WHAT DOES AN INVENTORY LEAD DO?

Updated: Dec 09, 2025 - The Inventory Lead operates and maintains forklifts safely while adhering to all company and regulatory standards. This position oversees daily inventory operations, ensuring quality, accuracy, and compliance through effective communication between employees and supervisors. The Lead also investigates and resolves discrepancies, applies root cause analysis, and promotes a professional, safety-focused environment that supports operational excellence and teamwork.

A Review of Professional Skills and Functions for Inventory Lead

1. Inventory Lead Responsibilities

  • Team Development: Identify opportunities for continued development within the existing team to enhance execution and performance at the company.
  • Career Planning: Ensure all Inventory team members have defined career paths and customized development plans to achieve their goals.
  • Leadership Coaching: Collaborate with managers, both emerging and established, to develop the skills necessary for effective team leadership.
  • Succession Planning: Work with all team leaders to create succession plans for their current roles.
  • Performance Measurement: Measure and quantify the results and impact of training efforts.
  • Stakeholder Collaboration: Define business needs in partnership with People & Culture and business leaders to influence key stakeholders to invest in training initiatives.
  • Program Design: Design and deliver creative onboarding, career pathing, and leadership development programs for Inventory team members at all levels.
  • Program Evaluation: Evaluate current programs for effectiveness and relevancy, and develop a roadmap for iteration, deprecation, or creation of new programs.
  • Training Optimization: Enhance training experiences by measuring their impact and gathering feedback to identify areas for improvement.
  • Global Development: Partner with remote teams to build development experiences with a global mindset.

2. Inventory Lead Details

  • Operations Coordination: Assist management in coordinating daily operations, activity schedules, and staff direction.
  • Administrative Support: Provide administrative and operational support to ensure smooth workflow across departments.
  • Inventory Management: Perform accurate inventory and asset counts at multiple locations nationwide.
  • Field Operations: Include field locations such as sales representatives’ sites, customer facilities, hospitals, offices, and warehouses.
  • Data Reconciliation: Document and reconcile all findings to maintain data accuracy and accountability.
  • Reporting: Prepare detailed reports on field counts and variance activities for management review.
  • Issue Resolution: Identify discrepancies and work with relevant teams to implement corrective measures.
  • Departmental Support: Support additional departmental functions when not performing field counts.
  • Logistics Assistance: Assist with tasks related to loans, returns, and office operations.
  • Team Collaboration: Collaborate with Field Personnel, Sales Representatives, Supply Chain, and Finance teams.
  • Inventory Accuracy: Ensure physical inventories are completed accurately and within required timelines.

3. Inventory Lead Job Summary

  • Inventory Compliance: Maintain inventory in accordance with company regulations and compliance standards.
  • Accuracy Control: Keep inventory levels within a 5% accuracy range and document all discrepancies precisely.
  • Inventory Receiving: Receive and verify all incoming inventory from the production kitchen.
  • Data Entry: Record and enter inventory data into Metrc and other designated tracking systems.
  • Labeling: Label all inventory items clearly and consistently for easy identification.
  • Inventory Transfers: Log all transfers from raw inventory to finished, packaged, sellable units.
  • System Updates: Update all inventory tracking systems every morning and evening to ensure accuracy.
  • Testing Coordination: Schedule and coordinate testing pickups for batch samples.
  • Result Management: Receive test results promptly and upload them to the production server.
  • Inventory Auditing: Perform daily audits to reconcile physical inventory with recorded data.
  • Operational Procedures: Open and close inventory operations each day following established company procedures.

4. Inventory Lead Duties

  • Inventory Management: Manage inventory responsibilities supporting the operations center.
  • Record Accuracy: Maintain real-time and accurate inventory records and visibility.
  • Performance Tracking: Track and communicate inventory metrics on a weekly and monthly basis.
  • Product Visibility: Maintain product visibility and manage action items across various stages within the operations center.
  • Process Compliance: Ensure adherence to standard operating procedures for product flow within the facility.
  • Cycle Counting: Conduct regular cycle counts and drive month-end inventory verification.
  • Root Cause Analysis: Investigate inventory discrepancies, identify root causes, and develop and implement process improvements.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate cross-functionally with Finance, Customer Service, Transportation, Product, and other teams to identify and resolve issues impacting inventory.

