Distribution Operations Manager Jobs in New Brunswick, NJ

Join our global diversified pharmaceutical company enriching lives through our relentless drive to deliver better health outcomes to our patients. We are all in it together to make a difference. Be a part of a culture that doesn't just wait for change but actively creates it-where your skills and values drive our collective progress and impact.

The Inventory Manager is responsible for leading inventory governance, control, compliance, and continuous improvement activities supporting U.S. and Canada distribution operations. This role provides oversight of inventory controls across multiple third-party logistics (3PL) partners, ensuring inventory accuracy, regulatory compliance, and financial integrity throughout the distribution network.

The position serves as the business lead for inventory-related systems, integrations, and process improvement initiatives, partnering closely with IT, Finance, Customer Service, Supply Chain, external logistics providers, and auditors. The Inventory Manager owns critical inventory-related SOX controls, supports strategic business initiatives, and acts as a subject matter expert on inventory management processes, compliance requirements, and distribution operations.

Responsibilities:

Inventory Governance & Operations

• Own inventory governance and reconciliation processes across U.S. and Canada distribution operations, ensuring inventory accuracy, financial integrity, and compliance across multiple third-party logistics partners.
• Perform daily inventory reconciliation at the batch level between SAP and 3PL ERP systems.
• Monitor and resolve inventory discrepancies, identify root causes, and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Identify, investigate, and coordinate resolution of EDI failures between internal and external logistics systems.
• Manage the product destruction process and ensure compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate product donations to approved charitable organizations.
• Investigate and support resolution of serialization and product traceability discrepancies involving customers, distribution partners, and internal stakeholders.

Compliance & Audit Management:

• Own key inventory-related SOX controls and compliance processes, serving as the primary point of contact for internal and external audits.
• Ensure inventory controls effectively support inventory accuracy, financial reporting integrity, and regulatory compliance.
• Oversee cycle count programs across multiple 3PL providers, including annual ABC classification reviews, count execution, discrepancy analysis, and corrective actions.
• Maintain accountability for inventory control activities, including:
  • Proof of Delivery (POD) Testing
  • Inventory Adjustment Reconciliation
  • Inventory ABC Classification
  • Additional inventory-related compliance controls as required

Systems & Project Leadership

• Lead cross-functional Supply Chain technology initiatives, including Warehouse Management System (WMS) integrations, system enhancements, process automation efforts, and SAP S/4HANA-related projects.
• Serve as the business lead for inventory and logistics system implementations, upgrades, and enhancements.
• Partner with IT, external vendors, consultants, and business stakeholders to define requirements, execute testing, manage issue resolution, and support successful implementations.
• Lead User Acceptance Testing (UAT), process validation, defect remediation, and implementation readiness activities for system projects.
• Leverage SAP expertise to support business process optimization and continuous improvement initiatives.

Business Partnership & Continuous Improvement

• Lead root cause investigations involving complex inventory, system, compliance, and operational issues.
• Coordinate resolution efforts across Supply Chain, IT, Finance, Customer Service, Quality, and external business partners.
• Identify and implement process improvements that enhance inventory accuracy, compliance, operational performance, and customer service outcomes.
• Develop and analyze inventory, logistics, and performance reporting to support business decision-making and identify improvement opportunities.
• Support Supply Chain, Customer Service, Finance, and other business functions on inventory-related priorities and initiatives.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on inventory controls, distribution operations, logistics systems, and compliance requirements.
• Provide business continuity support and act as the primary backup to the Director for critical operational, compliance, and project-related activities.
• Support and mentor other team members while promoting best practices across inventory and logistics processes.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree required; degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Operations Management, Business, or a related field preferred.
• 6+ years of inventory management, supply chain, logistics, or distribution experience, including at least 3 years within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or regulated healthcare industry.
• Experience managing inventory operations across third-party logistics providers.
• Experience leading system implementations, ERP/WMS integrations, business process transformations, or technology-enabled supply chain initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex cross-functional projects and initiatives without direct authority.
• Strong knowledge of pharmaceutical distribution operations, GMP, GDP, DSCSA, SOX, and inventory control practices.
• Advanced experience with SAP S/4HANA, including:
  • Inventory Adjustments
  • IDOC Monitoring and Error Resolution
  • Material Master Data Management
  • Material Documents
  • Sales Orders and Deliveries
  • Inventory Reporting and Analysis
  • System Testing and Process Optimization
• Experience working with WMS platforms and third-party logistics systems.
• Strong analytical and reporting skills using:
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Access
  • Power BI and other business intelligence tools
• Leadership & Business Skills
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex cross-functional initiatives and influence stakeholders across Supply Chain, IT, Finance, Customer Service, Quality, external logistics providers, and executive leadership.
• Strong understanding of inventory governance, financial controls, audit requirements, risk management, and compliance within a regulated environment.
• Proven ability to independently manage multiple business-critical priorities while exercising sound judgment and decision-making with limited oversight.
• Excellent organizational, communication, presentation, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to translate complex operational and system issues into actionable business solutions.

The range of starting base pay for this role is 110K - 151K.  Actual starting pay will be based on a wide range of factors including, but not limited to, relevant skills, experience, qualifications, education and location. In addition to base pay, this position is eligible for participation in either (i) our annual bonus program or (ii) a sales incentive plan.

Benefits package includes a comprehensive Medical (includes Prescription Drug), Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending Accounts, 401(k) with matching company contribution, discretionary time off, paid sick time, stock purchase plan, tuition reimbursement, parental leave, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, accidental death & dismemberment insurance, paid holidays, employee referral bonuses and employee discounts.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. EOE Disability/Veteran. We are committed to building diverse teams, representative of the patients and communities we serve, and we strive to create an inclusive workplace that cultivates collaboration.