FT Supervisor, Inventory Management

Reporting to the Manager, Distribution Centre, the Supervisor, Inventory Management is responsible for managing and developing the inventory location mapping within the King Edward Distribution Centre (DC). This role will also manage the capacity of specialized inventory in the DC, such as unlisted specialty wine store inventory, seasonal gift packs, bottle pick, allocations, and special orders. The incumbent is required to engage with the receiving team, Inventory Control Coordinators, Quality Assurance and DC management to report on real-time capacity volumes, inventory turns and valuation for liquor inventory supply.  

• Lead the development and execution of slotting strategies to optimize pick path efficiency based on velocity, cube, and family groupings.
• Champion continuous improvement in case-picking and overall operational productivity by independently reviewing slotting performance, identifying required changes, and initiating trials to validate improvements.
• Establish, maintain, and govern item slotting rules and inventory ageing parameters in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system by category to ensure accuracy and alignment with operational strategy.
• Analyze slotting efficiency and operational performance data to identify bottlenecks, travel-time issues, and congestion points; conduct and lead post-move evaluations and recommend improvements to enhance overall slotting effectiveness and reduce touchpoints.
• Monitor, maintain, and adjust A/B/C product classifications and adjust associated strategies, ensuring decisions are communicated and executed through inventory control coordinators. 
• Develop, maintain, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) (e.g., supply chain logistics tracking metrics) using insights to drive strategic decisions and operational adjustments.
• Identify efficiencies in inventory storage and movement trends, presenting strategic recommendations to management.
• Recommend slotting strategies that optimize A, B and C class capacity and specialized storage needs., ensuring alignment with business objectives.
• Maintain and evolve ongoing warehouse re-slotting programs affected by seasonality, product life cycle, volume, velocity, sales pattern, etc. ensuring operational efficiency and pallet integrity. 
• Integrate demand forecasts into slotting decisions to minimize replenishment frequency.
• Regularly review velocity reports, identify underperforming items, and independently implement strategic re-slotting decisions that drive efficiency improvements.
• Identify, evaluate, and implement new slotting methodologies that align with labor cost reduction goals.
• Research and benchmark slotting and warehouse layout best practices to identify new efficiency opportunities.
• Lead a team of Inventory Control Coordinators, providing direction, coaching, and oversight for all day-to-day inventory control operations.
• Oversee the coordination, implementation, and maintenance of the computerized warehousing and inventory management system, ensuring alignment with DC slotting strategy and providing guidance to ICs on execution.
• Determine staffing requirements for IC projects, allocate resources strategically, and monitor team workload to ensure operational priorities are met.
• Monitor inventory levels and drive decision to ensure effective utilization of warehouse space.
• Direct slotting transactions and stock movements in WMS systems, and validate inventory data, item dimensions, classifications, and parameters to ensure accuracy and compliance with slotting strategies.
• Analyze inventory cycle times and turns by commodity and list type, identify root causes of slotting-related performance gaps, and implement corrective actions, providing guidance to ICs for execution.
• Oversee Inventory control duties, including cycle counting, lot tracking, and adherence to FIFO/FEFO procedures.
• Investigate inventory anomalies that may stem from poor slotting or stock rotation and recommend corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Oversee QA/QC recall activities by coordinating identification and distribution of affected inventories, providing leadership to ICs executing these tasks.
• Facilitate increased visibility into inventory ageing and lot code traceability to minimize disposal costs associated with reacting to expired inventory that ages out.
• Monitor logical flow of inventory throughout picking, put-away, or reserve areas, identifying bottlenecks and directing operational adjustments through ICs.
• Support inventory control teams with data validation, ensuring accuracy, reliability, and adherence to established slotting and inventory standards.
• Provide leadership through solid people management practices.
• Recruit, manage, train, coach, and evaluate the performance of employees.
• Provide training, guidance, and direction. Ensure positive morale and motivation of employees.
• Determine, where required, staff discipline/corrective action within established policies/related documentation.
• Ensure all applicable compliance, regulations, policies, procedures, practices, and Environmental, Social and Governance commitments are understood, supported and adhered to by all employees.
• Carry out all required duties and responsibilities of a supervisor of workers, as outlined under provincial safety and health legislation.
• Communicate results of slotting initiatives and other relevant findings to DC management.
• Collaborate with Receiving, Inventory Control, Operations, Quality Assurance, Retail, Category Management, and Buying teams to ensure alignment of slotting strategy and product flow and to independently plan slotting for new and promotional items.
• Collect, analyze, and integrate feedback from case-picking staff to independently identify opportunities for slotting improvements.
• Communicate slotting decisions, changes, and rational, as well as updates on major initiatives or disruptions to operations leadership. 
• Translate analytical insights into actionable recommendations and strategic reporting for DC management (weekly, monthly, quarterly, etc.).
• Liaise with business analyst to develop efficient put-away processes that optimize logic and proximity to picking locations.
• Identify system limitations in slotting processes and work with IT or business analysts to implement improvements that enhance WMS functionality.
• Other related duties as assigned.

• Completion of a recognized degree or diploma program in Supply Chain Management, or an equivalent combination of education, certification and experience.
• A minimum of three years’ experience in a related discipline, and/or extensive experience in warehouse environment.
• A minimum of one year previous supervisory/leadership experience.
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills, including strong written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated work experience including a view to efficiency, strong leadership, organizational and coaching skills, strong initiative and ability as a self-starter.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, OneDrive and Teams).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, both individually and as a team member.
• Strong project management skills.
• Strong working knowledge of sales and inventory management systems.
• The core competencies for this position include achieving quality results, adaptability/managing change, communication, customer service, decision making and problem solving, integrity and building trust, teamwork and cooperation and valuing diversity. Leadership competencies include, building strategic performance, coaching and developing, influencing and leading. These competencies are deemed important for the success of the position and organization.

• In-depth Knowledge of Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Operating Policy documents is an asset.
• Working Knowledge of Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation Act and regulations is an asset.
• Knowledge of Liquor, Gaming, and Cannabis Authority Act and regulations is an asset.