Inventory Manager
Location: Darwen
Department: Warehouse & Logistics
Reports To: Warehouse Operations Manager / Head of Supply Chain
Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Salary: Competitive, based on experience (DOE)
About VB Distribution
VB Distribution is a growing distribution and warehousing business committed to operational excellence, accuracy, and reliability across our supply chain. We are looking for a hands-on, detail-oriented Inventory Manager to take ownership of stock control and inventory processes at our UK warehouse facility.
Role Overview
The Inventory Manager will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of inventory control within the warehouse, ensuring stock accuracy, minimising discrepancies, and supporting efficient order fulfilment. This role requires strong organisational skills, a proactive approach to problem-solving, and the ability to lead a small team while working closely with warehouse operations, procurement, and logistics functions.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee day-to-day inventory management operations, ensuring accurate stock levels across all warehouse locations
- Develop and implement inventory control procedures to reduce shrinkage, damage, and stock discrepancies
- Conduct regular stock counts, cycle counts, and full physical inventory audits
- Investigate and resolve stock discrepancies in a timely manner, identifying root causes and corrective actions
- Manage and maintain the Warehouse Management System (WMS) / inventory software, ensuring data accuracy
- Coordinate with procurement and purchasing teams to manage stock replenishment and avoid overstock/stockouts
- Monitor slow-moving, obsolete, or excess stock and recommend action plans
- Supervise, train, and support warehouse/inventory team members
- Ensure compliance with health & safety regulations within the warehouse environment
- Prepare regular reports on inventory KPIs (accuracy rates, turnover, shrinkage, etc.) for senior management
- Liaise with suppliers, couriers, and internal departments to resolve inventory-related issues
- Support continuous improvement initiatives to enhance warehouse efficiency and inventory accuracy
- Manage goods-in and goods-out processes, ensuring correct documentation and system updates
Key Requirements
Essential:
- Proven experience in an Inventory Manager, Stock Control, or Warehouse Supervisor role (2+ years)
- Strong working knowledge of inventory management/WMS systems
- Excellent numerical and analytical skills with high attention to detail
- Strong organisational and time-management abilities
- Experience managing or supervising a small team
- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUPs, pivot tables, etc.)
- Right to work in the UK
- Full UK driving licence (if applicable to site location)
Desirable:
- Experience within a distribution, logistics, or 3PL environment
- Familiarity with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, NetSuite, Sage)
- Forklift licence (Counterbalance/Reach)
- IOSH or NEBOSH health & safety qualification
- Experience with Lean/Six Sigma or continuous improvement methodologies
Key Skills
- Leadership and team management
- Problem-solving and root-cause analysis
- Communication and stakeholder management
- Accuracy and attention to detail
- Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced warehouse environment
- Process improvement mindset
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit their CV and a short cover letter outlining relevant experience to [email protected] quoting reference VBD-INV-MGR.
Pay: £27,000.00-£32,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