5. Inventory Lead Accountabilities

  • Workforce Planning: Plan and coordinate the work of all associates, adjusting assignments and schedules to maintain adequate staffing levels for fluctuating workloads.
  • Process Documentation: Create work instructions for cycle counting, physical inventory, material handling, and material movement processes.
  • Employee Training: Provide initial orientation to new employees, assess training needs, and arrange or deliver appropriate instruction and training.
  • Team Leadership: Lead and counsel Material Handler employees in work-related activities, personal growth, and career development.
  • Performance Feedback: Provide feedback on hourly team members to the Production Supervisor for performance reviews.
  • Inventory Accuracy: Ensure inventory accuracy through proper posting and management of inventory reports.
  • Audit Management: Conduct daily inventory audits and manage the daily cycle count process.
  • Physical Inventory: Plan and complete physical inventories and variance reconciliations.
  • Cross-Department Collaboration: Collaborate with Production, Purchasing, and Finance departments to identify, prevent, and resolve inventory discrepancies.
  • Reporting: Report inventory and production movements, labor, and material usage accurately and on time, ensuring material consumption reconciliation.

6. Inventory Lead Functions

  • Process Development: Develop and implement standardized inventory processes and procedures to enhance cost control.
  • Discrepancy Prevention: Establish preventive measures to reduce discrepancies and maintain inventory accuracy.
  • Transaction Management: Execute inventory transactions in accordance with established company rules and protocols.
  • Control Parameters: Manage inventory control parameters to support efficient material movement and recordkeeping.
  • System Maintenance: Maintain and update the inventory management system to ensure data reliability.
  • Audit Verification: Conduct regular audits to verify data accuracy and alignment with physical stock.
  • Quality Compliance: Ensure full compliance with quality standards and current good manufacturing practices (cGMP).
  • Continuous Improvement: Promote adherence to operational excellence through continuous improvement.
  • Lean Implementation: Lead and participate in LEAN and 6S initiatives to streamline workflows and reduce waste.
  • Policy Adherence: Follow all company policies and guidelines as defined in the Employee Handbook and AWAIR program.

7. Inventory Lead Job Description

  • Policy Development: Develop and implement comprehensive inventory policies, strategies, and governance frameworks.
  • Issue Management: Establish clear response actions to address any identified inventory or process issues.
  • Standards Alignment: Ensure alignment of inventory management practices with organizational goals and compliance standards.
  • Process Improvement: Measure and continuously improve processes across plants, supply networks, and distribution channels.
  • Product Availability: Guarantee consistent product availability for both internal and external customers within the assigned scope.
  • Parameter Validation: Validate and maintain all planning parameters in collaboration with the plant and logistics teams.
  • Parameter Review: Conduct regular reviews to ensure parameters remain accurate and reflect current operational needs.
  • Best Practice Enforcement: Challenge and verify site parameter reviews to uphold global best practices.
  • Issue Escalation: Escalate issues where plants deviate from established global inventory standards.
  • Data Collaboration: Collaborate with data owners to refine planning parameters for optimal inventory levels.
  • Production Planning: Ensure planning decisions support feasible production schedules and balanced stock levels.
  • Standards Leadership: Lead plant teams in adhering to global standards to prevent stockouts and overstocks.
  • Performance Coordination: Coordinate with all planning teams to achieve and sustain inventory performance targets.

8. Inventory Lead Overview

  • Inventory Maintenance: Maintain sufficient inventory levels to consistently meet customer demand.
  • Performance Monitoring: Monitor inventory output on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis to detect productivity trends.
  • Data Analysis: Analyze turnover rates and wastage to identify opportunities for improvement.
  • Accuracy Coordination: Ensure inventory accuracy through close coordination with the Warehouse Manager.
  • Cycle Counting: Plan and conduct regular cycle counts to verify product quantities and locations.
  • Discrepancy Resolution: Investigate discrepancies promptly and implement corrective measures to maintain accuracy.
  • Reporting: Prepare comprehensive inventory reports and evaluate stock provisions regularly.
  • Stock Management: Manage write-off stock proposal activities to minimize financial impact.
  • Process Enhancement: Develop processes to enhance stock visibility and accountability across operations.
  • Project Support: Support special projects focused on improving inventory and warehouse management systems.
  • Workflow Design: Contribute to the design of streamlined workflows for better operational efficiency.
  • Issue Prevention: Perform daily analyses to anticipate and resolve potential inventory issues.

