Group Inventory Manager

Overview

Drive smarter inventory decisions at the heart of our global supply chain. Join us in strengthening how we manage inventory across BDR Thermea Group. In this role, you will shape global inventory optimisation – balancing service, cost and risk – while contributing to strong supply chain performance. This is a hybrid role, based in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands. You are invited to work on-site at least two days per week.

We support your home office set-up and offer flexibility in how you balance on-site and remote work.

• Define and implement the global inventory strategy, policies, and governance framework to optimise inventory levels while ensuring target service levels and business continuity.
• Take ownership of inventory performance at group level, including target setting, KPI definition (e.g. DIOH, inventory turns, service level and obsolescence) and performance tracking across regions and sites.
• Drive inventory optimisation initiatives across the network, including safety stock policies, segmentation strategies, multi-echelon inventory optimisation and parameter setting.
• Establish and standardise inventory management processes, tools and best practices across sites and business units.
• Drive data accuracy and inventory visibility across systems (e.g. ERP – SAP S/4
  
  HANA), ensuring reliable inputs for planning and decision-making.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives to improve inventory efficiency, collaborating with planning, procurement, manufacturing and logistics teams.
• Provide governance and constructive challenge to regional and site supply chain teams on inventory targets, assumptions and recovery plans.
• Contribute inventory projections and targets into the Sales & Operations Planning process, ensuring alignment with demand, supply and financial plans.
• Partner with Finance to align inventory targets with working capital objectives and support accurate financial reporting and forecasting.
• Support network design, industrial transfers, and new product introductions from an inventory perspective, ensuring appropriate strategies during transitions and product lifecycle phases.

• 10+ years of experience in supply chain, with a clear focus on inventory management and planning.
• Proven experience managing inventory in a multi-site or global environment.
• Deep understanding of end-to-end supply chain and key inventory drivers.
• Experience with inventory optimisation methodologies (e.g. safety stock, segmentation, multi-echelon, make-to-forecast / make-to-order).
• Effective stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to contribute ideas and support continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated experience working cross-functionally with Finance, Operations and Commercial teams.
• A structured, data-focused approach to analysis and problem-solving.
• Solid financial acumen, including working capital, cash flow and cost of inventory.
• Comfortable operating in a transitional environment, where processes and structures are evolving.
• Experience with digital supply chain tools and data visualisation (e.g. Power BI, AI tools), as well as ERP systems such as SAP S/4
  
  HANA.
• Project and change management experience, with the ability to support and drive organisational transformation initiatives.
• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations, Engineering, or Business Administration.

• A permanent contract.
• Strong pension package and a healthy work-life balance with 36 holiday days per year (based on full-time).
• Flexible home-working policies and a home-office budget.
• Discounts on products and insurances.
• Opportunity to make a real impact in a global organisation advancing the energy transition.