Inventory Manager - Metals

Clarios • Glendale, CA

2d

About The Position

About the Metals Team The North American Metals business unit within Clarios leads the world’s largest closed loop recycling economy. Across our recycling network, we responsibly recycle over 8,000 batteries every hour of every day. We convert the lead into the grids, and oxides that go into our new batteries. We take the plastics and convert them into new battery cases, and we have the ability to process the acid for use in by-products such as ingredients for detergents. As a result, automotive batteries are the most recycled consumer product in North America and other G7 economies. The recycling rates of lead-acid batteries now exceed 99 percent. That tops aluminum, paper, tires and glass What you will do This role exists to bring senior‑level leadership, decision-making, and rigor to the management of Clarios’ ~$800M metals inventory. The Manager will own the full governance framework for inventory accuracy across warehouses, recycling centers, border operations, and plant interfaces. This enhanced role adds people leadership, agile decision-making, external influence, and financial fluency to deliver rapid stabilization and long-term control of North America’s metals inventory environment. How you will do it Inventory Governance & Accuracy Own and continuously refine the NA Metals inventory governance model, ensuring end‑to-end accuracy across lead, core, and in‑transit categories – primarily focused on cores. Implement internal controls, cycle count frameworks, exception reporting, and reconciliation standards across 20+ sites. Lead root-cause analyses for discrepancies and drive corrective actions across warehouses, plants, recycling centers, and carriers. People Leadership Manage and develop two direct reports with clear priorities, routines, KPIs, and deliverables. Delegate effectively while maintaining oversight of accuracy-critical processes. Set clear expectations and cultivate a culture of high accountability and urgency. Agile Decision Making & Issues Management Rapidly diagnose process failures and data inconsistencies, convening cross-functional stakeholders as needed. Make timely decisions based on incomplete information to prevent inventory risk from escalating. Lead swift implementation of fixes—process, system, behavioral, or policy-related. Cross-Functional & External Influence Build and strengthen relationships with recycling partners, freight providers, warehouses, border operations teams, and plant leadership. Influence external stakeholders to align on process changes, documentation requirements, handling standards, and reconciliation expectations. Proactively identify upstream and downstream risks and lead collaboration to prevent them. Partner with Finance and Supply Chain to validate inventory valuation, ensure alignment with accounting policies, and quantify cost-of-control decisions. Partner with Digital/IT and Palantir teams to mature automation, alerts, and exception-based logic.

Requirements

• 7–10+ years in inventory control, supply chain, plant materials management, finance, or operations.
• Demonstrated success leading inventory stabilization or turnaround efforts.
• Experience managing a team and providing clear direction under pressure.
• Strong financial acumen: understanding of inventory valuation, working capital, freight impact, and commodity cost flows.
• Proven ability to influence partners outside your chain of command, including external vendors/3PLs.
• Expertise in SAP, reconciliation processes, and analytics tools (Excel, PowerBI).

Nice To Haves

• Lean/Six Sigma certification (Green/Black Belt) / Project Management Experience

Responsibilities

• Inventory Governance & Accuracy Own and continuously refine the NA Metals inventory governance model, ensuring end‑to-end accuracy across lead, core, and in‑transit categories – primarily focused on cores.
• Implement internal controls, cycle count frameworks, exception reporting, and reconciliation standards across 20+ sites.
• Lead root-cause analyses for discrepancies and drive corrective actions across warehouses, plants, recycling centers, and carriers.
• People Leadership Manage and develop two direct reports with clear priorities, routines, KPIs, and deliverables.
• Delegate effectively while maintaining oversight of accuracy-critical processes.
• Set clear expectations and cultivate a culture of high accountability and urgency.
• Agile Decision Making & Issues Management Rapidly diagnose process failures and data inconsistencies, convening cross-functional stakeholders as needed.
• Make timely decisions based on incomplete information to prevent inventory risk from escalating.
• Lead swift implementation of fixes—process, system, behavioral, or policy-related.
• Cross-Functional & External Influence Build and strengthen relationships with recycling partners, freight providers, warehouses, border operations teams, and plant leadership.
• Influence external stakeholders to align on process changes, documentation requirements, handling standards, and reconciliation expectations.
• Proactively identify upstream and downstream risks and lead collaboration to prevent them.
• Partner with Finance and Supply Chain to validate inventory valuation, ensure alignment with accounting policies, and quantify cost-of-control decisions.
• Partner with Digital/IT and Palantir teams to mature automation, alerts, and exception-based logic.

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision care coverage and a 401(k) savings plan with company matching – all starting on date of hire
• Tuition reimbursement, perks, and discounts
• Parental and caregiver leave programs
• All the usual benefits such as paid time off, flexible spending, short-and long-term disability, basic life insurance, business travel insurance, and Employee Assistance Program
• Global market strength and worldwide market share leadership
• HQ location earns LEED certification for sustainability plus a full-service cafeteria and workout facility
• Clarios has been recognized as one of 2025's Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere. This prestigious recognition marks the third consecutive year Clarios has received this distinction.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees