Excess Inventory Controller, ISG Category

The Excess Inventory Controller is responsible for identifying, analyzing, and strategically managing a company's surplus inventory. This role requires collaboration with key stakeholders to optimize demand forecasting, mitigate financial impacts, and implement alternative inventory reduction strategies. A strong understanding of financial principles, commercial dynamics, and data-driven decision-making is essential. The role demands exceptional leadership and communication skills to navigate departmental priorities and align cross-functional efforts toward inventory optimization.

Essential Functions:

• Identifying excess inventory: Regularly reviewing inventory reports to pinpoint products with high stock levels exceeding demand forecasts.
• Analyzing root causes: Investigating reasons behind excess inventory, including inaccurate demand forecasting, over-ordering, slow-moving items, and product lifecycle miscalculations.
• Developing mitigation strategies: Collaborating with sales, marketing, and operations to implement targeted solutions such as price adjustments, promotions, product bundling, and liquidation strategies.
• Commercial alignment & forecasting: Working with finance and commercial teams to integrate market trends, customer demand, and sales projections into inventory planning.
• Inventory optimization: Utilizing data analytics and financial modeling to adjust ordering patterns, reduce carrying costs, and improve turnover rates.
• Return management: Overseeing returned goods, identifying re-sale opportunities, and optimizing disposal methods in a cost-effective manner.
• Cross-functional leadership: Navigating potential conflicts between departments (sales, procurement, finance, operations) to align business objectives while meeting inventory targets.
• Reporting & financial impact analysis: Providing leadership with clear, data-driven reports on inventory mitigation outcomes.
• Product Lifecycle Stocking Review: Ensuring inventory strategies align with the full product lifecycle-development, launch, maturity, and end-of-life.

Success in this role will require

• Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data.
• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
• Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; Develops realistic action plans.
• Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
• Communication - Writes and speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Finance, or a related field.
• At least 10 years of experience in inventory management, supply chain, or operations, preferably in manufacturing.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen, with the ability to assess inventory costs, cash flow implications, and market demand fluctuations.
• Expertise in demand forecasting models, ERP/MRP systems, and inventory management software.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel, SQL, and data visualization tools (Power BI).

• Master's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Finance, or a related field.
• Exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills to manage cross-departmental priorities and resolve potential conflicts.
• Strong negotiation and communication abilities to collaborate with both internal stakeholders and external vendors.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, continuously improving environment, balancing strategic and operational priorities.