Director - Inventory Management & Slotting (Distribution)

The Director of Inventory Management & Slotting provides strategic leadership for inventory accuracy, slotting optimization, and operational excellence across large-scale distribution centers. This role is accountable for safeguarding inventory integrity while driving slotting strategies that enhance labor productivity, throughput, and space utilization. The Director partners with Operations, Finance, Supply Chain, and IT to ensure practices in inventory and slotting not only support business growth and automation but also reinforce a culture of continuous improvement and excellence in execution.

You'll be DISRUPTIVE through these duties and responsibilities:

• Define the long-term vision for inventory and slotting within a framework of operational excellence across the distribution network.
• Establish and enforce policies, procedures, and governance standards that drive consistent, accurate, and efficient processes.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives, ensuring Lean principles and engineered standards are applied to inventory and slotting operations.

• Direct cycle counting, reconciliation, and variance resolution processes to maintain 99%+ systemic and physical inventory accuracy.
• Ensure WMS/ERP (Oracle, Manhattan, SAP, etc.) inventory integrity aligns with operational standards.
• Oversee processes for new product introductions, SKU rationalization, and lifecycle transitions with an emphasis on accuracy and compliance.

• Lead the slotting strategy as a lever of operational excellence, optimizing product placement to reduce travel distance, improve pick rates, and increase cube utilization.
• Manage seasonal, promotional, and new product re-slotting initiatives with minimal disruption to daily operations.
• Collaborate with Engineering and Continuous Improvement to ensure slotting supports labor standards, automation systems, and robotics.

• Partner with Supply Chain, Merchandising, and Demand Planning to ensure slotting and inventory strategies align with forecast accuracy and promotional flow.
• Work closely with Operations leaders to implement slotting and inventory initiatives that improve service levels.
• Partner with Finance, Compliance, and Audit to mitigate risks and ensure accuracy in financial reporting.

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Managers, Sr. Managers, and Analysts across Inventory Control and Slotting functions.
• Build a pipeline of talent capable of sustaining and advancing operational excellence initiatives.
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and performance excellence.

• Establish and monitor KPIs, with direct ties to operational excellence:
• Inventory: accuracy %, shrink %, cycle count completion, reconciliation rate, cost-to-hold inventory.
• Slotting: pick productivity, travel distance per pick, replenishment frequency, congestion reduction, labor cost per unit.
• Leverage analytics and benchmarking to drive consistent improvement in accuracy, efficiency, and cost.
• Present inventory and slotting performance results, risks, and opportunities to senior leadership with actionable recommendations.

• Operational Excellence Mindset: Strong track record of driving efficiency, standardization, and continuous improvement within complex distribution environments.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to balance short-term operational performance with long-term scalability and cost efficiency.
• Analytical Acumen: Proficient in root cause analysis, forecasting, velocity profiling, and data-driven decision making.
• Technical Proficiency: Expertise in WMS/ERP systems and slotting optimization tools (OptiSlot, Blue Yonder, SmartSlot, Oracle, Manhattan).
• Cross-Functional Influence: Builds strong partnerships across Supply Chain, Finance, Operations, and IT to align strategies and deliver results.
• Change Leadership: Leads system upgrades, re-slotting initiatives, and organizational redesigns with minimal disruption.
• Risk Management: Anticipates, mitigates, and addresses risks related to inventory integrity, slotting inefficiencies, and compliance.
• Leadership & Talent Development: Develops future leaders, coaches high-performing teams, and builds organizational bench strength.
• Results Orientation: Delivers measurable gains in productivity, accuracy, cost reduction, and service-level achievement.

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, Business, or Finance; Master's preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in distribution, supply chain, or inventory management with at least 5 years in senior leadership.
• Demonstrated expertise in inventory accuracy programs, slotting optimization, and large-scale operational excellence initiatives.
• Strong technical proficiency in WMS/ERP systems, cycle counting programs, and slotting automation.
• Proven record of leading cross-functional projects and delivering cost, accuracy, and service improvements.