Inventory and Logistics Manager

Description

CORE HOURS: 

Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm (This role is 100% onsite in Sycamore, IL.)

STARTING PAY RANGE:

$95,000 - $115,000 (Annual)

UNIVERSAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the Mission Statement of the Company by Living Our Values, Creating Unique Solutions and Supporting Customer Success. 
• Treat all co-workers, customers and suppliers in accordance with our Company’s Core Values of Respect, Integrity, Extraordinary Care, Radical Generosity, Better Every Day and Customer Success.
• Follow all company GMPs and SOPs.

GENERAL SUMMARY

The Inventory and Logistics Manager is responsible for leading the company's inventory control, logistics strategy, and third-party warehouse relationships. This role ensures materials and finished goods are stored, controlled, and moved efficiently while maintaining high inventory accuracy, customer service levels, and cost effectiveness. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Inventory Management

• Maintain accurate inventory records across all facilities and third-party locations.
• Lead inventory reconciliation activities and root cause analysis for inventory discrepancies.
• Oversee inventory transfers between warehouses, manufacturing locations, and external partners.
• Implement and maintain inventory management processes for non-quantity-bearing items, including temperature monitoring devices and operational supplies.
• Partner with Finance to support period-end inventory reporting requirements.
• Monitor FIFO and FEFO inventory management practices where applicable.

Warehouse & Distribution Operations

• Coordinate warehouse capacity planning and inventory placement strategies.
• Maintain warehouse location systems for ingredients, packaging, WIP, and finished goods.
• Support warehouse efficiency and productivity improvement initiatives.
• Contribute to the future-state design and continuous improvement of warehouse operations and material flow.
• Establish and maintain standardized processes for receiving, put-away, storage, transfers, and shipping activities.
• Ensure inventory handling practices support product quality, food safety, traceability, and regulatory requirements.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for all third-party warehouse relationships, including identification, negotiation, implementation, and ongoing management of partnership agreements.

Logistics Management

• Develop, execute, and maintain inbound and outbound freight strategies that support customer requirements, service expectations, and profitable growth.
• Ensure all freight agreements and transportation activities meet company, customer, and regulatory requirements.
• Support successful execution of customer requirements related to ASNs (Advanced Shipping Notices).

Cost Management

• Routinely analyze warehouse, freight costs and transportation performance to identify savings opportunities and improve service levels.
• Review warehouse and freight invoices and resolve escalated billing discrepancies.
• Analyze and determine root causes of detention fees, fuel surcharges, accessorial charges, and other transportation-related expenses.
• Develop and maintain a claims process that provides full visibility from initiation through resolution.

Systems & Data Management

• Develop reporting and dashboards to monitor inventory, logistics, freight, and warehouse performance.
• Support ERP enhancements, implementations, and process improvement initiatives.
• Drive data accuracy and governance related to inventory, logistics, transportation, and warehouse master data.

Leadership & Continuous Improvement

• Lead, coach, and develop logistics, inventory, shipping, and receiving personnel.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with carriers, brokers, freight service providers, and third-party warehouse (3PW/3PL) partners.
• Establish departmental goals, KPIs, and performance expectations.
• Develop and maintain SOPs, work instructions, training materials, and process documentation.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on inventory accuracy, logistics efficiency, warehouse performance, service levels, and cost reduction.
• Lead root-cause analysis activities for recurring inventory, warehouse, transportation, and service issues.
• Champion company culture and values while fostering a collaborative, accountable, and continuous improvement mindset across the organization.

Requirements

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s  degree
• Five (5) - ten (10) years of progressive supply chain experience or;
• 3–5+ years in inventory management, warehouse operations, transportation/logistics coordination, team leadership or supervision

KNOWLEDGE

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to develop positive working relationships with internal and external customers
• Excellent computer skills with competency in Microsoft Office programs, company database, internet and email

ABILITIES & SKILLS

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with people at all levels of the organization and external contacts.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities/meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Attentive to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Ability to shift from various projects and manage frequent interruptions.
• Negotiating and solid decision-making skills.
• Time Management – Ability to plan work hours to most efficiently and accurately complete job responsibilities.
• Reasoning – Interpret instructions; solve practical problems by applying general rules to produce answers that make sense.
• Mathematical – Arithmetic calculations involving fractions, decimals and percentages.
• Language Development – Ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand; evaluate technical data; have increased contact with people.
• Professional – Ability to use judgment to consider the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Physical Effort – Sedentary work: exert negligible amount of force frequently and up to 10 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. 
• Vision – Far, near and mid-range vision, depth perception, color identification and field of vision.
• Activity – Regularly required to hear, talk, walk, use finger dexterity, and repetitive motion; occasionally required to climb and reach with hands and arms.

 THE SUTER COMPANY BENEFITS (including, but not limited to)

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life & Accident Insurance
• 401k Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Wellness Programs

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND ADA STATEMENT

The work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, moderate noise and temperature extremes. 

This role description does not state that the above are the only duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Employees holding this position will be required to perform any other job-related duties as required. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with a disability. 

Equal Opportunity Employer.