Manager Vendor Managed Inventory

Vallen Distribution - Chicago, IL

Full-time - Manager

Chicago, IL

Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers

About the position

At Vallen, we embrace what makes us unique. We thrive on the diversity of our associates and the different ways each of us contributes to Vallen's success. We pride ourselves on being an inclusive company that values the growth of our associates. When you join Vallen, you become part of our winning team. Vallen is an industry leader in delivering flexible supply chain solutions while creating value for our customers, our supply partners, and our associates. The Manager of Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) is a staff management position responsible for collaborating with key business stakeholders to provide expertise with vendor managed inventory. This role involves working closely with key business stakeholders in the management of capital expenditures, such as vehicle purchases, maintenance, or leases. The manager will lead teams in performing timely VMI activities and warehouse functions in assigned geographical areas. This position also requires the development and implementation of logistics plans, budgets, and procedures to maximize compliance, ensuring customer needs are met within budget constraints. Additionally, the manager will provide financial reporting and reconciliation of inventories, guarantee that inventory audits and cycle counts are performed, and find solutions for any inventory discrepancies. The role enforces the driver qualification process for VMI associates in assigned markets and ensures the completion of preventative maintenance and adherence to standard processes and procedures on vending hardware/software. The manager will also contribute to strategic planning, direction, and goal setting for the department or function, developing and implementing policies, practices, and procedures that significantly impact the organization. This includes ensuring that vendor managed inventory activities meet quality standards and service level agreements while minimizing company costs. The position requires collaboration with the Flexible Procurement Solutions team to ensure that VMI areas are set up according to new customer expectations and Vallen standards. The manager will formulate techniques to ensure a symbiotic relationship with customers to eliminate or minimize supply chain inefficiencies related to vendor managed inventory. This role also involves liaising with sales to ensure inventory levels, new items for stock, and new item setup forms are submitted to procurement. The manager will establish replenishment frequencies within the assigned market and schedule operations to maintain productivity. Training of VMI leaders on vending machine repair and maintenance is also a key responsibility, ensuring that staff can assess issues with vending machines and take appropriate actions. Lastly, the manager will evaluate the third-party administrator to ensure that Vallen's standards are maintained, ensuring driver qualifications comply with Federal and State Department of Transportation regulations.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with key business stakeholders to provide expertise with vendor managed inventory.
• Manage capital expenditures related to vehicle purchases, maintenance, or leases.
• Lead managers and/or supervisors in performing timely VMI activities and warehouse functions.
• Develop and implement logistics plans, budgets, and procedures to maximize compliance.
• Provide financial reporting and reconciliation of inventories.
• Guarantee that inventory audits and cycle counts are performed and resolve discrepancies.
• Enforce the driver qualification process for VMI associates in assigned markets.
• Ensure completion of preventative maintenance and adherence to standard processes on vending hardware/software.
• Contribute to strategic planning, direction, and goal setting for the department.
• Develop and implement policies, practices, and procedures impacting the organization.
• Lead functional and system-related process improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with the Flexible Procurement Solutions team to set up VMI areas according to customer expectations.
• Formulate techniques to minimize supply chain inefficiencies related to vendor managed inventory.
• Liaise with sales to ensure inventory levels and new items are properly managed.
• Establish replenishment frequencies and schedule operations for productivity.
• Facilitate training of VMI leaders on vending machine repair and maintenance.
• Evaluate the third-party administrator to ensure compliance with standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management or related field and a minimum of 3 years of relevant warehouse or inventory experience.
• Associate's degree in Supply Chain Management or related field and a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience.
• High School diploma or equivalent (GED) and a minimum of 10 years of relevant VMI or warehouse experience.
• Knowledge of system dynamics, bullwhip effect, and vendor managed inventory principles.
• Demonstrated knowledge of warehousing functions such as loading, unloading, picking, packing, shipping, and moving goods.
• Ability to read and interpret safety rules, work orders, and procedure manuals.
• Strong communication skills and effective problem-solving abilities.
• Demonstrated use of sound judgment and good organizational skills.
• Basic mathematical skills for computations and report compilation.
• Valid driver's license that complies with Vallen's standards.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in manufacturing operations functions such as machine operations and quality assurance.
• Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment.
• Self-motivated to accomplish assigned tasks and goals.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick days)
• 401K with discretionary company match
• Employer-paid Basic Life for Employee, Spouse, and Dependents
• Employer-paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Vitality Wellness Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Resource Groups for networking and team building
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Employee Referral Program
• Safety Shoe and Safety Glasses reimbursement
• Employee Discounts through BenefitHub
• Advancement Opportunity.