senior Inventory Manager

Senior Inventory Manager

Midland, Texas, United States

AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only global cellular broadband network in space to operate directly with standard, unmodified mobile devices based on our extensive IP and patent portfolio and designed for both commercial and government applications. Our engineers and space scientists are on a mission to eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by today's five billion mobile subscribers and finally bring broadband to the billions who remain unconnected.

AST SpaceMobile is seeking an experienced and highly strategic Senior Inventory Manager to lead enterprise-wide inventory management operations supporting large-scale manufacturing activities across multiple company facilities. This role will be responsible for overseeing inventory accuracy, inventory control processes, material traceability, cycle count programs, warehouse inventory optimization, and overall inventory strategy supporting production, supply chain, and manufacturing operations.

The Senior Inventory Manager will play a critical role in ensuring inventory integrity across all operational sites by implementing scalable inventory management processes, improving material visibility, reducing inventory discrepancies, and ensuring production teams have reliable access to materials necessary to support aggressive manufacturing schedules. This leader will work cross-functionally with Procurement, Supply Chain, Warehouse Operations, Manufacturing, Planning, Quality, and Finance teams to build world-class inventory management systems capable of supporting rapid organizational growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise-wide inventory management operations across multiple warehouse and manufacturing facilities.
• Develop and implement inventory control strategies to ensure high levels of inventory accuracy, material traceability, and operational accountability.
• Oversee all inventory transactions including receiving validation, material transfers, stock adjustments, consumption tracking, work order allocation, and inventory reconciliation processes.
• Establish and manage cycle count programs, physical inventory audits, and inventory verification procedures to maintain accurate system inventory records.
• Monitor inventory performance metrics including inventory accuracy, inventory turns, stock discrepancies, excess inventory, obsolete inventory, and inventory carrying costs.
• Develop inventory optimization strategies that improve material availability while minimizing excess inventory and unnecessary working capital exposure.
• Partner closely with Supply Chain, Procurement, and Production Planning teams to ensure inventory availability aligns with manufacturing schedules and production demand forecasts.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action initiatives related to inventory discrepancies, missing materials, stock variances, and transaction errors.
• Manage inventory controls supporting raw materials, production components, work-in-progress inventory, finished goods, spare parts, and production-critical hardware.
• Implement standardized inventory management procedures across all company sites to improve consistency and operational scalability.
• Collaborate with Finance teams to support inventory valuation, reconciliation, audit compliance, and cost control initiatives.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on inventory process automation, warehouse efficiency, material traceability, and inventory visibility improvements.
• Ensure compliance with internal inventory policies, quality standards, operational procedures, and audit requirements.
• Lead and develop inventory control personnel, warehouse inventory teams, and supporting operational staff while building scalable inventory management infrastructure.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, Logistics, or related field preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and directly related inventory management experience may be considered.

Experience

• 8+ years of experience in inventory management, supply chain operations, warehouse management, or manufacturing operations.
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing inventory control teams, warehouse operations, or supply chain functions.
• Strong experience managing inventory systems within complex manufacturing or industrial environments.
• Demonstrated experience implementing cycle count programs, inventory audits, reconciliation processes, and inventory control procedures.
• Experience managing large inventory volumes supporting high-volume production environments.
• Strong understanding of inventory planning, demand forecasting, and material flow management processes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in aerospace, satellite manufacturing, electronics manufacturing, automotive, defense, or other advanced manufacturing environments.
• Strong knowledge of inventory accounting principles, inventory valuation methods, and inventory audit controls.
• Experience working with ERP, MRP, and warehouse management systems supporting manufacturing operations.
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing principles, warehouse optimization strategies, and supply chain process improvement initiatives.
• Experience managing serialized inventory, traceability requirements, and configuration-controlled hardware.
• Experience supporting rapid manufacturing scale-up operations in fast-growth industrial organizations.

Soft Skills

• Strong leadership and organizational management capabilities.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills.
• High attention to detail with strong commitment to inventory accuracy and process discipline.
• Ability to manage complex operational workflows across multiple facilities.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Strong process improvement mindset with focus on operational efficiency and scalability.
• Ability to manage competing operational priorities in fast-paced manufacturing environments.
• Data-driven decision-making capabilities with strong operational business judgment.

Technology Stack

• ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, or equivalent)
• Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)
• Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP) systems
• Inventory tracking and barcode scanning systems
• Microsoft Excel (advanced inventory analysis and reporting)
• Microsoft Teams and Office Suite
• Inventory reporting and KPI dashboard platforms
• Supply Chain Management software systems
• Cycle count and audit management tools

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in warehouse, manufacturing, and industrial operational environments.
• Ability to regularly walk warehouse floors and manufacturing facilities while overseeing inventory operations.
• Ability to conduct physical inventory audits and inspect material storage areas.
• Ability to sit for extended periods while analyzing inventory reports, system transactions, and operational performance data.
• Occasional lifting of materials up to 25 pounds as operational needs require.
• Ability to travel periodically between operational sites when necessary.
• Ability to operate effectively in fast-paced manufacturing environments with evolving operational demands.

AST SpaceMobile is an Equal Opportunity, at will Employer; employment is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.