Inventory Operations Manager at TESSCO Inc – Hunt Valley, Maryland

Position Title: Inventory Operations Manager

Want to be part of building our wireless world? Technology like 5G and IoT aids emergency responders, enables intelligent warehouses and factories, increases safety on college campuses, helps energy companies provide better service, improves safety and efficiency of various modes of transportation, and more. It enhances the consumer experience for things like entertainment, shopping, and communications. In fact, wireless technology touches every aspect of our daily lives.

Building Our Wireless World, Together.

An exciting career as an Inventory Operations Manager is available at Tessco! This opportunity is located on-site in our Hunt Valley, MD location.

The Inventory Operations Manager Distribution is responsible for ensuring high inventory accuracy and availability across distribution center operations. This role partners closely with warehouse leadership to drive process discipline, root cause analysis, and corrective actions across receiving, putaway, replenishment, picking, packing, and shipping. The position leads cycle counting, discrepancy investigation, slotting optimization, and inventory reporting to support service level, productivity, and financial accuracy.

Key Responsibilities

Inventory Control & Accuracy

• Own inventory accuracy within the distribution center, including reserve, forward pick, and staging locations.
• Design and manage an ABC cycle count program aligned to order volume, SKU velocity, and risk.
• Investigate inventory discrepancies, shorts, overages, mis-picks, and system variances.
• Ensure timely and accurate inventory adjustments with proper documentation and approvals.
• Maintain strong location control and transaction discipline throughout DC processes.

Root Cause Analysis & Corrective Actions

• Lead structured root cause analysis (RCA) for recurring inventory discrepancies and operational failures.
• Partner with Receiving, Putaway, Picking, Replenishment, and Shipping teams to identify breakdown points.
• Implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) focused on process improvement rather than one-time fixes.
• Track corrective action effectiveness and drive sustained improvements.

Continuous Improvement & DC Optimization

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to improve pick accuracy, inventory visibility, and throughput.
• Support and maintain slotting strategies to optimize pick paths, travel time, cube utilization, and replenishment.
• Analyze SKU velocity, order profiles, and location usage to recommend slotting changes.
• Partner with operations to improve replenishment triggers, minimums, and picking methods.

Reporting & Inventory Analytics

• Develop and maintain inventory and operational KPIs, including:
• Inventory accuracy
• Cycle count performance
• Adjustment trends and root causes
• Pick accuracy and mis-pick rates
• Obsolete and slow-moving inventory
• Provide weekly and monthly reporting with clear insights and recommended actions.
• Support inventory valuation, physical inventories, and audit requirements.

Systems & Data Integrity

• Ensure accurate inventory transactions within the ERP and WMS environment.
• Serve as the inventory subject matter expert for system processes and controls.
• Support item setup, location configuration, and process changes in the system.
• Partner with IT and operations on system enhancements and process improvements.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Distribution Operations, Planning, Purchasing, Customer Service, and Finance.
• Support new SKU introductions and promotions from a DC readiness perspective.
• Assist with training warehouse teams on inventory best practices and system usage.
• Provide inventory guidance during peak seasons and volume changes.

Qualifications & Experience

Required

• Bachelors degree in supply chain, Operations, Logistics, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years of inventory control experience in a distribution or fulfillment environment.
• Hands-on experience managing cycle counts in a high-SKU, high-volume DC.
• Strong root cause analysis and corrective action experience.
• Proven ability to influence warehouse operations without direct authority.
• Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups, data analysis).

Preferred / Plus

• NetSuite ERP experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with slotting tools or velocity-based slotting analysis.
• Experience working with WMS systems and RF scanning.
• Lean / Six Sigma or continuous improvement training.
• Experience supporting audit-controlled inventory environments.

Key Competencies

• Operational mindset with strong attention to detail
• Data-driven problem solving
• Continuous improvement focus
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration
• Ability to translate inventory data into operational action
• Ownership and accountability

Success Metrics

• Distribution center inventory accuracy [target %]
• Reduction in recurring inventory discrepancies
• Improved cycle count compliance and effectiveness
• Reduced inventory adjustments and write-offs
• Improved pick accuracy and slotting efficiency
• Timely and accurate inventory reporting

Compensation: $90,000 - $100,000

Why Join Our Team?

• 401K with a company match to help you invest in your future
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and prescription plans to keep you at your best
• Hone your skills or learn new ones with tuition subsidy

We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.