Inventory Operations Assistant Manager

The Assistant Inventory Control Manager is responsible for leading and executing inventory control operations for a large-scale, fast-paced distribution environment. This role oversees shift-level execution across receiving, server and rack kitting, detrash, stockroom, and material delivery to production , ensuring material flows efficiently from dock to point of use in alignment with production schedules.

This position directly supports production readiness by ensuring timely receipt, accurate inventory movement, and on-time delivery of materials for each production order. The Assistant Manager provides daily leadership to 2 Supervisors and 6 Assistant Supervisors , with indirect oversight of 110+ hourly employees , and is accountable for shift performance, operational metrics, and issue resolution.

The role operates on a WednesdayThursday shift (6:00 AM 6:00 PM) , with Wednesday rotating weekly , and requires a hands-on leader with strong experience in dock operations, inventory control, and high-volume material flow environments .

• Lead and execute end-to-end inventory control operations for the assigned shift, including receiving, kitting, detrash, stockroom, and material delivery to production.

• Provide direct leadership to Supervisors and Assistant Supervisors, ensuring clear expectations, accountability, and consistent execution across all functional areas.

• Oversee daily labor planning, work prioritization, and resource allocation to meet production demand and service level commitments.

• Coach leaders on performance management, problem solving, and team engagement; address performance gaps through feedback and corrective action as needed.

• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement across all inventory control functions.

• Ensure material is received, processed, detrash, kitted, and delivered to production accurately and on time to support each production order.

• Monitor shift performance against key metrics, including material availability, accuracy, timeliness, SLA adherence, and dock throughput.

• Identify operational bottlenecks, inventory discrepancies, or execution risks; lead root cause analysis and drive corrective actions.

• Partner cross-functionally with Production, Operations, and Planning teams to resolve material constraints and prioritize critical orders.

• Maintain strong floor presence to ensure adherence to standard work and rapid response to operational issues.

• Ensure compliance with inventory control standards, SOPs, safety requirements, and company policies.

• Support and participate in cycle counts, physical inventories, audits, and inventory accuracy initiatives.

• Ensure accurate system transactions and visibility for receipts, movements, and inventory adjustments.

• Escalate inventory risks, shortages, or systemic issues with clear data and recommended actions.
  

• Support and drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on dock efficiency, material flow, and reduction of non-value-added work.

• Identify opportunities to improve kitting accuracy, detrash efficiency, and delivery execution.

• Reduce rework, inventory loss, and operational waste through improved processes and accountability.

• Support implementation and sustainability of standard work across receiving and kitting operations.
  

• Strong working knowledge of inventory control, receiving, dock operations, and material flow in a high-volume environment .

• Proven ability to lead large teams through multiple layers of supervision.

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to track metrics, identify gaps, and implement corrective actions.

• Effective communicator, capable of presenting shift performance, risks, and recovery plans to senior leadership.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and warehouse/inventory management systems.

• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, time-sensitive production environment.

• High school diploma or equivalent required; bachelors degree preferred.

• Minimum 3+ years of warehouse or inventory control experience , including 1+ year in a supervisory or management role .

• Prior experience in fast-paced dock operations, manufacturing support, or large-scale logistics environments strongly preferred .

• Equivalent combination of education, training, and experience will be considered.