Sr Inventory Controls Specialist

The Position

The Sr Inventory Controls Specialist supports execution of the global inventory management strategy across the MSD division. The role focuses on driving inventory performance improvements, coordinating Inventory Control Leads (ICLs) across multiple sites, and leading cross-functional inventory optimization initiatives.

In addition to inventory governance and project leadership, the role owns selected inventory-related processes and contributes to broader supply chain transformation initiatives, ensuring that inventory impact, risk and total cost considerations are fully embedded in decision making.

Key Responsibilities

Inventory Improvement Projects

• Lead and coordinate cross-functional inventory improvement projects across Planning, Procurement, Operations and Finance.
• Drive initiatives focused on reduction of above-entitlement inventory, excess & obsolete (E&O), and overall inventory optimization.
• Support root cause analysis of inventory issues and definition of corrective actions.
• Ensure structured project execution (scope, milestones, tracking, delivery).

Inventory Performance & Governance

• Support management of global inventory performance, including Net Inventory, DOS, Above Entitlement Inventory and E&O.
• Track and consolidate inventory performance across sites and provide structured visibility on key drivers, risks and opportunities.
• Support preparation of inventory reporting for leadership reviews (MBRs, QBRs, S&OP Executive meetings).
• Ensure consistent use of inventory definitions, KPIs and reporting standards across all sites.

Coordination of Inventory Control Leads

• Act as a central coordination point for Inventory Control Leads across MSD sites.
• Drive alignment on inventory priorities, actions and timelines across sites.
• Facilitate regular review cadence
• Share best practices and support capability building across the ICL community.
• Follow up on actions and ensure accountability for inventory improvement initiatives.

E&O Management

• Drive structured management of Excess & Obsolete inventory (E&O) across all sites.
• Ensure transparency of E&O drivers, categories and aging across the division.
• Coordinate E&O mitigation activities (rework, reuse, resale, scrapping) in collaboration with sites and cross-functional teams.
• Develop and maintain E&O forecasting, including expected creation, consumption and mitigation of E&O.
• Integrate E&O outlook into broader inventory forecasts and leadership reporting.

Inventory Processes Ownership

• Own and continuously improve the Just-in-Time (JIT) process, ensuring alignment with inventory strategy and operational execution across sites.
• Own governance and development of Consignment processes (VOMI, VOI), including standardization, deployment and performance tracking.
• Define and maintain process standards, KPIs and best practices for both JIT and consignment models.
• Ensure alignment of these processes with inventory entitlement logic and working capital targets.

Inventory Processes & Tools

• Support deployment and adoption of inventory tools and frameworks (e.g., SPARK).
• Ensure consistent application of inventory entitlement logic and governance.
• Contribute to standardization of inventory processes across sites.
• Support improvements in MRP parameter governance (MOQ, safety stock, order frequency, safety time).

Supply Base Transformation & Financial Alignment

• Actively participate in supply base transformation initiatives, representing inventory management perspective.
• Evaluate and quantify inventory impact of supplier and sourcing decisions (e.g., lead time changes, MOQ, location shifts).
• Ensure Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) considerations include inventory, working capital and risk implications.
• Collaborate with Procurement, Finance and Planning to balance cost, service level and inventory trade-offs.

Financial & Cross-functional Alignment

• Collaborate with Finance on inventory targets, forecasts and mitigation tracking.
• Contribute to inventory forecasting processes (AOP, quarterly outlooks).
• Ensure E&O is fully reflected in inventory projections and financial expectations.

Requirements

• Experience in Supply Chain, Inventory Management or Operations.
• Strong understanding of inventory concepts (DOS, entitlement, E&O, MRP basics).
• Understanding of JIT and consignment models in manufacturing environment.
• Ability to evaluate trade-offs between cost, inventory and service levels (TCO mindset).
• Experience with inventory and E&O analysis, reporting and forecasting.
• Ability to coordinate activities across multiple stakeholders and locations.
• Experience in project management or process improvement.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work in a global environment.

Competencies

• Structured and data-driven mindset.
• Strong coordination and follow-up discipline.
• Ability to drive alignment without direct authority.
• Strong business and financial acumen (including TCO thinking).
• Problem-solving and root cause analysis.
• Clear and concise communication.
• Ownership and accountability.

What we offer

• Flexible working hours to better balance your personal life
• 25 days of vacation and 5 sick days/year
• Home office possibility
• Financial benefits - annual bonus, meal allowance, pension insurance allowance
• Further employee benefits - a mobile tariff for you and family members for great prices, free Multisport card, the possibility of life or health insurance
• We have a modern work environment including relax zones, power yoga lectures, gym, outside playground, and massages in the building. In the company canteen, there is always fresh fruit and vegetable for free and much more!