DC Inventory Manager

East Penn Manufacturing - Deka Batteries • Maidencreek Township, PA

14d • Onsite

About The Position

East Penn is seeking a Distribution Center Inventory Manager for its new Madencreek facility. The role leads inventory accuracy and control across Distribution operations, develops and enforces enterprise inventory policies, manages and mentors Inventory Control Technicians, and works cross-functionally to ensure inventory accuracy, effective material flow, and compliance with 5S, E&O, and ERP data-integrity standards.

The manager leads inventory governance, cycle counting, discrepancy reconciliation, root-cause corrective actions, inventory reporting, and physical inventory audits. The position serves as steward for inventory-related ERP modules and related platforms, supports system improvements with IT and Supply Chain Planning, and partners with operational and support teams to address material-flow and inventory issues. It also supports training, compliance, continuous improvement, and strategic inventory reviews.

Requirements

• Minimum 5–7 years of related work experience in inventory control, materials management, warehousing, or distribution operations.
• Demonstrated understanding of materials management principles, inventory-control processes, supply-chain workflows, distribution warehouse flow, slotting, cycle counting, reconciliation, and inventory-accuracy metrics.
• Ability to interpret and analyze ERP-based inventory data and drive corrective actions to maintain data integrity.
• Experience working cross-functionally with shipping, transportation, planning, and customer service to align inventory with operational needs.
• Proficiency working in WMS platforms.
• High school diploma or GED required.
• ASCM CPIM certification or completion of training within 12 months of hire.
• LEAN training in problem solving and 5Y root-cause analysis methodologies, or willingness to complete within 12 months of hire.
• Material Handling Certification or completion of training within 12 months of hire.
• Working knowledge of distribution-center workflows, inventory movement, outbound service requirements, slotting, replenishment, staging, and shipping execution.
• Ability to manage priorities across multiple sites or buildings and changing operational demands; use metrics to drive throughput, accuracy, and service improvements.
• Strong analytical, reasoning, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to assess issues, determine root causes, and escalate appropriately.
• Ability to influence, motivate, develop, and train team members across multiple buildings and shifts; facilitate problem solving and consistent execution.
• Effective written and verbal communication, listening, interpersonal, collaboration, negotiation, influence, cooperation, tact, and diplomacy skills across organizational levels and departments.
• Ability to multitask, prioritize, and manage time in a fast-paced environment; self-starter with strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to accept coaching, apply feedback, and work constructively as a team player across functional areas.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel, including intermediate to advanced Excel functions such as VLOOKUP, pivot tables, and data-analysis tools.

Nice To Haves

• East Penn work experience, including knowledge of EP procedures, practices, and systems (Mainframe, Glovia, MSR, Somax).
• Understanding of materials management, inventory control, and/or shipping procedures.
• Experience leading teams across multiple buildings or shifts.
• Associate or bachelor’s degree in supply chain, business, operations, or a related field; equivalent education, training, and experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Lead, train, coach, and develop Inventory Control Technicians, setting expectations for safety, accuracy, timeliness, procedural compliance, and professional growth.
• Support DC management in inventory-related training, including material handling, 5S, and scan-gun practices; establish best practices, update training materials, and monitor compliance.
• Administer inventory-management policies and procedures across facilities.
• Manage the end-to-end cycle-counting program, including scheduling, physical counts, discrepancy reconciliation, and root-cause corrective action activities.
• Monitor inventory accuracy and discrepancies, investigate causes of variances, maintain inventory-accuracy KPIs, and implement preventive measures.
• Oversee location accuracy, replenishment flow, OE dunnage, order-fulfillment transaction accuracy, slotting strategy, inventory availability for outbound operations, floor stock, and scrap inventory.
• Serve as system steward for inventory-related modules in East Penn’s ERP and related platforms, including Mainframe, MSR, Somax, and Glovia; maintain accurate inventory data, transactions, and master records.
• Develop and maintain inventory-control reports, dashboards, and metrics to communicate performance and identify improvement opportunities.
• Partner with IT and Supply Chain Planning to test, validate, and enhance system functionality and material flow.
• Collaborate with Shipping, Logistics/Transportation, Customer Service, Planning/Scheduling, DC Operations Leadership and Process Owners, Production, IT, Quality, and Sourcing to align inventory with operational requirements and resolve discrepancies.
• Partner with Quality Control on nonconforming material and product-hold processes; work with operations to address inventory discrepancies and material-flow issues.
• Participate in or lead root-cause and corrective-action investigations and identify, recommend, and implement improvements to inventory accuracy, storage utilization, material visibility, planning efficiency, and end-to-end material flow.
• Coordinate and oversee physical inventories and audits to verify system accuracy and compliance with internal and external requirements.
• Monitor material-handling procedure compliance, support and enforce 5S policies, conduct regular audits, and coach employees to East Penn standards.
• Provide status updates, escalate significant discrepancies or risks to senior leadership, and participate in strategic inventory reviews.
• Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned by Management (Vice President, Director).

Benefits

• Competitive compensation.
• Group health insurance, including medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage with a low employee premium.
• Retirement Savings Plan with company match and a 3% employer contribution.
• 9 paid company holidays, 2 paid personal holidays, and paid vacation days annually.
• Employee assistance program.
• Fitness discounts.
• Promotional opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: High school or GED