Inventory Returns Manager

Description

VETERANS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

Lonestar Electric Supply is seeking an Inventory Returns Manager to lead company-wide inventory recovery efforts and drive strategies that maximize value from excess, slow-moving, and obsolete inventory. This role is responsible for evaluating inventory positions across branches, determining optimal recovery strategies, and negotiating with vendors to improve financial outcomes. The Inventory Returns Manager will operate with a high level of autonomy, exercising independent judgment in financial decision-making and influencing cross-functional execution to improve inventory performance and working capital.

Responsibilities:
• Analyze company-wide inventory to identify excess, aging, and non-performing stock, including long-term aged inventory.
• Determine optimal recovery strategies, including vendor return, transfer, or alternative disposition approaches based on financial impact.
• Evaluate and make decisions on acceptable credit levels, restocking fees, and recovery tradeoffs.
• Lead vendor negotiations to secure favorable return terms, credits, and recovery outcomes.
• Evaluate vendor return programs and determine when to escalate, negotiate, or pursue alternative recovery strategies.
• Develop and implement company-wide standards, policies, and procedures for inventory returns and recovery.
• Establish guidelines for return eligibility, documentation requirements, and compliance standards.
• Provide direction to branch and operations teams and ensure adherence to established processes.
• Identify inefficiencies in return workflows and implement process improvements to reduce write-offs and increase recovery value.
• Serve as the central point of authority for inventory recovery decisions across the organization.
• Partner with Finance, Purchasing, and Operations leadership to align recovery strategies with business objectives.
• Monitor and report on key performance metrics including total recovery dollars, inventory turns, and reduction of aged inventory.
• Review and validate vendor credits to ensure alignment with negotiated terms.
• Provide insights and recommendations to leadership on inventory exposure and recovery opportunities.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management.

Requirements:
• 5+ years of experience in inventory management, purchasing, vendor relations, or supply chain operations.
• Strong analytical and financial decision-making skills with the ability to evaluate recovery strategies and tradeoffs.
• Proven experience negotiating with vendors and managing complex return or recovery scenarios.
• Experience working within ERP systems, preferably Epicor Eclipse.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and make decisions in non-routine situations.
• Strong communication and leadership skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Physical Requirements:
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.

Benefits:
• Medical, dental, life and vision insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan and Match
• Paid Time Off
• Specified Holiday Pay

Disclaimer:
This job description is a general outline of the day-to-day duties to be expected and may not cover all job responsibilities that may be assigned by management.