DIRECTOR OF WAREHOUSE & INVENTORY

U.S. Space & Rocket Center•Huntsville, AL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

RESPONSIBILITIES Essential Functions Enterprise Warehousing Leadership Provide strategic and operational leadership for all warehouse facilities and storage environments (onsite and offsite), including docks, staging areas, secure storage, cold/dry storage, and distribution points. Establish service levels and operational standards that support museum, camp, dining, and retail priorities—especially during peak seasons and major events. Set annual objectives, staffing plans, training requirements, and performance expectations for the warehouse team. Inventory Control Across All Buildings Own the institution-wide system of control for all operational inventory categories (e.g., merchandise, food, program materials, operational consumables/equipment), ensuring accurate accountability by building, department, and storage location. Design, implement, and enforce procedures that maintain continuous visibility and control for inventory into, out of, and between all USSRC buildings, including: Receiving, inspection, and discrepancy resolution Location assignment/put-away standards Transfers between warehouses and buildings Issuing (requisitions), returns, damaged goods, and disposal processes Asset/equipment check-out and return processes where applicable Access controls (keys/badges), secure cage areas, and restricted inventory policies Ensure inventory transactions are executed consistently and recorded accurately in the inventory system(s) so that inventory status is always reliable. Shipping, Receiving & Internal Distribution Oversee all inbound freight/parcel operations and outbound shipments, including carrier relationships, scheduling, documentation, claims, and returns. Implement efficient internal distribution routes and replenishment plans for all buildings (museum, camp facilities, dining areas, retail operations, offices). Ensure receiving docks and delivery points operate safely, cleanly, and efficiently with clear accountability and chain-of-custody practices. Oversee vendor performance related to freight, deliveries, storage services, and warehouse-related equipment. Manage warehouse equipment procurement and maintenance plans (forklifts, pallet jacks, dock levelers, shelving/racking). Systems, Data Integrity, Audit Readiness Select, administer, and optimize inventory and logistics systems (TAM/POS inventory modules, barcoding, scanners), in partnership with Finance and IT. Establish inventory governance: item master standards, location mapping, user permissions, and reporting cadence. Lead cycle counts, spot audits, and annual physical inventories; investigate variances, resolve root causes, and implement corrective actions. Maintain documentation and controls to support financial audit requirements, inventory valuation needs, and internal policy compliance. Operational Readiness for Camp, Museum, and Peak Seasons Drive seasonal planning and large-scale readiness efforts (Space Camp session ramp-ups, holiday retail peaks, major events, and large group arrivals). Coordinate kitting/assembly operations and high-volume staging processes for program materials and supplies. Partner with department leaders to forecast demand, reduce stockouts, and improve lead times. Safety, Compliance & Risk Management Establish and enforce warehouse safety programs (dock safety, racking inspections, powered equipment training, PPE, incident reporting). Ensure warehouse storage environments meet compliance needs across inventory types (e.g., food safety storage principles where applicable; OSHA standards; hazard/chemical storage rules if present). Create contingency plans for operational risks (power loss affecting cold storage, severe weather, access issues, and delivery disruptions). People Leadership & Organizational Development Recruit, train, coach, and performance-manage warehouse and logistics staff; develop bench strength and succession planning. Create standardized training for receiving, inventory transactions, equipment operation, and building-to-building transfer procedures. Build a culture of customer service, accountability, accuracy, and continuous improvement. Budget, Procurement Alignment & Cost Control Develop and manage the warehousing/logistics operating budget, including labor, supplies, equipment, maintenance, rentals/leases for offsite warehouses, and contracted services. Identify efficiency improvements: consolidation of storage locations, improved slotting, route optimization, vendor terms, and reduced shrink/damage. Partner with Finance/Procurement to align purchasing processes, receiving accuracy, and contract compliance. Supervisory Responsibilities : Level of Supervision: Oversees Warehouse Operations, Inventory Control, Shipping & Receiving Travel Required : No

Requirements

8+ years of progressive leadership in warehousing, inventory control, or distribution (multi-site preferred).
Demonstrated ability to implement and enforce inventory controls and chain-of-custody across multiple locations/buildings.
Strong working knowledge of inventory systems (TAM/POS inventory), barcoding, cycle counting, reconciliation, and reporting.
Proven people leadership experience (hiring, training, performance management).
Strong communication and stakeholder management skills across diverse departments.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a museum, education campus, hospitality, or multi-department service organization preferred.
Familiarity with food distribution/storage requirements (cold/dry/frozen) and working with food service teams preferred.
Safety and operations training (OSHA, forklift program oversight, Lean/5S/continuous improvement) preferred.