9. Inventory Lead Details and Accountabilities

  • Inventory Reporting: Create reports from the warehouse management system regarding current inventory levels.
  • Physical Counting: Physically count inventory utilizing appropriate machinery.
  • Data Adjustment: Adjust inventory data in the warehouse management system.
  • IDF Management: Collect, resolve, and report on IDFs.
  • Discrepancy Research: Conduct research on discrepancies, including counting and analyzing system transaction logs.
  • Root Cause Analysis: Perform root cause analysis of system inaccuracies.
  • Audit Coordination: Facilitate location audits and physical inventory counts with the client, coordinating all necessary resources, generating count sheets, and compiling the final report.
  • Team Leadership: Lead, train, and develop all team members.
  • Communication: Communicate regularly with the Inventory Accuracy Supervisor, the Account Manager, and the client.
  • Recruitment Support: Participate in hiring new employees for the department.
  • Employee Recommendations: Recommend employees for promotions and pay increases to the supervisor.
  • Performance Management: Participate in employee corrective actions and recommend terminations.
  • Metrics Management: Pull data for and manage departmental metrics.

10. Inventory Lead Tasks

  • Forklift Operation: Operate and maintain forklifts safely, following all company and regulatory procedures.
  • Equipment Maintenance: Handle battery charging and maintenance correctly to ensure equipment reliability and operator safety.
  • Confidentiality: Protect confidential information related to employees, disciplinary actions, and production data.
  • Discretion: Maintain discretion when dealing with sensitive operational or personnel matters.
  • Communication Liaison: Act as a key communication link between employees and supervisors to address operational needs.
  • Policy Facilitation: Facilitate a clear understanding of company policies and procedures among team members.
  • Quality Reporting: Report quality issues, challenges, or unusual operational problems to the Supervisor promptly.
  • Professional Conduct: Demonstrate professional conduct that fosters teamwork, productivity, and mutual respect.
  • Discrepancy Resolution: Investigate and resolve discrepancies within the Inventory Control Department.
  • Root Cause Analysis: Apply root cause analysis and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
  • Operational Monitoring: Monitor daily operations to ensure performance aligns with company objectives.
  • Safety Compliance: Ensure all activities meet established safety standards and regulatory compliance requirements.

11. Inventory Lead Roles

  • Supply Coordination: Liaise with Control Account Teams and Supply Chain functions to obtain forecasts and satisfy contract requirements.
  • Planning Systems: Work with specialized planning and forecasting systems to manage component supply and meet business and contractual commitments.
  • Data Generation: Generate datasets to enable the review of component demands in alignment with contract requirements.
  • Schedule Review: Facilitate the review of supply schedules in planning systems to ensure component demands are being met and monitor associated action plans.
  • Inventory Assessment: Review and assess inventory data and evaluate requirements against customer needs.
  • Demand Management: Review demand and supply metrics and take appropriate action to ensure customer requirements are justified and fulfilled.
  • Program Support: Support the Program Manager and Technical Specialists in committing to and accepting component-level requirement profiles within new and repair part supply chains.
  • Issue Management: Anticipate and manage potential and actual delivery issues related to critical part shortages and overdue items.

12. Inventory Lead Additional Details

  • Store Assessment: Visit multiple stores across the state regularly to assess operations and performance.
  • Replenishment Planning: Ensure the replenishment team develops and executes effective plans to maintain store standards.
  • Merchandising Oversight: Oversee store readiness to maximize sales potential through well-organized merchandise presentation.
  • Process Verification: Verify that all operational processes are implemented accurately and on time.
  • Procedural Compliance: Promote adherence to established procedures to maintain consistency across locations.
  • Customer Service: Encourage, support, and uphold customer service standards throughout all stores.
  • Inventory Optimization: Collaborate with Inventory Managers to optimize stock levels and sales opportunities.
  • Inventory Efficiency: Ensure efficient inventory management practices that align with sales objectives.
  • Leadership Coaching: Coach, supervise, and guide Inventory Managers to strengthen their leadership and performance.
  • Manager Support: Provide ongoing support to Store Managers and Customer Service Managers in their development.
  • Reporting: Prepare and deliver monthly reports to the Retail team detailing key operational metrics, on areas of responsibility covering payout, variances, stock adjustments, and RTV activities.

