Manager Group Inventory Management

Job Description

To strengthen our Group Supply Chain Planning organization in Darmstadt, we are looking for a Manager Group Inventory Management (m/f/d). In this role, you will drive the global optimization of inventory across Döhler’s end-to-end supply chain. You will create a transparent, fact-based view of inventory performance and identify, evaluate and mobilize improvement opportunities across operational, tactical and strategic levers.

By balancing inventory, customer service, cost, working capital, quality, supply risk, capacity and resilience, you will help translate analysis into practical initiatives and sustainable impact. The role is not responsible for operational planning or day-to-day replenishment decisions. Instead, you will provide global inventory transparency, improvement methodologies and cross-functional problem-solving support to accountable teams.

You will act as the primary Group contact for inventory-related matters and report directly to the Head of Group Supply Chain Planning. Selected international travel is required.

Your Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain a consolidated view of global inventory performance, including inventory levels, inventory days, inventory turns, service availability, excess and obsolete inventory, aging and other relevant indicators.
• Analyze inventory across material groups, product portfolios, locations, regions, customers and supply chain stages to identify risks, root causes and improvement opportunities.
• Develop and continuously improve the Group inventory KPI framework, reporting logic, analytical standards and performance-review routines.
• Identify, assess and prioritize inventory-optimization opportunities across operational, tactical and strategic levers.
• Evaluate and quantify measures involving planning parameters, service policies, safety stocks, replenishment approaches, lead times, batch sizes, minimum order quantities, production strategies, network flows, sourcing models and product lifecycles.
• Develop scenarios, recommendations, business cases and implementation approaches that make trade-offs between inventory, service, cost, capacity, quality and resilience transparent.
• Initiate and facilitate cross-functional problem solving for material inventory issues, structural drivers and improvement opportunities.
• Translate opportunities into pragmatic initiatives with clear owners, expected impact, milestones, risks and dependencies, while supporting accountable teams without taking over their operational responsibilities.
• Define and improve global inventory-management standards, methodologies, decision principles and governance routines.
• Integrate inventory considerations into relevant planning and decision-making processes, including S&OP / Integrated Business Planning, demand and supply planning, capacity planning, production planning, network allocation and portfolio management.
• Define requirements for inventory-related data, reporting, analytics, master data, planning parameters and system improvements in cooperation with relevant process owners.
• Prepare clear management reports and decision materials, promote best-practice sharing across regions and plants, and escalate material risks or unresolved trade-offs through the appropriate governance forums.

Qualifications

• University degree in Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, Operations Management, Logistics, Finance or a comparable discipline.
• At least 7 years of professional experience in Supply Chain Management, with a focus on inventory management, supply or demand planning, production planning, S&OP / Integrated Business Planning, logistics or related functions.
• Sound understanding of end-to-end Supply Chain processes and the interdependencies between demand, supply, production, capacity, inventory, distribution, customer service, cost, working capital, quality and resilience.
• Proven experience analyzing inventory drivers, developing improvement measures and supporting implementation in a complex operational environment.
• Experience leading cross-functional improvement initiatives and influencing stakeholders in an international matrix organization.
• Strong expertise in inventory and planning KPIs, analytical methods, scenario development, root-cause analysis and business-case preparation.
• Experience with SAP S/4HANA and relevant planning or inventory-management modules; knowledge of SAP IBP, advanced planning and scheduling solutions or reporting platforms is an advantage.
• Industry experience in Food & Beverage, Ingredients, FMCG, process manufacturing or a comparable environment is an advantage.
• Ability to lead through functional expertise, credibility, structured problem solving and constructive challenge without direct operational authority.
• Strong capability to mobilize stakeholders, facilitate cross-functional decisions and drive initiatives from analysis through sustained implementation.
• Strong analytical, strategic and systems-thinking skills, combined with a pragmatic, hands-on and solution-oriented approach.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills, business-fluent English and willingness to travel internationally on a selective basis; German is an advantage.

Additional Information

What We Offer:

• Work with passion: ​We create an environment where passion meets profession. Meaningful work and positive energy inspire people to give their best and make lasting contribution to our shared success.
• Take ownership: ​We empower you to take ownership and share your ideas. Whatever your role, you have the opportunity to show initiative and make an impact.
• Grow your way: ​With flexible development opportunities across departments and a global team, you can broaden your skills, discover new strengths and actively shape your career path. ​ ​
• Thrive in a global environment: ​Join an international team bringing together multiple cultures, languages and perspectives to spark new ideas and inspiration. Through global collaboration, you expand your horizon both professionally and personally.  ​
• The team always wins: ​We build real connections and grow together. By sharing knowledge and valuing each other’s strengths, we create a culture where trust and team play lead to shared success.  ​

What We Offer:

• Work with passion: ​We create an environment where passion meets profession. Meaningful work and positive energy inspire people to give their best and make lasting contribution to our shared success.
• Take ownership: ​We empower you to take ownership and share your ideas. Whatever your role, you have the opportunity to show initiative and make an impact.
• Grow your way: ​With flexible development opportunities across departments and a global team, you can broaden your skills, discover new strengths and actively shape your career path. ​ ​
• Thrive in a global environment: ​Join an international team bringing together multiple cultures, languages and perspectives to spark new ideas and inspiration. Through global collaboration, you expand your horizon both professionally and personally.  ​
• The team always wins: ​We build real connections and grow together. By sharing knowledge and valuing each other’s strengths, we create a culture where trust and team play lead to shared success.  ​

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Equal Opportunities for All

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds regardless of age, ancestry, disability, ethnic origin, gender, gender identity or expression, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, social background or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.​
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A good match starts with shared values. Complete our Culture Fit Challenge to find out how well your mindset aligns with the way we work.

Does it feel like a fit? Then apply through our online career portal and attach it to your application. Please note that we are unable to consider or return application documents sent by post.