Manager, Inventory Process
Company
KeHE Distributors
Location
Naperville, IL
Other
Supply Chain/Logistics
Why Work for KeHE?
- Full-time
- Pay Range: $87,230.00/Yr. - $127,897.00/Yr.
- Shift Days: , Shift Time:
- Benefits on Day 1
- Health/Rx
- Dental
- Vision
- Flexible and health spending accounts (FSA/HSA)
- Supplemental life insurance
- 401(k)
- Paid time off
- Paid sick time
- Short term & long term disability coverage (STD/LTD)
- Employee stock ownership (ESOP)
- Holiday pay for company designated holidays
Overview
Good people, working with good people, for our common good.
Sound good?
KeHE-a natural, organic, specialty and fresh food distributor-is all about "good" and is growing, so there's never been a more exciting time to join our team. If you're enthusiastic about working in an environment with a people-first culture and an organization committed to good living, good food and good service, we'd love to talk to you!
Primary Responsibilities
POSITION PURPOSE:
The Inventory Process Manager is responsible for leading and continuously improving our inventory practices across the enterprise. This role will serve as the central liaison among site operations, supply chain planning, transportation, and supplier management, ensuring inventory accuracy, compliance, and optimization. As with all positions at KeHE Distributors, we expect that all actions will be consistent with KeHE's Mission, Vision, and Values.
Essential Functions
DUTIES, TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Cross-Functional Collaboration:
- Act as the primary liaison between supply chain, transportation, and distribution center operations to identify, assess, and resolve inventory-related issues.
- Proactively communicate upcoming inventory shifts, inbound volume changes, or promotional surges to relevant stakeholders.
- Supplier Coordination:
- Partner with supplier management teams to drive compliance with inventory standards including GTIN barcodes, pallet configurations, and to-hi standards.
- Identify and coordinate opportunities with suppliers to improve inbound efficiency and inventory handling accuracy.
- Inventory Governance & Optimization:
- Lead the development and documentation of inventory management processes, including salvage guidelines and Unauthorized/Discrepant Returns (UDRs).
- Establish and communicate standardized procedures for inventory disposition across KeHE's network to minimize shrink and maximize value recovery.
- Data Analysis & Opportunity Identification:
- Analyze inventory trends, root causes of discrepancies, and stock variances to uncover process gaps and drive corrective actions.
- Collaborate with data teams to create dashboards or reporting tools that support proactive inventory decision-making.
- Project Leadership & Continuous Improvement:
- Lead or support initiatives aimed at reducing inventory waste, improving warehouse slotting strategies, and enhancing inventory accuracy.
- Serve as a subject matter expert for inventory process improvement projects and act as a resource for training and process documentation.
- Compliance & Standards:
- Ensure inventory management practices adhere to internal policies, customer requirements, and external regulatory standards.
- Define and implement enterprise-wide standards for salvage processing and disposition, including clear SOPs and accountability metrics
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
- Strong understanding of GTIN standards, pallet configuration (to-hi), warehouse systems (e.g., WMS), and supply chain logistics.
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex projects.
- Ability to manage and lead a team.
- Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and supply chain analytics tools; familiarity with ERP/WMS platforms (e.g., SAP, Manhattan, JDA) preferred.
Minimum Requirements, Qualifications, Additional Skills, Aptitude
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations, Business, or a related field.
- 5+ years of experience in inventory management, supply chain operations, or a similar role including at minimum 2 years of leadership experience.
- Experience in food distribution or consumer goods is a plus.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.
Requisition ID
2025-26727
Equal Employer Opportunity Statement
KeHE Distributors provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, religion or faith, sex, gender, age, ancestry, national origin, mental or physical disability or medical condition, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other category protected under federal, state, or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training as well as the administration of all Human Resources and Talent Acquisition processes.