Purchasing Inventory Manager Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

SUMMARY:

The Warehouse & Materials Supervisor leads the daily operations of the warehouse while overseeing inventory control, purchasing, and material flow to support manufacturing operations. This hands-on role partners with cross-functional teams to ensure materials are available, inventory is accurate, and production needs are met efficiently.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Supervise, coach, and develop warehouse team members while fostering a safe, productive, and collaborative work environment.

Assign daily work, establish priorities, and ensure timely completion of warehouse activities to support production and customer shipments.

Oversee all warehouse operations, including shipping, receiving, storage, material movement, and inventory transactions.

Review daily production schedules and adjust material priorities to meet changing production demands.

Create, issue, and manage purchase orders for raw materials, packaging, and warehouse supplies.

Monitor open purchase orders, supplier lead times, and inbound deliveries to ensure material availability.

Build and maintain effective relationships with suppliers while resolving issues related to pricing, delivery, quality, damaged materials, and invoice discrepancies.

Monitor inventory levels and coordinate replenishment activities to support uninterrupted production.

Oversee cycle count activities, investigate inventory discrepancies, and implement corrective actions to improve inventory accuracy.

Review slow-moving and excess inventory and collaborate with Customer Service and Operations to identify appropriate actions.

Maintain accurate purchasing, inventory, and material records within the ERP system.

Coordinate inbound and outbound logistics with carriers, suppliers, and internal departments.

Partner with Production, Scheduling, Customer Service, and Accounting to resolve material-related issues and ensure efficient workflow.

Assist with materials planning, inventory forecasting, and budgeting to support business objectives.

Research new products and suppliers while supporting customer-specific material requirements.

Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities that enhance warehouse efficiency, inventory accuracy, and overall material flow.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of direct reports. Carries out managerial responsibilities in accordance with the company's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring and training employees; planning and assigning work; appraising performance; rewarding and leading employees; addressing conflict resolution and providing workforce success opportunities for team members.

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE / CERTIFICATIONS:

High school diploma or GED required; Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Operations, or a related field preferred.

Five (5) or more years of supervisory experience in a warehouse, logistics, or manufacturing environment.

Experience with inventory control, purchasing, and ERP systems in a manufacturing setting.

Forklift certification or the ability to obtain certification is a plus.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED:

Strong leadership and interpersonal skills with the ability to coach employees, foster teamwork, and build positive working relationships across departments.

Working knowledge of warehouse operations, inventory control, purchasing processes, and material flow within a manufacturing environment.

Ability to adapt to changing production demands and make sound decisions.

Ability to identify root causes, resolve inventory discrepancies, and implement process improvements.

Proficiency with ERP systems and Microsoft Office applications, with the ability to accurately manage purchasing, inventory, and operational data.

Capability to solve complex problems, utilizing strong critical thinking and decision-making skills

Superior organizational skills and the ability to assemble resources needed to orchestrate multiple projects/activities and accomplish goals

Model a collaborative leadership style with the ability to build partnerships and influence others into action

Excellent verbal and written communications skills

Outstanding presentation and facilitation skills

Excellent interpersonal skills and consultative approach; tactful in dealing with people at all levels

Strong sense of urgency, self-motivated and positive

Flexible and adaptable; able to work in ambiguous situations

Ability to actively lead change initiatives

Display highest ethical standards

Maintain the utmost level of confidentiality in dealing with sensitive information

Detail oriented, with the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; stand; walk; use hand dexterity to operate office equipment including computer keyboards; reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the office work environment is typically quiet; when visiting the production floor the noise level may be loud.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

JOB HAZARD ANALYSIS

All positions must have a current Job Hazard Analysis attached to the job description. See the JHA for Office Staff, located on the Company Intranet: Corporate Services> Safety> Job Hazard Analysis> JHA Office