VMI Specialist

Since 1892, Shepherd Electric Supply has been the first call when complex, time-critical electrical challenges need to be solved and reliability truly matters. We move materials accurately and on time, so contractors stay on schedule, projects stay on track, and customers never have to wonder if we will come through.

Our success comes from people who take pride in doing things the right way — safely, accurately, and with care for teammates and customers alike. If you want to do work that matters at a company that notices, this is the place.

VMI — Vendor Managed Inventory — is one of the most visible ways Shepherd delivers reliability directly to contractor job sites. The VMI Specialist is where that reliability becomes personal: you are Shepherd’s on-site presence, embedded with the customer, owning the inventory and service that keep their project moving.

This role is a dedicated, full-time assignment to a major customer project expected to run approximately three to four years. For the life of that project, you are the face of Shepherd on-site — managing inventory, replenishing material before it runs short, coordinating with the customer’s team, and holding service levels steady from day one through project close-out.

When the Specialist runs the site well, the customer never has to think about material — it is simply there, correct, and on time. That consistency, sustained over years, is what turns a single project into a lasting partnership.

Work Shift and Hours:

• Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 4:00pm

Compensation Details:

• The expected pay rate for this position is starting between $22.00 - $25.00 per hour depending on experience.

Onsite Inventory Management

• Own on-site inventory for the assigned project — counts, bin and storage organization, stocking levels, and discrepancy resolution — so the customer always has what the job requires

• Maintain accurate inventory records on-site and in the system; investigate and resolve discrepancies the same day they are identified, not after they compound

• Set and maintain organized, well-labeled storage so material is easy to find, easy to count, and never lost on-site

• Monitor usage patterns and adjust stocking levels proactively as project phases and demand shift

Material Replenishment

• Anticipate material needs and trigger replenishment before stock runs short — the customer should never wait on Shepherd

• Pick, verify, and stage replenishment orders accurately; catch errors on-site, not in front of the customer

• Coordinate replenishment timing with the branch, purchasing, and delivery so material arrives ahead of demand, not behind it

• Manage returns, overages, and damaged material cleanly, keeping records and inventory aligned

Customer Support & Project Coordination

• Serve as the primary Shepherd point of contact on-site — professional, responsive, and trusted by the customer’s team

• Coordinate with the customer’s project leadership on schedules, priorities, upcoming phases, and material forecasts so Shepherd stays ahead of the need

• Resolve day-to-day material and service questions on-site; escalate larger issues early and with a recommended path forward

• Communicate proactively with the VMI Manager, branch teams, and dispatch so the wider team stays aligned to what the project requires

Service Levels & Project Continuity

• Hold agreed service levels steady across the full three-to-four-year project life — through volume spikes, phase changes, and staffing pressure

• Track and report on inventory accuracy, fill rate, and replenishment performance so the customer and Shepherd leadership have clear visibility

• Identify recurring issues and drive root-cause fixes rather than repeating the same corrections

• Document site processes so coverage and continuity hold up when you are out — the project should not depend on a single day of your presence

Vehicle Readiness & Job Site Execution

• Ensure any VMI vehicle assigned to the project is loaded correctly, maintained, and ready — accurate and efficient every day

• Run the jobsite VMI process end to end: staging, delivery to point of use, and put-away, with accuracy verified before hand-off

• Represent Shepherd professionally on every job-site interaction — on time, accurate, and courteous

• Complete daily vehicle and equipment checks and report issues before they disrupt operations

Facility, Safety & Team Support

• Keep on-site storage and staging areas organized, clean, and safe at all times

• Follow all Shepherd and customer job-site safety requirements without exception; identify and report hazards before they become incidents

• Flag issues early — inventory shortfalls, vehicle concerns, order discrepancies — before they reach the customer

• Support the broader VMI team and step up for coverage when the operation needs it

• On-site inventory is accurate, organized, and current — discrepancies are resolved the day they are found

• Material is replenished ahead of demand — the customer has not been left waiting on stock

• The customer’s project team knows you by name and trusts Shepherd’s on-site presence

• Service levels are being met consistently, and you can show the numbers that prove it

• Site processes are documented so coverage holds up when you are out

• The VMI Manager trusts the project site runs correctly when they are not watching

• You own the outcome, not just the task — you do not leave loose ends unresolved at the end of the day

• You are comfortable being the customer-facing face of Shepherd, day in and day out, on a single long-term project

• You anticipate needs and move before you are asked — replenishment and inventory do not get away from you

• You communicate proactively — with the customer, with your manager, with the branch — not after problems surface

• You stay accurate and organized under pressure, and you hold a standard over the long haul

• You want a role where your judgment and reliability directly shape a multi-year customer partnership

• High school diploma or equivalent required

• 2+ years of VMI, warehouse, inventory, or logistics experience; prior customer-facing or job-site experience strongly preferred

• Demonstrated ownership of inventory accuracy and replenishment in a fast-paced environment

• Strong communication skills and professional presence for daily customer interaction

• Familiarity with warehouse management systems and standard computer tools (email, Excel)

• DOT physical certificate required for delivery duties, or ability to obtain prior to first delivery

• Ability to stand for extended periods and perform physical tasks including lifting up to 50 lbs. using proper technique

• Valid driver’s license required

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to getting things right the first time

• Dependable attendance and a team-oriented mindset

• Willingness to commit to a multi-year, site-based project assignment

• Ability to successfully complete pre-employment screening requirements

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals occupying this position of employment. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skill required of all individuals assigned to this job title. Management reserves the right to modify all or part of this job description at its discretion in order to meet location requirements, staffing levels, and/or any other needs of the business. All of the essential functions of the job, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act and/or equivalent state law, may not have been described. All requests for reasonable accommodation(s) will be reviewed and evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Why should you join Shepherd Electrical Supply?

Apply now and find out what’s next for you.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Vet/Disabled

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