Inventory Manager

To lead and take full responsibility for the integrity, accuracy, and management of all product inventory held across all group locations. The role ensures that stock levels recorded across all business systems accurately reflect the physical stock available and that all goods are stored in a manner that protects product quality and packaging integrity. The position plays a critical role in supporting efficient warehouse operations, driving continuous improvement, and ensuring operational excellence across the wider supply chain.

Key Responsibilities

Inventory Accuracy & Control
• Lead the integrity and accuracy of all saleable product inventory across all stock-holding locations.
• Ensure system stock balances across all WMS/ERP platforms accurately reflect physical quantities.
• Ensure correct stock handling, storage, and preservation of product quality and packaging.
• Conduct regular cycle counts and implement stock control procedures to maintain high inventory accuracy.
• Monitor, investigate, and report stock errors, waste, damage, and unnecessary movement.
• Act as the subject matter expert for all aspects of inventory management and ensure SOPs consistently align with actual practice.
Operational Performance & Continuous Improvement
• Support the Head of Operations in creating measurable objectives and metrics to track goods-in, storage, picking, packing, and despatch performance.
• Ensure on-time, accurate order fulfilment, minimising mis-picks and leading investigations into all errors.
• Identify inefficiencies across warehouse activities and implement process improvements.
• Introduce and maintain lean, best-practice warehouse standards.
• Maximise utilisation of WMS/ERP systems, using data to identify performance improvement opportunities.
• Coordinate with IT to correct any system parameter errors.
Warehouse Layout, Planning & Process Optimisation
• Work with the Head of Operations to optimise warehouse layout and workflow for maximum efficiency.
• Continuously improve warehouse layout, including bin locations and material flow.
• Use data-driven solutions to model resource and space requirements.
• Coordinate with Supply Chain Planning to ensure suitable space and resources for inbound deliveries.
Team Leadership & Collaboration
• Collaborate closely with managers, supervisors, and team leaders across warehouse operations.
• Lead, train, and motivate teams to achieve operational performance targets.
• Support development of resource planning processes to ensure appropriate staffing levels.
• Assist with preparing shift schedules and allocating resources during peak times.
• Help cultivate a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.
Reporting & Data Management
• Design and implement KPI dashboards for visibility of operational performance.
• Prepare and deliver clear, objective management reports with actionable improvement plans.
• Develop and report on key metrics such as:
o Picking & packing efficiency
o Inventory accuracy
o Despatch performance
o Stock loss and damage reduction
o Labour productivity
o Space utilisation
o Health & safety performance
o Operational cost reduction
• Provide timely and accurate updates on delays, shortages, and capacity issues.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Maintain strong working relationships with Customer Services, Supply Chain, IT, and other internal partners to ensure business needs are consistently met.
• Support procurement and supply chain teams to maintain correct stock balances.
Health, Safety & Compliance
• Ensure full compliance with company health & safety policies at all times.
• Support the Head of Operations in reducing H&S incidents through improved processes and staff training.
• Record, investigate, and report any failures in process or safety events.
• Ensure adherence to all company instructions, policies, and operational procedures.
General Duties
• Work with operations management to minimise overtime and reduce operational costs through efficient planning and resource utilisation.
• Jointly ensure departmental objectives are achieved.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties commensurate with the level of the role.

Essential knowledge, experience and skills

Relationship Management & Collaboration
• Proven ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with Customer Services, Warehouse Operations, and Logistics (inbound and outbound) to support all aspects of accurate and efficient inventory control.
• Experience working within a matrix organisation, demonstrating strong collaboration, influence, and cross functional communication skills.
Operational & Inventory Expertise
• Strong experience in monitoring warehouse capacity and using accurate data to inform decisions that ensure saleable product availability across all company warehouse sites.
• Demonstrated ability to proactively organise and prioritise own workload as well as coordinate the work of others to meet operational requirements.
• Solid working knowledge of Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and understanding of how they integrate with wider ERP platforms.
• Understanding of import processes and associated documentation for goods destined for resale, including awareness of import duties, port operations, and freight forwarding procedures.
• Commercially astute, with a strong understanding of how warehouse operations impact overall business performance and cost efficiency.
Data, Systems & Reporting
• Ability to maintain accurate system data to support high quality reporting and operational transparency.
• High attention to detail and confidence in working with complex, high volume datasets.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, with strong numerical and analytical skills.
• Experience using WMS, ERP, or MRP software solutions to support planning, performance monitoring, and inventory accuracy.
Compliance, Documentation & Governance
• Ability to collate and manage documentation to ensure robust record keeping practices and compliance with GDPR requirements where applicable.
• Capable of supporting cross functional departments such as Commercial, Finance, Customer Services, and Quality with accurate and timely information.
Behavioural Competencies
• A collaborative team player with a flexible, adaptable approach and a positive, can do attitude.
• Creative thinker who actively seeks solutions, improvements, and optimal ways of working to benefit the business.
• Strong organisational and problem solving skills with the ability to work effectively under pressure and within tight timelines.

Desirable knowledge, experience and skills

• Knowledge of lean principles, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., 5S, Kaizen).
• Strong root cause analysis capability (e.g., 5 Whys, fishbone diagrams).

Education and Qualifications

Essential:
A levels or equivalent vocational qualifications in warehousing, logistics, supply chain (or demonstrable experience).
Desirable:
Bachelor’s degree - Supply Chain Management/Logistics/ Business Management/Operations Management