Field Inventory Manager

Role Profile 

Position:  Supply Chain Field Inventory Manager

Job Location:  Pittsburgh, PA/Remote

Job Type:  Full-Time

Status:  Exempt

Summary of the Role  

The Field Inventory Manager is responsible for supporting inventory performance across assigned districts and branch locations. This role partners closely with Operations, Sales, Procurement, Buyers, and Supply Chain leadership to maintain appropriate inventory levels, support customer commitments, improve replenishment accuracy, and reduce excess and obsolete inventory.

The Field Inventory Manager reviews inventory data, field requests, customer demand, replenishment parameters, and branch performance metrics to make informed inventory recommendations and drive consistent inventory management practices. This role supports both recurring operating processes and project-based business needs, including new account onboarding, one-time customer events, lost business, backlog reviews, SIOP preparation, and stock/nonstock assessments.

Inventory Management

• Manage inventory planning and field inventory support for assigned districts and branch locations.
• Review and execute field inventory requests, including validation of customer commitments, usage history, forecasts, and stocking recommendations.
• Assist in setting and maintaining replenishment parameters, including LP/OP, min/max, planner settings, manual parameters, and stock/nonstock status.
• Review inventory needs for critical customers and provide buy recommendations to buyers and branch leadership.
• Support inventory planning for new business opportunities, customer onboarding, turnarounds, maintenance shutdowns, and other one-time events.
• Support inventory actions related to lost business, including parameter adjustments, stock status changes, and rehoming customer-specific inventory where appropriate.
• Review high-value purchase order lines as required and coordinate with buyers on recommended changes to replenishment parameters or purchase quantities.
• Develop and execute activities to minimize excess, obsolete, slow-moving, and inactive inventory.
• Identify and coordinate excess inventory transfer opportunities across branches and districts.
• Support setup and system requirements for customer VMI and other customer-specific inventory programs.

Process Support & Continuous Improvement

• Support standard inventory management processes across assigned locations.
• Serve as a cross-functional coordinator between Branch Operations, Sales, Procurement, Buyers, Field Inventory Managers, and corporate Supply Chain.
• Prepare for and support recurring backlog, SIOP, stock/nonstock, excess inventory, and inventory performance reviews.
• Identify process gaps, recurring issues, and opportunities to improve inventory planning, replenishment accuracy, and branch execution.
• Help standardize inventory practices and support consistent use of tools, reports, and processes across assigned districts.
• Partner with Supply Chain leadership and IT, where applicable, to support system improvements and process enhancements.

Data Analytics & Reporting

• Review, analyze, and summarize inventory data to identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities.
• Use historical usage, forecast data, customer commitments, replenishment settings, and branch feedback to support inventory decisions.
• Develop recommendations related to stocking levels, nonstock status, excess inventory, customer-specific inventory, and replenishment parameters.
• Prepare and maintain reports, files, and analysis to support backlog reviews, SIOP meetings, inventory reviews, and branch performance discussions.
• Track key inventory performance metrics and support action plans to improve service levels, inventory turns, excess inventory, and overall inventory health.
• Present findings, recommendations, and follow-up actions to Supply Chain, Operations, Sales, and branch leadership.

Skills and Abilities  

• Strong understanding of supply chain management, inventory control, replenishment planning, and branch-level inventory operations.
• Ability to analyze inventory data, identify issues, and make practical recommendations.
• Strong organizational, planning, and follow-up skills.
• Ability to manage recurring processes while also supporting project-based business needs.
• Effective communication skills with the ability to work across Operations, Sales, Procurement, Buyers, and Supply Chain leadership.
• Ability to influence others and drive accountability without direct reporting authority.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to identify root causes and corrective actions.
• Ability to summarize data, communicate recommendations, and present action plans to peers and management.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Excel; experience with ERP systems, inventory tools, reporting tools, and data analysis preferred.
• Continuous improvement mindset and willingness to support process standardization across multiple locations.

Other Duties

• Support special projects and other supply chain initiatives as assigned.
• Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, Logistics, Mathematics, or a related field preferred.
• 5+ years of relevant supply chain, inventory management, purchasing, operations, or industrial distribution experience preferred.
• Experience in a multi-location distribution environment preferred.
• APICS, supply chain, or inventory management certification preferred.
• Travel required based on business needs. (10% - 25%)

Total Rewards

• Competitive compensation plan
• Health Benefits:  medical, dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability
• 401k with company match
• Paid time off

Equal Opportunity Employer

It is our policy to employ qualified persons without regard for race, creed, color, national origin, nationality, ancestry, age, sex, marital or domestic partnership status, sexual orientation, or disability. Individuals are considered for employment, promotion, or training solely on their ability to perform the essential functions of the position.