Position Overview The Inventory Control Manager owns the design, implementation, and sustainment of a standardized inventory control program across Binks manufacturing facilities in the United States and Europe. Binks currently relies on annual physical inventories; this role will lead the transition to a disciplined cycle-counting program that delivers sustained inventory record accuracy, strong transactional integrity, and reliable inventory visibility. The role is based at Binks Shoreview, which will serve as the pilot site. The Inventory Control Manager will first establish and prove the program hands-on at Shoreview in Epicor, then translate the results into a global inventory control standard and lead its deployment to the other facilities, including sites operating on Microsoft Dynamics NAV (Navision). As accuracy is achieved and sustained, the role will increasingly focus on inventory-health analytics, planning-parameter governance, and working-capital improvement, and will partner with Finance and external auditors to replace annual physical inventories with cycle counting where accuracy and statutory requirements allow. Scope & Organizational Structure
- Solid line: Reports directly to the Global Supply Chain Director, who sponsors the program.
- Dotted line: Dotted-line (matrix) relationship to each facility's Supply Chain leader, who remains accountable for daily site operations and for count execution and corrective actions at their site.
- Finance: Close partnership with Finance on policy, adjustment approval, audit requirements, and the decision to retire physical inventories by site.
- People leadership: No direct reports initially. Directs the work of site cycle counters and inventory control resources through the matrix; site-level inventory control roles may report to this position as the program scales.
- Phased mandate: Phase 1 – establish and stabilize the program at Shoreview (approximately the first 6–12 months); Phase 2 – publish the global standard and lead deployment across US and European facilities; Phase 3 – sustain, audit, and drive inventory optimization across the network.
Key Responsibilities
Global Inventory Control Program & Standards
- Design and own the Binks inventory control and cycle-count standard, written to be ERP-independent so it can be applied consistently across Epicor and NAV sites.
- Define the program framework: ABC classification methodology (usage value and criticality), count frequencies, accuracy tolerances by class, triggered counts (zero/negative balances, reorder points, high variances), blind-count and recount rules, and transaction cutoff controls.
- Establish a common set of inventory adjustment reason codes, approval thresholds, and documentation requirements, co-owned with Finance and designed for separation of duties.
- Define standard KPIs and calculation methods, including inventory record accuracy (IRA) as a count hit rate, so performance is measured identically at every site.
- Author system-specific work instructions for Epicor and NAV, and maintain the program documentation, training materials, and policy revisions.
- Partner with Finance, internal audit, and external auditors in the US and Europe to define the evidence and local statutory requirements needed to reduce or eliminate annual physical inventories at each site.
Shoreview Pilot Implementation & Site Inventory Control
- Establish the cycle-count program at Shoreview, including Epicor configuration (ABC codes, cycle schedules, tolerances), location and bin-control readiness, and counter training.
- Launch a control-group counting process to identify the process failures behind inventory variances before scaling to a full ABC program.
- Plan and schedule daily and weekly counts of raw materials, purchased components, work-in-process, and finished goods without unnecessarily disrupting production or material flow.
- Research discrepancies using ERP transaction history; lead root-cause analysis of recurring issues such as incorrect issues/returns, bin errors, receiving and shipping errors, material movements, BOM or usage errors, unit-of-measure problems, and data-entry errors.
- Ensure inventory adjustments follow approval, reason-code, documentation, and non-nettable inventory requirements; monitor negative inventory and transactions that would drive balances negative, and resolve the underlying causes.
- Maintain audit-ready records for counts, adjustments, investigations, and corrective actions.
- Prepare for and lead physical inventories at Shoreview until cycle-count accuracy supports their reduction or elimination, including post-count variance analysis.
Multi-Site Deployment
- Build and execute the deployment roadmap for US and European facilities, including site readiness assessments, sequencing, resourcing, and timelines approved by the Global Supply Chain Director.
- Work through site Supply Chain leaders to stand up local count execution, assign site process owners, and train counters, warehouse staff, and transaction users.
- Adapt standard processes to NAV 2015 capabilities (e.g., counting periods, physical inventory journals, reason codes), using reporting and off-system tools rather than system customization where gaps exist.
- Conduct periodic site audits of program adherence and accuracy results; coach sites that fall below target and escalate persistent gaps.
- Support inventory control requirements in any future ERP migration or upgrade so the standard is built into the new system.
