Director of Inventory Management

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Director of Inventory to manage and optimize the entire inventory lifecycle for our fast-growing direct-to-consumer (DTC) brand.

This key leadership role will ensure efficient inventory control, seamless coordination between e-commerce and fulfillment channels, and data-driven decision-making to support the company’s growth.

The Director of Inventory will be responsible for forecasting demand, optimizing stock levels, and managing distribution to ensure timely and accurate delivery to our customers.

Key Responsibilities :

Inventory Strategy & Optimization :

• Develop and implement inventory strategies tailored to the direct-to-consumer (DTC) model, ensuring optimal stock levels that balance customer demand and business profitability.
• Monitor product lifecycle trends, adjusting inventory strategies to maximize sales, reduce overstock, and minimize stockouts.
• Design efficient reorder points and replenishment processes to align with seasonal trends, product launches, and marketing campaigns.

Demand Forecasting & Analytics :

• Collaborate with marketing, product development, and sales teams to accurately forecast product demand based on historical data, sales trends, and upcoming promotions.
• Use data-driven insights to predict customer behavior and optimize inventory levels for both core and limited-edition products.
• Continuously analyze key inventory metrics (e.g., stock turns, order fill rates, sell-through rates) to drive improvement.

Cross-Functional Collaboration :

• Work closely with e-commerce, fulfillment, and customer service teams to ensure inventory availability aligns with online sales and customer expectations.
• Partner with the operations team to maintain accurate stock visibility across all warehouses, fulfillment centers, and retail outlets (if applicable).
• Collaborate with supply chain and procurement teams to streamline inventory flow and maintain optimal lead times for product restocking.

Inventory Technology & Systems :

• Oversee the implementation and management of inventory management software (e.g., ERP, WMS) and ensure integration with e-commerce platforms and fulfillment centers.
• Leverage technology and automation to enhance real-time inventory tracking, order management, and SKU-level reporting.

Warehouse & Fulfillment Oversight :

• Monitor and optimize inventory distribution across multiple warehouses and fulfillment centers to meet customer delivery expectations and minimize shipping costs.
• Work with third-party logistics providers to ensure timely order fulfillment and minimize shipping delays.

Inventory Risk Management & Loss Prevention :

• Develop and enforce policies to reduce inventory shrinkage, product returns, and damage during warehousing or transit.
• Implement procedures to manage slow-moving or obsolete inventory, ensuring cost-effective clearance strategies.

Team Leadership & Development :

• Lead and mentor the inventory team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, accuracy, and efficiency.
• Build and develop a high-performing team to scale with the company’s growth in direct-to-consumer sales.

Skills and Qualifications :

Industry Experience :

• Proven experience in inventory management, specifically within a direct-to-consumer (DTC) or e-commerce business model.
• Deep understanding of the unique challenges and demands of managing inventory for an online-first brand.

Data-Driven Decision Making :

• Strong analytical skills with experience using data to forecast demand, manage stock levels, and optimize inventory turnover.
• Expertise in inventory management tools, ERP systems, and e-commerce platforms (e.g., Shopify, Netsuite).

Operational Excellence :

• Knowledge of warehousing, fulfillment operations, and 3PL (third-party logistics) management.
• Ability to develop efficient processes to ensure seamless fulfillment, reduce shipping delays, and optimize distribution.

Cross-Department Collaboration :

• Strong communication skills to work effectively with marketing, product, operations, and customer service teams.
• Experience coordinating with suppliers, logistics providers, and other stakeholders to ensure smooth inventory flow.

Leadership & Adaptability :

• Proven ability to lead and grow a team in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
• Agile and adaptable, capable of pivoting quickly in response to market changes, product demand fluctuations, or supply chain disruptions.
• Customer-Centric Focus :
• A strong understanding of how inventory decisions directly impact the customer experience, with a focus on meeting expectations for product availability and timely delivery.
• Education :
• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, business administration, logistics, or a related field.
• MBA or other advanced degree is a plus.
3 days ago