Global Inventory Lead

Global Inventory Lead

Position Summary

The Global Inventory Manager is responsible for developing and executing the company's global inventory strategy to optimize working capital, improve inventory performance, maintain customer service levels, and support market lead-time requirements across all manufacturing and distribution locations. This role partners closely with Finance, Sales, Supply Chain, Operations, and Plant Leadership to establish global and site-level inventory targets, monitor inventory health, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

The Global Inventory Manager owns the creation, implementation, and governance of the company's Global Inventory Management Policy and leads analysis of inventory impacts resulting from forecast accuracy and demand planning performance. Additionally, this role is responsible for project-focused Supply Planning activities for the Leuven Distribution Center and Poland Panel Shop, ensuring material availability, adherence to customer delivery commitments, and support of project requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Global Inventory Strategy & Governance

Develop and maintain a comprehensive Global Inventory Management Policy, including inventory classification, stocking strategies, target-setting methodologies, and governance processes.

Establish standardized inventory management practices across all regions, plants, and distribution centers.

Drive global inventory optimization initiatives that support service, working capital, and profitability objectives.

Ensure alignment between inventory strategies and corporate financial goals.

Define inventory governance standards and ensure compliance across all facilities.

Inventory Target Setting & Working Capital Management

Partner with Finance to establish annual and quarterly inventory investment targets and working capital objectives.

Collaborate with Sales, Operations, and Supply Chain teams to determine global and plant-level inventory targets based on business requirements, forecasted demand, customer service expectations, and market lead-time commitments.

Balance inventory investment against service level objectives and lead-time performance requirements.

Monitor inventory performance against established targets and implement corrective actions where needed.

Forecast Accuracy & Inventory Impact Management

Analyze the impact of forecast accuracy, forecast bias, and demand variability on inventory levels and working capital.

Quantify and communicate the financial and operational inventory impacts caused by forecast inaccuracies.

Develop and publish regular reports highlighting inventory exposure and opportunities resulting from forecast performance.

Partner with Sales, Demand Planning, and Operations teams to identify root causes and corrective actions for forecast-related inventory issues.

Drive accountability through KPI reporting and continuous improvement initiatives focused on forecast reliability.

Supply Planning Own Supply Planning activities for the Leuven Distribution Center and Poland Panel Shop with a primary focus on project-related demand.

Own Supply Planning activities for the Leuven Distribution Center and Poland Panel Shop with a high focus on project-related demand.

Develop and maintain supply plans that ensure material availability while meeting customer service level targets and market lead-time requirements.

Coordinate with Procurement, Manufacturing, Project Management, and Operations teams to balance capacity, inventory investment, project delivery schedules, and customer commitments.

Identify and mitigate supply and material risks that may negatively impact project execution, service levels, or lead-time performance.

Reporting & Performance Management

Develop and maintain global inventory dashboards, KPIs, and executive reporting packages.

Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual inventory performance reviews for senior leadership.

Monitor and report key metrics including:

DIOH Global/ DOH Plant Level

Days Inventory Outstanding (DIO)

Inventory Value

Working Capital Performance

Excess and Obsolete Inventory

Service Levels

Market Lead- Time Performance

Forecast Accuracy

Forecast Bias

Project Material Availability

Inventory Target Attainment

Present recommendations and business insights to executive and functional leadership teams.

Cross-Functional Leadership

Serve as the primary liaison between Finance, Sales, Supply Chain, Demand Planning, Operations, Procurement, and Manufacturing regarding inventory and supply planning performance.

Facilitate inventory target reviews and business alignment discussions.

Support Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) and Integrated Business Planning (IBP) processes.

Influence decision-making through data-driven analysis and strategic recommendations.

Continuous Improvement

Lead global inventory optimization and process improvement initiatives.

Implement inventory management best practices and standard methodologies across the organization.

Identify opportunities for system enhancements, improved planning processes, and better inventory visibility.

Support ERP, planning system, and analytics improvements related to inventory management and supply planning.

Key Competencies

Strategic Inventory Management

Working Capital Optimization

Financial Acumen

Demand Planning & Forecast Analysis

Data Analytics & Reporting

Cross-Functional Leadership

Executive Communication

Process Improvement

Change Management

Global Business Perspective

Success Measures

Achievement of global and plant-level inventory targets.

Maintenance and improvement of customer service level performance.

Improved DIOH, working capital performance, and inventory health metrics.

Reduction in excess and obsolete inventory.

Improved visibility and management of forecast-driven inventory impacts.

Successful implementation and compliance with the Global Inventory Management Policy.

Effective support of project execution through timely and accurate supply planning for Leuven Distribution and Poland Panel Shop.

Enhanced collaboration between Finance, Sales, Supply Chain, Operations, and Project teams.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Business Administration, Finance, Operations Management, Engineering, or related field.

7+ years of experience in inventory management, supply chain planning, materials management, or operations.

3+ years of experience in a global or multi-site manufacturing environment.

Strong understanding of inventory planning, forecasting, demand management, and working capital principles.

Experience collaborating with Finance and commercial organizations on inventory and business planning initiatives.

Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills.

Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Power BI, and SAP

Strong communication and executive presentation skills.

Preferred Qualifications

MBA or Master's degree in Supply Chain, Finance, or Business.

APICS/ASCM certification (CPIM, CSCP) or equivalent.

Experience with S&OP and Integrated Business Planning processes.

Experience leading global inventory optimization programs.

Knowledge of statistical forecasting and inventory modeling techniques.