Inventory Team Manager

About Shepherd Electric Supply
Since 1892, Shepherd Electric Supply has been the first call when complex, time-critical electrical challenges need to be solved, and reliability truly matters. We move materials accurately and on time, so contractors stay on schedule, projects stay on track, and customers never have to wonder if we will come through.
Our success comes from people who take pride in doing things the right way — safely, accurately, and with care for teammates and customers alike. If you want to do work that matters at a company that notices, this is the place.
Why This Role Matters
Inventory accuracy is the foundation everything else at Shepherd stands on. When the count in the system matches what is on the shelf, sales can quote with confidence, the warehouse can fulfill without scrambling, and customers get what they ordered the first time. When it is off, every function downstream pays for it — in rework, in delays, and in trust.
The Inventory Control Manager owns that accuracy across our footprint — Baltimore, Laurel, Frederick, Washington DC, and Northern Virginia. This is not a role that counts product and closes tickets. It is the role responsible for building an inventory operation that holds up when volume spikes, when product moves fast, and when the margin for error is zero. You set the standard, develop the team, and own the numbers — not just on the days they are clean, but on the days they are not.
When inventory is right, the whole company runs better. Sales trusts the system. The warehouse fulfills clean. Customers keep calling back. That starts here.
Work Shift and Hours:
Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 4:00pm

or depending on business needs.
Compensation Details:
The expected base salary for this position is starting at $55,000 annually, more depending on experience and negotiations.
How This Role Connects to Our Compass
We Keep Our Promises:

The number in the system is a promise — to sales, to the warehouse, and to the customer counting on what it says. You own that number. When a count is off, you find out why and you make it right before it becomes someone else’s problem.
We Stay Hungry:
 You are always asking what could be more accurate, better organized, or caught sooner. You surface patterns, not just one-off discrepancies, and you push for root cause over a quick adjustment. You do not just maintain the count — you improve how it stays right.
We Grow Together:
 Inventory does not work in isolation. You coordinate with the warehouse, purchasing, and branch teams across every location. You develop your team so accuracy does not depend on one person — and you share what works so every branch gets better.
We Own It:
 You do not pass a discrepancy forward or explain it away. When a process lets errors through, you redesign it. When a location drifts out of tolerance, you engage. Ownership here means the whole team knows what the standard is and holds to it.
We Go Above & Beyond:
 You see the gap before it becomes a stockout or a write-off. You flag the recurring error before it costs margin. You anticipate the count that will cause trouble at month-end and you get ahead of it. That is what above-and-beyond looks like in inventory control.
Key Outcomes -
Organized by what matters, not just what you do.
Inventory Accuracy & Integrity
Own inventory accuracy across all locations — cycle counts, physical inventory, bin location maintenance, and discrepancy resolution
Develop and implement strategies that keep on-hand counts accurate day to day, not just at year-end
Treat every discrepancy as a signal requiring root cause investigation, not an isolated adjustment to close out
Flag recurring discrepancy patterns for systemic review and drive them to resolution
Oversee and coordinate product counts and the staging of materials within designated areas
Team Leadership & Development
Lead and manage the Inventory Control team, fostering a collaborative, accountable, and efficient work environment
Provide training, guidance, and support so team members execute accurately without close supervision
Coach and hold team members accountable through direct, consistent feedback — not just documentation
Build bench depth so inventory accuracy does not depend on heroics or any single person
Set clear expectations aligned with the Shepherd Compass and enforce them fairly
Process, Quality & Compliance
Ensure adherence to quality assurance processes and procedures at every location
Establish and continuously improve inventory controls that catch errors before they reach the customer
Protect company assets through disciplined counting, receiving, and reconciliation practices
Perform all other associated tasks as assigned by the leadership team
Warehouse Systems & Documentation
Utilize and oversee the warehouse management system to ensure accurate maintenance of work documents and inventory records
Ensure all inbound freight is received accurately, exceptions are documented, and overages, shortages, or damages are resolved before entering inventory
Maintain organized, audit-ready documentation that supports reporting and reconciliation
Manage the safe operation of all necessary warehouse equipment and tools used in inventory work
Cross-Location Coordination & Improvement
Communicate clearly with the warehouse, purchasing, sales, and branch leadership to keep operations seamless
Coordinate inventory processes consistently across Baltimore, Laurel, Frederick, Washington DC, and Northern Virginia
Surface inefficiencies and recurring errors — and act on them, not just report them
Recommend and test process changes that improve accuracy, speed, or team capacity
What Success Looks Like
- After 90 days, you and your supervisor should both be able to point to these markers:
Inventory is organized, bin locations are current, and discrepancies are investigated — not ignored
Cycle counts and reconciliations run on a disciplined, predictable cadence across locations
Inbound freight is received accurately and exceptions are documented and resolved before end of day
The Inventory Control team knows what is expected and executes without being managed by the hour
Recurring discrepancy patterns are identified, root-caused, and closed — not repeated
At least one meaningful process improvement has been identified, tested, and implemented in your first 90 days
Leadership trusts that the count is right when they are not watching
Who Thrives Here
 - This role is a strong fit if:
You own outcomes, not just activities — you do not leave a discrepancy for the next shift
You are extremely detail-oriented and treat accuracy as non-negotiable
You develop your team by raising their capability, not by covering their gaps
You communicate directly — with your team, with purchasing, with sales, and with branch leadership
You stay organized and accurate under pressure, especially when volume spikes or staffing is short
You treat inventory discrepancies as signals, not inconveniences — and you chase the root cause
You want to build something that stays accurate without you in the room
Qualifications & Requirements
High school diploma or equivalent required; bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred
3–5 years of experience in inventory control, with at least 1 year in a supervisory or managerial role
Extremely detail-oriented with strong organizational skills
Proficiency with computer applications, particularly Microsoft Office; familiarity with warehouse management systems preferred
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Professional and pleasant demeanor, both in person and over the phone
Ability to travel between Mid-Atlantic locations as needed
Ability to lift up to 60 lbs. regularly and perform the physical requirements of the role
Ability to successfully complete pre-employment screening requirements
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals occupying this position of employment. It is not int