Assistant Manager (Inventory & Distribution Operations)

Gulf Coast Blood•Houston, TX

16d

About The Position

The Assistant Manager, Inventory & Distribution oversees inventory planning, product distribution, customer fulfillment, and operational performance to ensure safe, compliant, and efficient management of blood components and related products. The role leads Inventory Supervisors and supports Inventory Team Leads and distribution personnel while coordinating demand planning, product allocation, imports and exports, customer service, and continuous improvement. It works closely with Hospital Services, Component Production, Quality, Logistics, Donor Collections, and external blood centers to optimize inventory utilization, maintain service levels, and support organizational objectives. The position oversees daily inventory and distribution operations, evaluates inventory and demand information, adjusts allocation strategies, manages customer and specialty requests, and coordinates product transfers and resource sharing. It is also responsible for quality and regulatory compliance, investigations and corrective actions, employee leadership and development, competency training, KPI monitoring, and process improvement. The role operates in laboratory, manufacturing, cleanroom, and biologics-processing environments. It may require shift work, weekends, holidays, overtime, and participation in emergency or critical product processing activities. Travel is not required. Physical demands include frequent computer and office machinery use, remaining stationary, lifting or moving materials up to 50 pounds, standing for extended periods, repetitive laboratory activities, and wearing required PPE. Team-lift requirements apply.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
5–8 years of progressive laboratory, supply chain, manufacturing, or operational experience.
1–3 years of supervisory or people leadership experience.
Experience working in FDA-regulated or highly regulated healthcare environments.
Demonstrated advanced knowledge of manufacturing operations.
Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
Strong communication, problem-solving, and critical-thinking abilities.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to work in laboratory, manufacturing, and refrigerated environments and wear required personal protective equipment.
Ability to stand for extended periods and perform repetitive laboratory activities.
Ability to frequently operate a computer and other office machinery and remain in a stationary position.
Ability to frequently lift and/or move materials up to 50 pounds and follow team-lift requirements.
Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Willingness and availability to work shifts, weekends, holidays, and overtime as needed, including emergency or critical product processing activities.

Nice To Haves

Preferred degree fields include Medical Technology, Clinical Laboratory Science, Biology, Chemistry, Life Sciences, Business Administration, Supply Chain, or a related discipline.
Current HIPAA certification.
Familiarity with continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean or Six Sigma, or structured laboratory improvement programs.
Knowledge of FDA regulations, AABB Standards, FACT Standards, cGMP, CAPA, RC, and quality management systems.
Experience working in a cleanroom or controlled manufacturing environment.
Experience managing quality systems and regulatory inspections.
Demonstrated advanced knowledge of blood component processing.

Responsibilities

Direct daily inventory and distribution operations to maintain product availability, inventory accuracy, and customer service performance.
Review inventory dashboards, production reports, release projections, operational metrics, utilization trends, standing orders, and customer demand patterns to forecast inventory needs.
Evaluate inventory and distribution requirements and adjust product allocation strategies to meet customer commitments and minimize waste.
Manage fulfillment of hospital and specialty product requests, customer orders, standing orders, and emergency product requests.
Oversee imports, exports, resource sharing, inter-center product transfers, product acquisition, and specialty product distribution.
Coordinate with Component Production, QC Laboratory, Hospital Services, Logistics, Donor Collections, and external blood centers to align supply and demand.
Monitor anticipated platelet, red blood cell, plasma, and specialty product releases and identify shortages, excess inventory, inventory risks, and potential outdates.
Maintain appropriate inventory levels and ensure proper stock rotation, product integrity, traceability, and waste reduction.
Oversee distribution logistics for customer shipments, special research programs, and external laboratory partnerships.
Monitor workflow, staffing levels, supply availability, documentation completion, and departmental organization to ensure operational readiness.
Resolve operational issues and serve as an escalation point for inventory, distribution, and customer service concerns.
Ensure compliance with FDA, AABB, cGMP, organizational policies, and applicable regulatory requirements.
Lead investigations into inventory variances, customer complaints, operational incidents, and quality events; initiate and manage Quality Events, corrective actions, and root-cause investigations.
Monitor Hospital Quality Metrics and operational compliance indicators; support audits, regulatory inspections, and quality improvement initiatives.
Directly supervise Inventory Supervisors and provide leadership support to Inventory Team Leads and Inventory Specialists.
Set performance expectations; review performance; conduct evaluations; support succession planning and staff development; and hold team members accountable.
Manage staffing, scheduling, PTO administration, timecard reviews, and overtime monitoring.
Participate in recruitment, interviewing, selection, hiring, onboarding, and retention activities.
Coach and mentor supervisors and team leaders; foster accountability, collaboration, safety, customer service, and continuous improvement.
Ensure employees maintain required competencies through training, coaching, and development activities.
Support training in inventory management, distribution operations, regulatory compliance, and customer service.
Track and analyze departmental KPIs and operational reports; identify improvement opportunities, develop action plans, and drive accountability.
Lead process improvements focused on inventory optimization, service performance, waste reduction, and operational efficiency.
Participate in strategic planning and departmental initiatives and promote continuous learning and industry best practices.
Plan and assign work, provide day-to-day staff direction, and assist the Manager with employee relations matters, operational issues, workplace concerns, and corrective action processes.
Comply with organizational policies, safety rules, and standards, and report actual or potential violations to the appropriate supervisor or manager.
Embody the organization's Core Values of Commitment, Integrity, and Respect and help create experiences that inspire others to save lives.