Position SummaryThe Director, Master Data & Inventory Management owns two foundational supply chain disciplines across a 46-location, multisite distribution business: the integrity of the company's core master data and the accuracy and health of its inventory. Both are prerequisites for reliable service, disciplined working capital, and the ability to scale a growing branch network.
As the owner of the company's part-numbering scheme and item taxonomy, this leader sets and enforces the standards that keep item, supplier, and product data clean, complete, and consistent across every site and system. In parallel, they own inventory accuracy and control across the network - location and bin standards, cycle counting, and the management of excess and obsolete stock. Because planning, purchasing, pricing, and eCommerce all depend on trustworthy data and inventory positions, this role demands precision, strong follow-through, and a hands-on, field-focused presence in the branches.
Key ResponsibilitiesMaster Data Management- Own the part-numbering scheme. Serve as the enterprise owner of the part-numbering scheme and item taxonomy - defining, documenting, and maintaining the standard that governs how items are structured and classified across the business.
- Govern the item and supplier master. Establish and enforce data governance for item, supplier, and product-attribute records - including standards, naming conventions, and required fields - so master data quality is sustained rather than eroded over time.
- Control new-item setup and changes. Design and run a controlled new-item request and change-management workflow so records are created correctly and consistently the first time, with clear ownership and approvals.
- Ensure data accuracy across systems. Maintain the accuracy, completeness, and consistency of master data in the ERP and the downstream systems it feeds, including eCommerce and product catalogs.
- Protect customer-facing data integrity. Identify and correct errors in units of measure, descriptions, and product attributes that affect quoting, ordering, and customer-facing accuracy.
- Standardize across sites and acquisitions. Consolidate and normalize master data across locations - including newly acquired businesses - so every site works from common, trusted data rather than local variations.
- Measure and report data quality. Define master-data quality metrics and reporting so issues are visible, prioritized, and resolved.
Inventory Management- Own inventory accuracy. Take responsibility for inventory accuracy across all locations - ensuring on-hand system quantities match the physical shelf so the entire network can trust the numbers.
- Standardize locations and bins. Establish consistent warehouse location and bin standards across the network so stock can be found, picked, and counted reliably at every site.
- Run a cycle-counting / physical inventory program. Design and operate a rotating cycle-count program that sustains high inventory accuracy. Also create and manage a physical inventory program for the company
- Manage excess and obsolete inventory. Establish processes to identify, review, and disposition slow-moving, excess, and non-sellable stock - converting idle inventory back into cash and shelf space.
- Set and maintain inventory policy. Partner with planning and purchasing to set and maintain stocking parameters (min/max, safety stock, replenishment settings) that balance service levels against working capital.
- Report inventory health. Own inventory KPIs - accuracy, turns, aging, and availability - and the reporting that keeps leadership and the branches aligned.
Leadership- Build and lead the teams. Stand up, coach, and develop the master data and inventory management teams, building repeatable, scalable processes in place of location-by-location workarounds.
- Scale with the business. Design data and inventory standards that let the company onboard new and acquired locations quickly onto common practices.
QualificationsRequired- Part-numbering / item-master ownership. Demonstrated experience building, owning, or governing a structured part-numbering scheme or item-master taxonomy in a distribution or similar product-driven environment.
- SQL proficiency. Hands-on ability to query, profile, and cleanse large data sets directly with SQL.
- Advanced Excel. Heavy, expert-level Excel - pivot tables, advanced formulas and lookups, Power Query, and comfort manipulating large data files.
- Multisite distribution experience. Proven track record managing master data and/or inventory across a multisite distribution network - location and bin standards, cycle counting, and inventory accuracy at scale.
- Field-focused and hands-on. Willing and eager to be on the branch floor and in the racks - verifying locations and counts in person - with exceptional attention to detail and a relentless follow-through mindset.
- Detail-oriented and process-driven. Meticulous about accuracy and consistency, and disciplined about turning one-time cleanup into governed, sustainable process.
Preferred- ERP experience. Working knowledge of ERP item and inventory data structures and setup (e.g., Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, SAP, Oracle, or similar).
- Industrial / MRO distribution background. Familiarity with industrial, MRO, or similar catalog-heavy distribution product data and operations.
- M&A data integration. Experience consolidating and normalizing data from acquired businesses onto common standards.
Measures of Success (First 12 Months)- A documented, enforced part-numbering and item-taxonomy standard adopted across locations.
- A governed new-item and change-management workflow in place, with master-data quality measurably improved.
- Standardized location/bin structures and a rotating cycle-count program operating network-wide, with inventory accuracy tracked and trending up.
- An active excess-and-obsolete review cadence converting idle inventory into cash and shelf space.
