Distribution Manager, Inventory Control

The Opportunity:

Avantor is looking for a Distribution Manager, Inventory Control to deliver day-to-day inventory management objectives through the supervision of a team of inventory management analysts and associates. The Distribution Manager sets operational goals that impact inventory accuracy, material flow, and support the implementation of new inventory processes, control standards, or system enhancements. This person continuously monitors and adjusts work methods to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of inventory operations, including reducing discrepancies, improving cycle count accuracy, and streamlining reconciliation procedures.

This is a full-time onsite position at our Batavia, IL location.

Plan, organize, direct, manage and evaluate the inventory management activities and related budget items of the Distribution center. Ensures accuracy of inventory across all storage locations by executing continuous physical inventory and cycle counts. Analyze inventory discrepancies, conduct root cause analysis, and adjust process, system and or policies/procedures accordingly. Addresses complex inventory issues by analyzing stock movement data, transactional records, and operational trends, ensuring alignment with broader supply chain and business goals.

Communicates regularly with internal departments such as supply chain, production, finance, and IT, and may engage with external vendors, auditors, or logistics partners. These interactions require a strong ability to understand, explain, and align diverse perspectives in support of operational excellence and cross-functional collaboration. Manage slotting processes across all storage locations to ensure optimization of product flow. Manage the distribution center storage capacity across all types of storage, determine and execute on space optimization strategies.

Participate in monthly S&OP process by providing DC constraints. Proactively manage inventory dating, excess & obsolete inventory within the distribution center. Communicate with commercial on upcoming dating, excess & obsolete inventory. Communicate with Finance to ensure sufficient reserves for inventory writer downs/offs. Manage the corporate recoup program to ensure all damaged/defective product is accounted for and properly handled. Maintains records to accurately track recouped product and return saleable product to stock.

Direct and manage corporate governance and regulatory compliance procedures related to inventory management operations. Develop and manage key performance indicators, in support of network BOS metrics, to measure the effectiveness of inventory management operations. Manage all customer returns. Audit returns and move returned product to its proper location. When necessary, processes proper documentation to generate a prompt credit transaction. Takes appropriate action on product that is not in saleable condition.

Develops all necessary reports and documentation to facilitate accurate inventory counts including records of all audits, counts and adjustments. Completes and issues all necessary records and reports in a timely and accurate fashion. Interview, select, coach, mentor, train, manage, and appraise the performance of inventory management personnel in the distribution center. Communicates timing of physical inventories and any variances. Works with Customer Service Representatives, and Warehouse Supervisors to establish cut-off dates.

Participate in customer and vendor site audits, ensure that customer assigned and customer owned inventory is appropriately managed systemically and physically. Responsible for all training of operations staff on all operations processes. Ensures operations process (SOP) compliance. Site champion of Lean/Six Sigma/continuous improvement projects Performs other duties as assigned.

• Education:
  
  High School diploma or equivalent;
  College degree preferred.
• Experience:
  
  5 years operations/Inventory management experience.
• 5 years of Lean, Six Sigma and related experience preferred.
• Requires knowledge of inventory management procedures and general warehousing terminology and practices.
• Skills in mathematics, data analysis, root cause analysis, personal computers (Excel) and spreadsheets are vital.
• Familiarity with warehouse and inventory management systems required.
• Accuracy and thoroughness required with great attention to detail.
• Requires continuous improvement mindset and experience…