Inventory Supervisor

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the general direction of the Purchasing Manager, the Inventory Supervisor is responsible for overseeing and supervising daily inventory control, material handling, shipping, and receiving operations. This position provides leadership, direction, and support to inventory personnel while ensuring accurate, timely, and efficient management of direct components, raw materials, and consumables.

The Inventory Supervisor is responsible for maintaining inventory accuracy within the Global Shop system, coordinating material flow to support production schedules, overseeing receiving and shipping activities, and ensuring compliance with established inventory, material handling, and safety procedures. The Supervisor serves as a key point of contact between Inventory, Purchasing, Production, Quality, and other departments to ensure materials are available, properly documented, and ready for use.

This position is also responsible for employee training and development, workload coordination, inventory audits, identifying process improvements, resolving inventory discrepancies, and supporting departmental goals and continuous improvement initiatives.

POSITION DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supervise and coordinate the daily activities of inventory, shipping, receiving, and material handling personnel.
• Provide leadership, direction, coaching, and support to inventory team members to ensure departmental goals and expectations are met.
• Assign and prioritize daily work based on production requirements, inventory needs, shipping/receiving demands, and business priorities.
• Train new and existing employees on inventory procedures, material handling, data entry, system transactions, safety requirements, and company policies.
• Monitor employee performance and provide ongoing feedback, coaching, and support to promote productivity, accountability, and professional development.
• Maintain accurate inventory records for direct components, materials, and consumables within the Global Shop system.
• Monitor inventory levels, usage, and production requirements to help ensure materials are available when needed and minimize shortages or excess inventory.
• Submit purchase requisitions for consumables and other materials based on production schedules, inventory levels, lead times, and anticipated requirements.
• Oversee shipping and receiving activities to ensure materials are received, inspected, documented, labeled, stored, and issued appropriately.
• Ensure all inventory transactions, receipts, transfers, adjustments, and material movements are accurately recorded and completed in a timely manner.
• Conduct and/or coordinate cycle counts, physical inventory activities, and inventory audits; investigate and resolve discrepancies.
• Identify trends, risks, and opportunities related to inventory accuracy, material usage, shortages, damage, obsolescence, and incoming material quality.
• Partner with Quality personnel to identify, segregate, document, and communicate nonconforming or questionable materials.
• Collaborate with Production to ensure materials are available, staged, and properly prepared to support production schedules.
• Work closely with Purchasing to communicate material requirements, shortages, supplier issues, and changes in demand.
• Monitor material flow throughout the facility and ensure proper storage, identification, labeling, and organization of inventory.
• Ensure inventory areas, storage locations, and material handling practices are maintained in an organized, safe, and efficient manner.
• Operate forklifts, pallet jacks, and other material handling equipment as required and ensure team members follow applicable safety procedures.
• Monitor compliance with company policies, inventory procedures, safety requirements, and material handling standards.
• Assist with the development, implementation, and improvement of inventory control procedures and work instructions.
• Support the Purchasing Manager with inventory reporting, audits, metrics, investigations, and other departmental initiatives.
• Develop and maintain inventory-related reports and communicate key issues, trends, and performance indicators to management.
• Proactively identify opportunities to improve inventory accuracy, material flow, productivity, and overall departmental efficiency.
• Participate in cross-functional meetings and projects involving Purchasing, Production, Quality, Operations, and other departments.
• Address day-to-day inventory issues and escalate significant operational, material, or personnel concerns to management as appropriate.
• Assist with employee scheduling, coverage, and workload planning to maintain adequate departmental support.
• Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork, safety, accuracy, and continuous improvement.
• Perform other duties, projects, and responsibilities as assigned.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Strong leadership, supervisory, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Ability to effectively direct, coach, train, and develop employees.
• Strong organizational, planning, and time management skills.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and analytical skills.
• Excellent attention to detail with a strong focus on inventory accuracy and data integrity.
• Proficiency with inventory management systems; Global Shop experience preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Ability to analyze inventory data, identify discrepancies, and implement corrective actions.
• Ability to communicate effectively with employees at all levels and collaborate across departments.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and take ownership of departmental responsibilities.
• Working knowledge of inventory control, material handling, shipping/receiving, and warehouse practices.
• Ability to safely operate forklifts and other material handling equipment, as required.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive operational and employee information appropriately.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Education

High school diploma or equivalent required.

Additional education or coursework in supply chain management, logistics, business administration, operations, or a related field is preferred.

Experience

• 3-5+ years of experience in inventory control, materials management, warehouse operations, shipping/receiving, or a related manufacturing environment.
• 1-2+ years of supervisory, lead, or team leadership experience preferred.
• Experience working with ERP or inventory management systems; Global Shop experience preferred.
• Experience conducting cycle counts, physical inventories, inventory reconciliations, and resolving inventory discrepancies preferred.
• Experience working in a manufacturing environment and supporting production material requirements preferred.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Directly supervise and coordinate the daily activities of inventory personnel.
• Provide training, coaching, performance feedback, and ongoing development to team members.
• Assist management with employee performance evaluations, staffing needs, scheduling, and disciplinary matters as appropriate.
• Establish daily priorities and ensure work assignments are completed accurately, safely, and on schedule.
• Promote adherence to company policies, procedures, safety standards, and inventory control practices.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for day-to-day inventory team issues and operational concerns.

Physical Demands

Lift/Carry

• 10 lbs or less O

• 11-20 lbs O

• 21-50 lbs N

• 51-100 lbs N

• Over 100 lbs N

Push/Pull

• 12 lbs or less O

• 13-25 lbs O

• 26-40 lbs N

• 41-100 lbs N

Other Physical Requirements

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position such as working at a desk on a computer for prolonged periods of time.

• The ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.

• The ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

• This position requires the ability to navigate and access all areas of our campus.

• Ability to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - Required Safety Glasses

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position requires an on-site presence. Working conditions are normal for a manufacturing environment and an office environment but may be noisy at times. Work may require occasional weekend and/or evening work. Work is performed in an indoor and outdoor field environment; travel from site to site; exposure to noise, dust, grease, smoke, fumes, noxious odors, gases, mechanical and electrical hazards, and all types of weather and temperature conditions.