Inventory Manager

Position Purpose

Acting on own initiative, the Inventory Manager oversees EWM inventory business processes and directs the Inventory Team operations. This position manages inventory accuracy and quality, optimizes receiving, put-away, storage, picking strategies within the EWM system and facility, while focusing on reducing cost, improving efficiency, and segmenting cased goods and materials inventory by business strategy, material type, value, and velocity. This position will also oversee inventory replenishment planning, life cycle management, and audit, inclusive of reviewing accuracy of transactions, cycle counts, storage locations, and bin accuracy. Acts as a resource with Distribution, Business Services, IS, Logistics, Customer Service, Operations and Planning counterparts for the purpose of standardizing process, master data, and operations to advance the technology roadmap.

Functional Responsibility

• Manages and monitors day-to-day operations and team performance to ensure smooth workflows and that company standards are met
• Manages company culture and holds self, peers, and direct reports accountable for demonstrating a constructive company culture through influential, personal behavior and actions; encourages strong work ethic and fosters an environment of trust and respect
• Develops and aligns individual goals with the department's operational goals; ensures that decisions, actions, and priorities are aligned with the company's vision, mission, and strategies
• Researches best practices, stays abreast of industry trends, and maintains awareness of regulatory changes to ensure compliance and continually improve operations
• Assists in preparing the departmental budget, monitors spending, and directs team in cost-effective operations to ensure adherence to financial objectives
• Monitors performance and regularly communicates with direct reports to achieve mutual understanding and desired results
• Partners with immediate manager to determine staffing needs;  attracts, motivates, and retains a workforce with the appropriate knowledge, skills, and abilities to achieve goals and objectives
• Provides employees with a safe, healthy, and rewarding work environment; ensures delivery and completion of monthly safety topics
• Communicates and supports change initiatives and decisions in an effective manner to successfully guide team through change
• Fosters a work environment that encourages creative thinking, promotes flexibility, and drives innovation
• Addresses employee issues, concerns, and complaints in an objective and confidential manner; notifies HR Business Partner and keeps immediate manager informed as appropriate
• Ensures compliance and consistent application of company policies, initiatives, and decisions
• Coaches, guides, and develops direct reports; fully engages in the GPS (Performance Management) process; provides high-quality feedback, and ensures proper GPS documentation of employee performance, recognition, and deficiencies

Essential Duties

• Devises effective strategies for finished goods and materials inventory to optimize receiving, put-away, storage, and picking within the EWM system and facility, while focusing on reducing cost, improving efficiency, and segmenting cased goods and materials inventory by business strategy, material type, value, and velocity.  Provides Distribution and Material Operations with direction optimizing bin efficiencies including consolidation and picking operations
• Ensures accurate cased goods, dry goods and glass inventory cycle counts and inventory management. Monitors and maintains accurate inventory (case and bin) for both materials and finished goods. Establishes and maintains EWM procedures for inventory management, ensuring a high level of inventory record accuracy
• Ensures timely reconciliation of inventory variances and adjustments. Reports weekly and monthly on all cycle counts adjustments including INVAR reporting, as well as recommends corrective action to ensure inventory accuracy
• Defines and documents EWM master data requirements including storage bins, storage types, packaging specifications, handling units, and warehouse structures
• Leads the cleansing, migration, and validation of material master and inventory-related data from SAP WM/ECC to EWM
• Develops data governance standards and SOPs for ongoing master data creation, maintenance, and change control
• Partners with IS, SAP consultants, and cross-functional teams to design and validate master data models and business rules within EWM
• Participates in EWM blueprinting, testing, and user acceptance to ensure alignment with operational workflows
• Trains and supports users on EWM transaction processes and master data dependencies. Acts as subject matter expert (SME) for EWM
• Works with Warehouse Operations Manager and Planning to analyze inventory volumes and shipment forecasts for 3rd party warehouse replenishment/overflow storage, bottle age, stranded vintages, obsolete inventory, decant, new product and segmentation strategy
• Manages Luxury warehouse inventory ensuring proper security of high value product is secured within the facility when not staged or actively in production on make to order. Reviews value parameters with winemaking and planning semi-annually to protect product portfolio
• Coordinates with Business Services, Distribution, Logistics, Quality, Customer Service, Tasting Room, Bottling Operations, Supply Chain Planning and Winemaking to ensure that inventory holds/releases, changes and inventory determinations are carried out and validates availability of finished case good inventory, as required
• Develops, and monitors KPI’s for inventory operations as they pertain to EWM performance and inventory accuracy. Aids in establishing performance objectives and monitors open bin and blocked status reports

*Other duties may be assigned

Non-Essential Duties

Minimum Requirements

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Operations Management, Business Administration or Logistics Management; or equivalent experience
• 5+ or more years direct or related experience in Supply Chain Logistics and/or Inventory
• 3+ years leadership or supervisory experience

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrates effective leadership in a team environment
• High level of self-initiative
• Strong analytical, reasoning, organizational, prioritization, and written/oral communication skills
• Proficient with Microsoft Office with advanced Excel skills
• ERP and WMS experience required, SAP necessary
• Ability to analyze and communicate daily productivity requirement along with providing hands-on commitment/training
• Ability to work in a Lean CI team culture

Working Conditions

• General Manufacturing plant environment with occasional travel
• Required to drive automotive equipment
• Required to wear PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
• Work in close quarters or confined spaces
• Occasionally may be required to lift and carry cases of wine
   

Work Standards

• Acts in a manner reflective of the Company culture of High Moral Standards, Innovation and Continuous Evolution, Trust in Team, Continuous Improvement, and Sustainable Relationships
• Communicates, interacts, and works effectively with others; receptive to feedback and coaching; voices concerns in a constructive manner
• Demonstrates commitment to safety first; communicates safety concerns; promotes a safe work environment based on established safety standards and training
• Follows all Company policies and procedures

Additional Comments

Management retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.