13. Inventory Lead Essential Functions

  • Inventory Identification: Utilize a warehouse management system to identify item numbers, sizes, colors, and quantities of inventory to be picked from bins, shelves, or designated locations.
  • Process Oversight: Provide oversight, direction, and accountability for all inventory control processes, ensuring team adherence to company policies and procedures.
  • Inventory Optimization: Regularly review the fulfillment picking heat map and reassign, restack, restore, and reorganize inventory to support outbound productivity and efficiency.
  • Team Supervision: Supervise the warehouse fulfillment inventory team to enhance individual and overall team performance.
  • Operational Review: Continuously review inventory functions to ensure operational efficiency and process accuracy in a dynamic environment.
  • Accuracy Management: Oversee warehouse and inventory management accuracy for all normal and abnormal locations, ensuring proper utilization of each system location in compliance with established rules and guidelines.
  • Expiration Control: Manage item expiration processes and ensure proper stacking of inventory in accordance with the FIFO and/or FEFO policies of Shopee.
  • Procedure Development: Develop and implement inventory control procedures and best practices.
  • Shrinkage Management: Manage and take responsibility for overall fulfillment shrinkage.
  • SOP Creation: Create and improve inventory standard operating procedures (SOPs).

14. Inventory Lead Role Purpose

  • Team Leadership: Collaborate with the supervisor to lead a team of up to 50 hourly associates across functional areas.
  • SOP Compliance: Understand and model adherence to all standard operating procedures (SOPs).
  • Safety Management: Develop and maintain a safe and compliant work environment.
  • Employee Recognition: Recognize and reward associates for outstanding performance.
  • Training and Coaching: Train and coach team members to achieve operational goals and service level targets.
  • Career Development: Mentor and develop associates to enhance performance in current roles and prepare them for future career growth opportunities.
  • Process Improvement: Develop, document, and share best practices to drive process improvement.
  • Team Engagement: Foster a positive team environment that encourages associates to share insights, provide feedback, and contribute to continuous improvement.
  • Adaptability Promotion: Promote adaptability and focus within the team to meet evolving business needs and maintain high customer satisfaction.
  • System Utilization: Utilize warehouse tools, including radio frequency handheld units (RF Guns) and computer kiosks, to process transactions within the warehouse management system (WMS) and record activities in the labor management (LM) module.

15. Inventory Lead General Responsibilities

  • Team Leadership: Lead a multi-shift team of individuals within the Inventory Department, including Pallet Station, Dump Room, Job Issue, Job Receipt, and Cycle Counting.
  • Internal Controls: Ensure compliance with and implement internal control procedures for the Pallet Station, Dump Room, job issuing and closing, inventory checkpoints, and the product manufacturing process.
  • Cross-Department Collaboration: Collaborate with Blending, Production, Quality Control, Shipping, and Receiving departments to direct and control physical stock in accordance with company policy.
  • Process Simplification: Ensure compliance with and implement inventory control procedures to simplify manufacturing processes.
  • Cost Management: Work with the Manager of Demand Planning and Inventory to identify and pursue cost control opportunities within the inventory department.
  • Process Improvement: Streamline departmental functions through new procedures and practices to improve efficiency.
  • Labor Optimization: Reduce labor and overtime costs while maintaining operational effectiveness.
  • Safety Compliance: Ensure all employees follow safety procedures and are properly trained to work safely, as well as that company policies and internal controls are consistently followed.
  • Cycle Counting: Assist with daily physical cycle counts.
  • Staff Scheduling: Schedule staff on a daily and weekly basis to meet operational requirements.
  • Production Alignment: Attend production meetings to provide inventory updates and alignment.
  • Physical Inventory: Perform physical inventory counts for customers requiring monthly physical counts.
  • Inventory Adjustment: Take counts of the Return Bin and make necessary inventory adjustments on demand.
Relevant Information
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