The Inventory Team Leader is responsible for overseeing inventory operations across all retail stores and one central warehouse for Sharaf DG Egypt, ensuring optimal stock levels, accuracy, and efficiency in line with company policies. This senior role involves leading a team of inventory executives, implementing robust inventory control strategies, minimizing losses, and driving operational excellence to support seamless retail and distribution activities. The position plays a critical role in enhancing supply chain performance, reducing costs, and contributing to overall business growth.
- Oversee the maintenance of accurate stock records across all 4 stores and the central warehouse using integrated inventory systems.
- Lead the proper storage, handling, and distribution of merchandise; investigate and report anomalies or discrepancies promptly.
- Review and approve supplier invoices for accuracy and compliance; collaborate with Merchandising teams on discrepancies.
- Manage weekly Purchase Return Reports and coordinate with the Merchandising and Procurement Teams for resolutions.
- Direct daily/weekly cycle counts, spot checks, and annual physical inventories; handle negative-on-hand adjustments and root-cause analysis.
- Develop and implement inventory forecasting models to optimize stock levels, minimize overstock/understock, and support demand planning.
- Ensure seamless stock transfers between stores and warehouse, maintaining FIFO (First-In-First-Out) principles.
- Develop and enforce strategies to identify and mitigate shrink factors (e.g., theft, damage, administrative errors) across all sites to achieve company shrink targets.
- Promote loss prevention awareness through team training programs and store/warehouse initiatives.
- Collaborate with the Loss Prevention Team to detect, investigate, and report incidents of shoplifting, internal theft, or security breaches.
- Ensure full compliance with safety protocols, including proper storage of hazardous materials, equipment handling, and emergency preparedness in the warehouse and stores.
- Conduct regular risk assessments and implement controls to safeguard high-value inventory.
- Lead and mentor a team of 8-10 inventory executives across sites; conduct performance reviews, training, and development to build capabilities.
- Implement, monitor, and enforce Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for inventory processes, ensuring consistency across stores and warehouse.
- Utilize store and warehouse management systems (e.g., ERP/POS) to access, input, retrieve, and analyze inventory data; troubleshoot system issues with IT.
Qualitative Requirements
- 5-7 years in inventory management within retail or distribution, with at least 3 years in a supervisory role managing multi-site operations (stores and warehouse preferred).
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Certified in Inventory Management (e.g., CPIM from APICS) or equivalent; knowledge of retail ERP systems (e.g., Oracle, SAP) is advantageous.
- Strong leadership and team management skills to motivate and develop staff.
- Proficiency in inventory control processes, demand forecasting, and stock optimization.
- Advanced knowledge of retail products, weights/measures, and supply chain dynamics.
- Excellent analytical skills for variance investigation and reporting.
- Proficient in inventory/POS/ERP systems, Microsoft Excel (advanced functions), and data visualization tools.
- Ability to follow and enforce detailed SOPs while driving process improvements.
- Strong communication and negotiation skills for supplier and cross-team interactions.
- Commitment to safety, loss prevention, and operational compliance.
