Inventory Manager

This posting is for an existing permanent full-time position.

Joining our team has its advantages:

- Flexible schedule to promote work/life balance
- Telecommuting in hybrid mode
- Group insurance from the first day
- Very competitive pension plan
- Generous holiday policy
- Personal days
- Employee Assistance Program
- Free parking
- Opportunity for professional development

SUMMARY:
The Inventory Manager controls the Meat/Deli/Seafood replenishment function for all banners for a selected group of vendors and is responsible for managing inventory.  The incumbent is accountable for meeting service level and inventory turn objectives.  The incumbent is responsible for managing a large portfolio of products through multiple week timelines to satisfy the needs of several diverse merchandising programs and must have the ability to control inventory and maintain an acceptable service level to the stores in multiple distribution centres.                

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Analyzes and forecasts product requirements using system recommendations, promotions, and stock on hand.
- Constructs orders to maximize the Distribution Centre efficiency and supplier distribution allowances (for full truck, full pallet, full layer).
- Ensures all data management pertaining to forecasts, product and vendor attributes are maintained                
- Monitors inventory levels and inventory movement using system or manual inventory tracking and anticipates or reacts to shortages and overstocks immediately.                
- Analyzes warehouse in-stock to determine actions needed to improve in-stock levels                 
- Anticipates and reacts to emergency product shortages with vendors and Distribution Centres                
- Schedules product deliveries into the Distribution Centre with vendor and Distribution Centre personnel.                
- Expedites orders to ensure that product is received when it is scheduled.                
- Analyzes data to anticipate future needs                
- Tracks promotions by analyzing customer information and formulates recommendation to improve processes for the next activity
- Maintains ordering criteria such as consumption, MRP and forecast profiles, supplier lead times, rounding profiles, etc. in SAP (where applicable)               
- Identifies product overstocks to Category Managers and jointly develops plans to eliminate.                
- Works with vendors to continually improve the logistics process to reduce distribution costs and/or inventory levels.                
- Investigates inventory management incidents to verify and resolve complaints                
- Identifies issues and maximizes data availability (SAP/EXE/Witron/BW)) to make recommendations that will benefit both our internal and external customers                 
- Works with Distribution, Transportation and Vendors to co-ordinate flow of goods through the network    

QUALIFICATIONS:
- Post Secondary Education or minimum 3-5 years in a perishable replenishment role 
- Superior time management, priority management and organizational skills                
- Possess a great sense of urgency                
- Ability to think and respond quickly, and adjust schedules and operating plans in response to unplanned events                
- Attention to detail                               
- Good verbal and written communication skills                
- Self motivated                 
- Good negotiation skills required in dealing with vendors to ensure high order fill rate and on-time delivery                
- Merchandising and/or food store experience is an asset                
- Knowledge of SAP an asset                
- Good computer skills in Excel, Word, Outlook     

COMPLEXITIES:
This role requires the incumbent to have a superior ability to plan, organize, direct, manage, and evaluate inventory and implement the inventory management policies of the organization.  Job functions must be completed within an often hectic and ever-changing complex environment.  Task completion in a timely fashion is imperative despite numerous interruptions caused by phone and/or other inquires.  The Inventory Manager must scrutinize information received from Merchandising daily.   The job requires a superior ability to manage a large portfolio of products in multiple distribution centres through multiple week timelines to satisfy the needs of multiple diverse merchandising programs.       

RELATIONSHIPS:
Provides results to and receives direction from Senior Inventory Manager and Director.  Communicates verbally and through correspondence on a regular basis with Category Management, Merchandising, Distribution Centre, Store Services across all banners. Communicates verbally and through correspondence on a regular basis with vendors.
#LI-Hybrid