Inventory Analytics & Performance Management
- Develop and maintain consolidated reporting across both ERPs for inventory record accuracy, count completion, adjustment value and frequency, negative inventory, aging, and excess and obsolete inventory, using Excel and the Binks Power BI / Microsoft Fabric environment.
- Analyze trends by site, part, product family, planner/buyer, location, transaction type, and root cause to prioritize corrective action.
- Lead the review and governance of inventory planning parameters, including minimum/maximum levels, safety stock, order quantities, and lead times, in partnership with Planning and Purchasing.
- Identify slow-moving, excess, obsolete, and inactive inventory and drive cross-functional disposition and reduction plans.
- Evaluate inventory turns, usage patterns, stockout risk, and working-capital opportunities, and present actionable recommendations to Supply Chain and Finance leadership.
- Report program status, KPIs, risks, and decisions needed to the Global Supply Chain Director and site leadership on a regular cadence.
Leadership, Governance & Change Management
- Lead a cross-functional inventory control steering group with Supply Chain, Finance, Operations, Quality, and IT to review performance, approve policy changes, and remove barriers.
- Influence without direct authority across a matrix organization, building ownership of transaction discipline with site leaders, warehouse, production, planning, purchasing, shipping/receiving, and quality teams.
- Develop site inventory control talent and, as the program scales, help define and hire site-level inventory control roles.
- Drive the cultural shift from periodic correction to prevention, ensuring recurring discrepancies are eliminated at the source rather than only adjusted.
Safety, Compliance & Continuous Improvement
- Ensure counting activities follow Binks safety requirements, including safe access to storage locations, proper use of ladders and lift equipment, PPE, and housekeeping in storage areas.
- Ensure compliance with Binks quality, inventory, and financial control policies, and with applicable local requirements at each site.
- Apply structured problem-solving (e.g., 5 Whys, A3, 8D) and standard work so improvements are sustained across sites.
Key Performance Measures
- Inventory record accuracy (count hit rate) by site and ABC class, with targets of 95% or better overall and 98% or better for A items once stabilized.
- Cycle-count schedule completion rate by site.
- Value and frequency of inventory adjustments, and the percentage of adjustments with a documented root cause.
- Negative-inventory occurrences and resolution time.
- Number of sites operating to the global standard, and the number approved by Finance and auditors to reduce or eliminate annual physical inventories.
- Excess and obsolete inventory reduction, inventory turns, and working-capital improvement.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Operations Management, Business, Industrial Engineering, Finance, Analytics, or a related field.
- 7+ years of progressive experience in inventory control, materials management, supply chain, or manufacturing operations, including at least 3 years in a lead, supervisory, or program-management role; discrete manufacturing experience strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated success designing and implementing a cycle-count program, or leading a comparable inventory-accuracy improvement, with measurable results.
- Experience leading change across multiple sites or functions, including influencing leaders outside a direct reporting line in a matrix organization.
- Strong working knowledge of inventory control principles, including ABC analysis, cycle-count tolerances, inventory record accuracy, and adjustment controls.
- Hands-on experience with at least one major ERP system; ability to investigate ERP transaction history, reconcile discrepancies, and identify root causes rather than only posting adjustments.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookups, data cleansing, and trend analysis.
- Ability to partner credibly with Finance and auditors on inventory valuation, adjustment controls, and audit evidence.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present to senior leadership and train shop-floor users.
- Ability and willingness to travel up to 25%, including international travel to European facilities.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with both Epicor and Microsoft Dynamics NAV / Business Central.
- Experience with Power BI, Microsoft Fabric, SQL, Epicor BAQs, or other reporting and query tools.
- APICS/ASCM certification (CPIM, CSCP) or progress toward certification; Lean or Six Sigma certification.
- Experience transitioning a site from annual physical inventory to cycle counting with auditor acceptance.
- Experience working with European operations and familiarity with European inventory and audit requirements; additional European language skills a plus.
- Experience with inventory planning-parameter optimization and working-capital improvement programs.
Physical Demands & Work Environment Work is divided between an office setting and manufacturing and warehouse environments. The role requires regular walking and standing on the production and warehouse floor; occasional climbing of ladders or use of lift equipment to verify stock in elevated locations; and occasional lifting of up to 25 lbs. Personal protective equipment is required in designated areas. Travel to US and European facilities, sometimes for extended periods during site deployments, is required. Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
