Merchandising Inventory Manager Jobs in Minneapolis, MN

• Location 2571 Credit Union Drive,Prior Lake, MN, 55372,United States
• Base Pay $60,000.00 / Year
• Employee Type Full-Time Exempt

Description

Inventory Manager

• Full-Time

Job Description

About Flame & Flora

Flame & Flora is Minnesota’s first sovereign, deli-style cannabis retail experience. We pair hospitality with education so guests can see, smell, and learn before they buy. Our team creates a welcoming, informed, and compliant environment where every visit feels personal and supportive.

About This Role

As Inventory Manager, you own the inventory function from end to end. This is a leadership role that sits a step above day-to-day inventory execution—you set the strategy, build the systems, and make the decisions that keep product moving and the business compliant. Working hand in hand with the Store Manager and leadership team, you translate sales trends, financial goals, and regulatory requirements into smart purchasing, healthy stock levels, and airtight recordkeeping.

This is far more than counting product. You’ll be accountable for the financial health of our inventory investment—forecasting demand, controlling shrink, negotiating with vendors, and protecting margin—while ensuring every unit is tracked accurately from intake to sale. Your judgment directly shapes product availability, the guest experience, our regulatory standing, and the bottom line, and the systems and standards you put in place become the backbone the rest of the store relies on.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Inventory Planning & Analysis:

• Develop, implement, and continuously refine inventory control procedures and overall stocking strategy in collaboration with the Store Manager.
• Monitor stock levels and analyze sales data, seasonality, and product trends to determine optimal stocking quantities, reorder points, and par levels.
• Forecast demand across product categories to prevent both stockouts and overstock, and adjust plans as the business grows.
• Own the inventory budget and investment, balancing product availability against carrying costs, shrink, and margin.
• Produce regular inventory reports and actionable insights for the Store Manager and leadership to guide purchasing and merchandising decisions.
• Coordinate with vendors to manage orders, track deliveries, and resolve discrepancies.
• Build and maintain strong vendor relationships, negotiating pricing, terms, and availability to optimize both cost and selection.
• Evaluate vendor and product performance, recommending new products to introduce and underperformers to discontinue.
• Collaborate with the finance team to ensure accurate invoicing and timely payment of orders.

Compliance & Quality Control:

• Ensure compliance with all state, local, and regulatory requirements and maintain accurate, audit-ready documentation.
• Conduct regular inventory audits and cycle counts, reconciling discrepancies promptly and investigating the root cause of variances.
• Oversee product intake, labeling, storage, and seed-to-sale tracking to meet all regulatory and quality standards.
• Monitor product for recalls, expiration, and damage, and manage waste and destruction in accordance with regulations.

Operations & Systems:

• Optimize inventory systems and workflows to support smooth, efficient, and scalable operations.
• Maintain and improve the inventory management and POS systems, ensuring data accuracy and troubleshooting issues as they arise.
• Establish and document inventory standard operating procedures, and train store staff on proper intake, tracking, and handling.
• Partner cross-functionally with retail, finance, and leadership to align inventory with sales goals and customer demand.

What We’re Looking For

The Must-Haves (Minimum Qualifications):

• Must be at least 21 years old.
• High school diploma or GED.
• Minimum of 2 years of inventory management experience.
• Ability to work nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

The Game-Changers (Preferred Qualifications):

• Experience in buying or procurement within a regulated industry.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and Outlook.
• Proven track record of leading teams and improving inventory processes.
• Strongly prefer METRC experience.
• Ideal candidate will possess Treez software experience

The Essential Skills:

• Deep knowledge of inventory management principles, systems, and best practices
• Understanding of applicable regulations and ability to learn local ordinances quickly
• Knowledge of purchasing practices and procedures that optimize both cost and availability
• Mathematical skills for analyzing data, computing ratios, and interpreting inventory reports
• Problem-solving abilities to identify issues, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
• Independent judgment and decision-making skills for managing complex inventory challenges
• Excellent business communication skills for working with vendors, management, and colleagues
• Leadership abilities to champion inventory best practices and support store operations
• Comfort working with inventory management software and POS systems
• Data analysis skills to identify trends, optimize stock levels, and improve efficiency
• Attention to detail that ensures accuracy in all inventory tracking and compliance documentation

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to handle the physical demands of retail—sitting, standing, lifting up to 50 pounds, and staying energized during busy shifts
• Comfort working in a retail environment with varying noise levels

Why Join Flame & Flora

As a Flame & Flora budtender, you are part of something historic. You will be joining SMSC’s first sovereign cannabis retail store and helping shape what cannabis retail looks like for years to come. This is your opportunity to combine passion for cannabis with hospitality, education, and community impact.