Inventory Manager

Smile Innovations Group•Vancouver, BC

13d

About The Position

Smile Innovations Group (SIG) is a growing network of dental laboratories committed to delivering exceptional products, service, and innovation to dental professionals across Canada. Our laboratories combine specialized technical expertise, advanced technology, and a commitment to quality to support dental practices and their patients. As we continue to grow, we are building scalable systems, processes, and teams that enable our laboratories to operate efficiently while maintaining the highest standards of quality and service. We are looking for an experienced Inventory Manager to join our team and take ownership of purchasing and inventory management across our laboratory network. The Inventory Manager is responsible for developing and executing purchasing and inventory strategies that optimize cost, quality, service levels, and supply continuity across Smile Innovations Group's laboratory locations. This role provides strategic and operational leadership for purchasing, inventory management, supplier relationships, inventory controls, and related processes across the organization. The Inventory Manager will establish consistent inventory standards, improve visibility and accuracy, optimize purchasing and stock levels, and ensure our laboratories have the materials and supplies required to operate efficiently without unnecessary excess inventory or waste. Working closely with Finance, Accounting, Operations, Production, Quality Assurance, and Laboratory Managers, the Inventory Manager will ensure inventory activity is accurately reflected in our financial reporting and that inventory processes support both operational and financial objectives. The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker who is equally comfortable analyzing inventory data, negotiating with suppliers, improving processes, working within ERP/MRP systems, and supporting teams across multiple locations.

Requirements

5+ years of progressive experience in inventory management, purchasing, supply chain, procurement, operations, or a related field
Experience managing inventory across multiple locations strongly preferred
Previous leadership or people-management experience
Strong understanding of inventory planning, demand forecasting, purchasing, replenishment, and inventory controls
Experience with ERP/MRP systems and inventory master data
Strong analytical and financial acumen, including an understanding of inventory valuation, costing, COGS, and purchasing impacts on financial statements
Experience with supplier management, purchasing negotiations, and cost optimization
Strong understanding of inventory KPIs, reporting, and data analysis
Demonstrated ability to develop and implement standardized processes across multiple locations
Strong project management and organizational skills
Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy
Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to work effectively with Finance, Accounting, Operations, Production, Quality Assurance, and Laboratory leadership
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel
Ability and willingness to travel domestically up to 20%

Nice To Haves

Experience in a manufacturing, healthcare, medical, dental, distribution, or other regulated environment considered an asset
Dental laboratory experience considered an asset, but not required
Experience supporting acquisitions, integrations, or multi-site organizational growth considered an asset

