Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) Manager

Job Description

Job Description

VETERANS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

Lonestar Electric Supply is seeking a highly organized and customer-focused VMI Manager to lead and oversee customer inventory programs, including Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI), customer-owned inventory, consignment, and other managed inventory solutions. This role serves as the primary point of accountability for inventory held, tracked, replenished, and released on behalf of customers, ensuring inventory accuracy, process compliance, exceptional service levels, and strong customer relationships.

The VMI Manager partners closely with customers, suppliers, procurement, sales, warehouse, operations, shipping, and accounting teams to optimize inventory performance, improve service levels, and support business growth. This position is responsible for inventory planning, reconciliation, replenishment management, supplier oversight, reporting, and continuous process improvement across all managed inventory programs. The ideal candidate will be organized, communicative, and aligned with our passion to MAKE IT HAPPEN.

Responsibilities:

• Manage and oversee all customer inventory programs, including customer-owned inventory, Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI), consignment, and other inventory management arrangements. 
• Own and continuously improve customer inventory processes, agreements, and controls; document procedures and train internal teams to ensure consistent execution. 
• Maintain accurate inventory records and reconcile physical counts, system balances, and customer commitments to ensure inventory accuracy. 
• Monitor inventory demand, forecasts, usage trends, and release schedules while partnering with Procurement to maintain appropriate inventory levels and prevent stockouts or excess inventory. 
• Serve as the primary customer contact for inventory status, replenishment, reporting, issue resolution, and overall program performance. 
• Coordinate with Sales, Procurement, Warehouse, Shipping, Operations, and Accounting to ensure inventory transactions, shipments, receipts, and billing are processed accurately and timely. 
• Ensure customer-owned and consigned inventory is properly identified, segregated, and controlled within company facilities. 
• Conduct inventory and quality audits, verifying product specifications and ensuring compliance with customer, supplier, and company standards. 
• Administer Return Material Authorizations (RMAs), inventory discrepancies, nonconformance issues, and corrective actions. 
• Monitor supplier performance and identify opportunities to improve inventory accuracy, service levels, quality, and operational efficiency. 
• Identify and proactively address aging, slow-moving, excess, or obsolete inventory to minimize risk and maximize inventory utilization. 
• Produce and analyze inventory, service, and operational performance metrics, providing actionable insights and recommendations to customers and company leadership.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Logistics, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience considered. 
• 5+ years of experience in inventory management, supply chain, industrial distribution, or customer inventory programs. 
• Experience managing VMI, consignment, customer-owned inventory, or similar inventory solutions. 
• Strong knowledge of inventory control, replenishment planning, and inventory reconciliation. 
• Proficiency with ERP and inventory management systems; Epicor Eclipse experience preferred. 
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with attention to detail. 
• Excellent communication and relationship management skills, with the ability to collaborate across customers, suppliers, and internal teams. 
• Knowledge of the electrical distribution, wire and cable, or industrial supply industry is preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Primarily office-based with regular time spent in warehouse and customer environments. 
• Ability to walk, stand, bend, and move throughout warehouse and customer facilities as required. 
• May occasionally lift or move items weighing up to 25 pounds. 
• Warehouse and customer locations may not always be climate-controlled and may include exposure to heat, humidity, noise, and moving mechanical equipment. 
• Frequent use of computers and standard office equipment. 
• Regular travel to customer sites may be required.

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, life, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with company match.
• Paid Time Off.
• Specified Holiday Pay.

Disclaimer:

This job description outlines the general responsibilities and requirements for the position and may not cover all duties that may be assigned by management. Additional duties may be assigned as needed to meet business objectives.

Lonestar Electric Supply is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age or other legally protected status.