Inventory Control and Planning Manager

Wonder•Swedesboro, NJ

1d•$88,500 - $102,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Inventory Control and Planning Manager is responsible for leading inventory control, operational planning, and material flow activities to support efficient, accurate, and reliable operations across the facility. This role ensures inventory accuracy, appropriate product and material availability, effective planning processes, and alignment between production, warehouse, transportation, procurement, and operational teams. The Operations Manager will serve as a key operational partner, using data, forecasting, and inventory insights to identify risks, improve processes, reduce waste, and ensure the operation is positioned to meet production and business needs. This role requires a hands-on leader who can balance day-to-day execution with longer-term planning while developing a strong, accountable team. This position operates primarily within a fast-paced production, warehouse, and/or distribution environment and requires regular interaction with operational teams on the floor. The role may require flexibility in schedule based on production needs, inventory activities, business volume, and operational priorities.

Requirements

3+ years of progressive experience in operations, inventory control, supply chain, warehouse operations, production planning, or a related field
Confident leading teams of 15+ employees and executing complex shifts in fast-paced environment
Experience within food manufacturing, food distribution, fulfillment, warehouse, restaurant supply chain, or another high-volume production environment preferred
Demonstrated experience managing inventory-control processes, planning, forecasting, or operational scheduling
Experience supporting perishable inventory and/or environments with strict food-safety requirements preferred
Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret operational data and translate findings into actionable plans
Experience investigating inventory discrepancies and conducting root-cause analysis
Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, with experience developing SOPs and implementing standardized operational processes while managing multiple priorities preferred
Demonstrated ability to partner effectively across multiple functions and levels of leadership
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Proficiency with inventory, warehouse, ERP, workforce-management, or similar operational systems
Experience with workforce and capacity planning preferred
Proficiency with inventory, warehouse, ERP, workforce-management, or similar operational systems, with advanced Excel and operational reporting experience preferred
Bilingual preferred
18 years old and legally authorized to work in the US
Able to lift, pull, and push 50 pounds of weight by oneself
Able to stand for extended periods
Able to move around production and warehouse floors, dock areas, and operational workspaces for extended periods
Ability to bend, reach, and safely work around warehouse and material-handling equipment
Ability to read and comprehend safety policies and operational manuals in English; ability to communicate effectively with team members and follow verbal instructions to ensure a safe and productive work environment
Ability to work flexible schedules, including mornings, nights, weekends, and holidays
Ability to work in varying temperature zones including cold environments for extended periods

Nice To Haves

Experience within food manufacturing, food distribution, fulfillment, warehouse, restaurant supply chain, or another high-volume production environment
Experience supporting perishable inventory and/or environments with strict food-safety requirements
Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, with experience developing SOPs and implementing standardized operational processes while managing multiple priorities
Experience with workforce and capacity planning
Proficiency with inventory, warehouse, ERP, workforce-management, or similar operational systems, with advanced Excel and operational reporting experience
Bilingual

Responsibilities

Lead all inventory control processes to maintain accurate and reliable inventory records across the operation
Establish and maintain cycle-counting, reconciliation, adjustment, and inventory-audit processes
Investigate inventory discrepancies and identify root causes related to receiving, storage, production usage, transfers, waste, or system transactions
Partner with operational leaders to implement corrective actions that improve inventory accuracy and prevent recurring issues
Monitor inventory levels, product movement, aging inventory, shortages, overages, and potential obsolescence
Ensure inventory transactions and adjustments are completed accurately and timely within applicable systems
Establish clear inventory-control standards and reinforce accountability across operational teams
Lead short- and medium-term operational planning based on forecasted demand, production requirements, inventory availability, capacity, and business priorities
Translate demand and operational forecasts into actionable inventory, labor, production, and material plans
Identify potential capacity, inventory, or supply constraints and proactively develop solutions with cross-functional partners
Support production and operational scheduling to ensure appropriate materials and resources are available when needed
Monitor actual performance against plan and adjust priorities based on changing business needs
Develop planning routines that improve operational visibility and enable leaders to make timely decisions
Identify opportunities to improve inventory accuracy, workflow, productivity, material movement, and operational efficiency
Lead root-cause analysis and corrective-action planning for recurring inventory or planning issues
Develop and standardize SOPs, controls, and operational processes
Use data and operational trends to identify risks and recommend improvements
Support continuous-improvement initiatives focused on reducing waste, improving accuracy, and increasing operational effectiveness
Partner with site leadership on projects related to capacity, workflow, staffing, systems, and operational changes
Lead, coach, and develop inventory control and/or planning team members
Establish clear expectations, priorities, and performance standards
Provide regular coaching and feedback while reinforcing accountability for results
Build team capability through cross-training, process education, and development opportunities
Partner with Human Resources on staffing, performance management, employee relations, and organizational planning as appropriate
Foster a culture of ownership, collaboration, safety, accuracy, and continuous improvement
Serve as a key partner to Production, Warehouse, Transportation, Procurement/Supply Chain, Finance, Food Safety, People/HR, and other operational teams
Facilitate regular inventory and planning reviews with key stakeholders
Communicate inventory risks, shortages, capacity constraints, and operational changes to leadership
Partner with Finance to support inventory reconciliation, controls, and period-end reporting
Coordinate with Procurement and Supply Chain partners regarding material availability, lead times, shortages, and changing demand
Ensure operational plans remain aligned with broader business priorities