Inventory Control & Quality Assurance Manager

Job Summary

The Inventory Control and Quality Assurance (ICQA) Manager ensures the accuracy and quality of inventory within their respective distribution center and associated facilities, leading to optimized delivery of products and services to the customer. This leader is responsible for implementing best practices that emphasize inventory accuracy, defect prevention and reduction in variation and waste. The Inventory Control and Quality Assurance (ICQA) Manager ultimately leads organizational focus on quality assurance and the implementation of best practices and continuous process improvement to minimize costs and maximize customer satisfaction, ensuring that procedures and processes are properly and consistently followed.

Responsibilities

• Provides and supports the implementation of business solutions and ensures compliance with policies and procedures focused on quality assurance.
• Ensures accuracy of inventory counts and quality, as well as quality of outbound shipments.
• Leads the ICQA team to collaborate with DC management on process improvement and value enhancement opportunities.
• Contributes to new business initiatives and projects.
• Manages the root cause analysis and corrective actions for quality issues.
• Manages inventory profiles throughout the warehouse.
• Reviews and evaluates quality data to identify process improvement opportunities.
• Creates corrective action plans to address process failures.
• Utilizes techniques for continuous improvement including Lean, Six-Sigma, Poka-Yoke (Error Proofing), and Measurement System Analysis and FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis)
• Monitors and reports on supplier product quality and performance.
• Manages and leads execution of the Quality Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) including Defects per Million and Inventory Accuracy.
• Keeps up with current and developing trends that concern product quality.
• Conducts benchmarking studies to determine best practices/designs and future trends.
• Oversees inventory management process execution including receiving, stocking, and order fulfillment, while encouraging team members to actively identify and address inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement. 
• Manages all write-off related processes and responsibilities, minimizing inventory variance and related costs.
• Ensures compliance with safety regulations and company policies to maintain a safe working environment, while empowering team members to actively contribute to a culture of safety and continuous improvement. 
• Collaborates closely with other departments such as sales and purchasing, to coordinate activities and meet customer demands while encouraging cross-functional problem-solving and collaboration. 
• Analyzes performance metrics and KPIs to identify areas for improvement and empower team members to implement innovative solutions that enhance process efficiency and effectiveness. 
• Resolves customer inquiries and concerns in a timely and professional manner, while encouraging team members to take ownership of customer issues and find creative solutions to meet customer needs.

Qualifications

• 2+ years’ experience working in quality assurance, inventory control and/or customer service within a distribution center or similar environment.
• 1+ year’s proven experience in a managerial role and/or leading teams.
• Ability to motivate and inspire a team to actively contribute to problem-solving and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving abilities, with a keen attention to detail and a proactive approach to addressing challenges.
• Familiarity with warehouse operations and logistics software (e.g., WMS, ERP systems).
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and adapt to changing priorities.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Commitment to upholding high standards of integrity, professionalism and customer service, with a focus on supporting team members and delivering for customers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, logistics, or a related field.
• 3+ years’ experience working in quality assurance, inventory control and/or customer service within a distribution center or similar environment.
• 2+ year’s proven experience in a managerial role and/or leading teams.
• Proven experience performing various quality functions (inspection, control, assurance, audits).
• Lean six sigma and project management skills.
• Expertise in leveraging relevant tools and technology (including MS Office, Promapp, Power BI, Visio, etc.).
• Customer-centric spirit and task-execution.
• Enthusiasm for data, analysis, and providing simple insights.
• Passion for solving complex challenges.
• Comfort influencing others, leading teams, managing stakeholders, getting buy-in from leadership, and communicating clearly.
• Test-and-learn mentality and agile way of working to improve team products.

Leadership

• Embodies the following values: serve, perform, influence, respect, innovate, team.
• Effectively communicates by motivating and inspiring others through clear and proactive communication.
• Delivers results and drives customer success by committing and focusing on outcomes to deliver results and making the customer the center of decisions.
• Makes balanced decisions and thinks strategically by being a forward thinker.
• Develops high-performing teams by providing inclusive leadership, attracting and developing world-class talent, providing ongoing feedback, and building trust across the organization.

Physical Demands / Working Environment

• Lifting and Carrying: Ability to lift and carry objects of varying weights, typically 25 to 50 pounds or more, depending on the job duties.
• Pushing and Pulling: Capability to push and pull carts, pallet jacks, or other equipment loaded with materials throughout the warehouse. This may involve pushing or pulling heavy loads over extended distances or up ramps.
• Standing and Walking: Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, often for the duration of a shift. Warehouse employees need to be able to move around the warehouse facility to pick orders, stock shelves, or perform other tasks.
• Bending and Stooping: Capacity to bend, stoop, squat, and reach to retrieve items from shelves, bins, or storage racks. Employees need the ability to access items throughout the warehouse at various heights and angles.
• Climbing: Can climb ladders or stairs to access elevated storage areas or perform maintenance tasks. Warehouse employees need to have the capacity to work at heights to include open floor mezzanines and follow safety protocols for ladder use.
• Operating Equipment: Proficiency in operating warehouse equipment such as forklifts, pallet jacks, and order pickers. Depending on the job role, employees must pass certification or training programs to operate certain equipment safely.
• Manual Dexterity: Ability to use hands and fingers to handle small objects, operate machinery controls, and perform tasks requiring precision and accuracy. This may include picking and packing items, labeling products, or assembling shipments.
• Repetitive Motion: Ability to perform repetitive tasks, such as scanning barcodes, sorting items, or packaging products, throughout the shift. Employees should be able to maintain productivity while performing repetitive motions safely.
• Physical Endurance: Stamina and endurance to work in a fast-paced environment and meet productivity targets. Warehouse employees need to have the capacity to work long hours, weekends, or overtime during peak periods.
• Safety Awareness: Commitment to following safety protocols and guidelines to prevent workplace accidents and injuries. Employees should be vigilant about potential hazards in the warehouse environment and take appropriate precautions to ensure their safety and the safety of others.
• Environment: Position operates in a warehouse setting with continuous exposure to industrial noise (e.g., forklifts, conveyors, machinery, and loading activities), bright overhead lighting, and varying temperatures due to limited climate control. Employees regularly work around moving equipment and mechanical operations and must remain alert to audible and visual safety signals in a fast-paced environment.

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GPC conducts its business without regard to sex, race, creed, color, religion, marital status, national origin, citizenship status, age, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, military status, status as a veteran, or any other protected characteristic. GPC's policy is to recruit, hire, train, promote, assign, transfer and terminate employees based on their own ability, achievement, experience and conduct and other legitimate business reasons.