Job Overview
We are seeking a dynamic and detail-oriented Inventory Control Specialist to join our team and drive excellence in inventory management and supply chain operations. In this role, you will be responsible for overseeing inventory accuracy, optimizing stock levels, and ensuring seamless coordination across warehouse, procurement, and logistics functions.
An inventory control position for a truck upfitter manages parts, specialized truck bodies, and installation hardware. This role tracks stock levels, prevents production delays, and reconciles physical parts with computer records for commercial vehicle customization projects. Your expertise will help streamline processes, reduce costs, and enhance overall operational efficiency. This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated professional passionate about supply chain analytics, process improvement, and data-driven decision-making.
An inventory control specialist at a snow equipment dealer manages the supply, tracking, and organization of high-value machinery (snowplows, blowers, salt spreaders) and critical replacement parts. Because snow removal is highly seasonal and weather-dependent, this role requires intense preparation ahead of winter and rapid fulfillment during storm emergencies.
Responsibilities
- Stock Tracking: Monitor levels of truck parts like utility bodies, liftgates, toolboxes, and wiring harnesses. Monitor levels of whole goods (truck plows, skid steer attachments) and service parts (cutting edges, hydraulic fluids, hose). Collaborate with procurement and sourcing team to optimize purchasing strategies, and improve pricing models. Competence in financial modeling related to inventory valuation. Strong analytical skills with proficiency in data visualization tools such as Excel data analysis.
- Ordering & Forecasting: Analyze historical sales data and winter weather trends to order optimal stock levels before the first freeze.
- Emergency Fulfillment: Coordinate rapid parts sourcing and hot-shot deliveries during active blizzards when commercial clients face costly downtime.
- Receiving & Staging: Knowledge of warehouse operations including forklift operation (certification preferred), shipping & receiving processes, heavy lifting safety protocols, and materials management. Check incoming shipments from vendors and issue parts directly to the installation bays. Inspect incoming freight for damage, verify packing slips, and organize warehouse shelving for maximum picking efficiency. Expertise in supply chain management principles including demand planning, materials handling, procurement, sourcing, and logistics inventory management.
- Cycle Counting: Conduct regular physical counts to verify that computer inventory numbers match actual stock. Extensive experience in warehouse distribution, and inventory management using Quickbook software.
- Discrepancy Resolution: Ability to perform root cause analysis; excellent problem-solving skills to identify issues swiftly and implement effective solutions. Conduct root cause analysis to identify discrepancies, stock shortages, or excess inventory issues. Find the root causes of missing, damaged, or mislabeled parts and implement corrective actions promptly.
- Production Support: Strong communication skills for cross-functional collaboration. Coordinate with technicians and shop supervisor to ensure project parts are ready before build schedules begin. Monitor and manage inventory levels. Lead process improvement initiatives to enhance warehouse operations, materials handling, shipping & receiving procedures, and order fulfillment workflows using Quickbooks software. Coordinate with cross-functional team including merchandising, logistics, production planning, and supply management to ensure accurate stock levels and timely replenishment. Maintain relationships with major manufacturers and aftermarket parts suppliers to negotiate lead times and handle warranty returns.
Key Challenges
- Weather Volatility: A mild winter leads to dead stock and high carrying costs; an severe winter causes critical parts shortages and extreme shipping delays.
- High-Stakes Downtime: If a commercial plow operator is down during a major storm, every minute costs them money, putting immense pressure on the inventory specialist to have the part ready.
- Dead Stock Management: Off-season management requires strategic planning to liquidate unsold inventory or safely store it without damage.
Key Requirements
- Software Skills/Data Analysis: Proficiency with inventory tracking software and warehouse management tools in Quickbooks software. Ability to use spreadsheets (Excel) to calculate turn rates, reorder points, and safety stock margins.
- Equipment Operation: Operate a forklift or hand truck to move heavy truck components safely.
- Physical Stamina: Lift heavy vehicle parts and components(like steel cutting edges), and work in cold warehouse environments. stand or walk on concrete shop floors for long shifts.
- Organization: Maintain a clean, labeled storage space for quick parts retrieval.
- Technical Savvy: Proficiency with specialized dealership management software (e.g., Western, Hiniker and Meyer or proprietary manufacturer portals).
- Mechanical Familiarity: Basic understanding of snow equipment components (hydraulics, electrical wiring harnesses, fast-wear parts) to ensure accurate order picking.
Join us as an Inventory Control Specialist if you’re eager to leverage your technical expertise in a fast-paced environment where your analytical skills will directly impact operational success!
Pay: $15.00 - $25.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