Responsibilities

Develop and execute purchasing and inventory strategies across all laboratory locations
Establish site-level inventory targets, reorder points, minimum/maximum levels, and safety stock requirements
Forecast demand and proactively identify potential supply shortages, excess inventory, and purchasing requirements
Maintain appropriate inventory levels to support uninterrupted laboratory operations while minimizing carrying costs and obsolescence
Manage raw materials, work-in-progress (WIP), finished goods, and dental-specific materials across the organization
Develop strategies for network-wide stock pooling and allocation to optimize available inventory
Monitor inventory aging and identify opportunities to redeploy, reduce, or eliminate slow-moving and obsolete inventory
Balance inventory availability, working capital, product quality, and operational requirements
Oversee purchasing activities across all laboratory locations
Consolidate demand across locations to leverage purchasing volume and improve pricing
Optimize order quantities, purchasing frequency, and supplier lead times
Develop and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers and vendors
Negotiate pricing, terms, lead times, minimum order quantities, and other purchasing requirements where appropriate
Monitor supplier performance, including pricing, quality, reliability, lead times, and service levels
Identify opportunities to consolidate suppliers and standardize products across laboratory locations
Proactively manage supply chain risks and develop contingency plans for critical materials
Ensure purchasing activities are aligned with approved budgets and organizational requirements
Direct inventory operations, including receiving, storage, inventory movement, warehouse organization, and inter-site transfers
Coordinate the redeployment of inventory between laboratory locations to balance supply and reduce unnecessary purchasing
Establish and maintain standardized inventory processes and controls across all locations
Monitor inventory accuracy through cycle counts, physical inventories, reconciliations, and regular audits
Investigate and resolve inventory discrepancies in a timely manner
Ensure appropriate lot tracking and traceability of inventory where required
Maintain accurate product catalogues, inventory records, units of measure, costs, and other ERP/MRP master data
Ensure inventory is properly stored, organized, identified, and managed according to operational and quality requirements
Establish clear accountability for inventory at each laboratory location
Partner closely with Accounting and Finance to ensure accurate financial reporting related to purchasing and inventory activity
Support month-end and year-end close processes, audits, and inventory reporting requirements
Support accurate inventory valuation and reporting across all laboratory locations
Monitor standard costing and cost variances and identify significant drivers of change
Analyze purchase price variance and supplier pricing trends
Support the accurate accrual of goods received not invoiced (GRNI)
Monitor inventory-related COGS and margin impacts
Identify and support appropriate reserves for obsolete and slow-moving inventory
Ensure inventory transactions are accurately recorded and reconciled within the ERP/MRP system
Provide management with regular reporting and analysis on inventory performance and financial impacts
Develop and maintain consolidated, real-time visibility into inventory across all laboratory locations
Establish and monitor key inventory and purchasing KPIs
Analyze inventory turnover, aging, carrying costs, stock shortages, excess inventory, supplier performance, and purchasing trends
Provide location-level and network-wide reporting to Management
Identify trends, risks, and opportunities and make data-driven recommendations
Establish clear inventory performance expectations and accountability at the laboratory level
Use data and reporting to support purchasing, production planning, allocation, and operational decision-making
Standardize purchasing and inventory processes across the organization
Develop, document, and maintain inventory policies, procedures, workflows, and best practices
Standardize product catalogues, purchasing practices, and inventory management processes across laboratory locations
Identify opportunities for automation, system optimization, and improved data visibility
Lead initiatives designed to improve efficiency, reduce costs, minimize waste, and improve inventory accuracy
Continuously evaluate processes and identify opportunities to improve scalability as SIG grows
Support the implementation, optimization, and ongoing improvement of ERP/MRP inventory functionality
Ensure changes to inventory processes are effectively communicated and adopted across all locations
Lead, coach, and support purchasing and inventory team members across multiple laboratory locations
Establish clear expectations, processes, and performance standards
Provide training and ongoing development related to purchasing, inventory controls, systems, and processes
Monitor team performance and provide coaching and feedback as required
Support performance management in partnership with Laboratory Managers, Operations, and HR
Promote a culture of accountability, accuracy, continuous improvement, and operational excellence
Ensure purchasing and inventory teams consistently follow established processes and controls
Support SIG's acquisition and integration activities related to purchasing and inventory
Assess inventory practices, supplier relationships, product catalogues, systems, and inventory controls within newly acquired laboratories
Identify opportunities to consolidate suppliers and leverage network-wide purchasing volume
Standardize purchasing, inventory, and ERP/MRP processes across newly acquired locations
Support inventory reconciliation, data migration, product standardization, and system integration
Implement SIG inventory best practices within newly acquired laboratories
Travel to laboratory locations as required to support integration and operational initiatives
Partner closely with Finance and Accounting on inventory valuation, financial reporting, and month-end and year-end close
Collaborate with Operations and Laboratory Managers to ensure inventory levels support operational requirements
Work closely with Production and Quality Assurance to ensure material availability, quality, traceability, and compliance
Partner with Management on strategic purchasing, cost reduction, and working capital initiatives
Serve as the subject matter expert for purchasing and inventory management across SIG
Maintain confidentiality of company, supplier, financial, and operational information
Ensure compliance with applicable company policies, quality standards, and regulatory requirements
Travel domestically up to 20% of the time to support laboratory locations, operational initiatives, and acquisition integration
Perform other duties or projects as assigned by Management