Inventory Manager

Job Title: Inventory Manager

Reports to: Supply Chain Manager, Ornua Foods North America Inc

Location: Evanston, IL

Company Background:

Ornua is a dairy co-operative which sells dairy products on behalf of its members, Ireland’s dairy processors and, in turn, Irish dairy farmers. It is Ireland’s largest exporter of Irish dairy products, exporting to 110 countries worldwide. Headquartered in Dublin, Ornua has annualised sales of over €3.5 billion and a global team of 3,000 employees.

Ornua is structured across two divisions: Ornua Foods and Ornua Ingredients. We operate from 10 business units worldwide, including 16 production facilities, and have sales and marketing teams working in-market across the globe in Africa, Asia, Germany, Ireland, the Middle East, Spain, the UK, and the US.

You may know us by our brands Kerrygold, Dubliner, Pilgrim’s Choice, Avantage, Forto, and BEO.

Ornua Foods North America Inc is based in Evanston, Illinois and we market and sell Kerrygold butter and cheese in the North American and LATAM markets. We are the number two butter brand in the US and number one in the specialty cheddar cheese market.

Ornua Ingredients is responsible for the procurement of Irish and non-Irish dairy products and for the sale of dairy ingredients to food manufacturing and foodservice customers across the world. Ornua Ingredients is also responsible for managing volatility through de-risking and trading strategies. The business is supported by production facilities in Saudi Arabia, Spain, the UK, the US and by in-market teams in Africa and the Middle East.

Ornua’s Values:

At Ornua, our Values lie at the core of everything that we do and how we behave both individually and as a business. Our five values, and their underlying behaviours, encourage us to Seek and Embrace New Ideas, Make It Happen, Be Our True Selves, Show You Care and Achieve Great Things Together.

Ornua’s Growth:

At Ornua, our co-operative ethos lies at the heart of how we do business. We care passionately about driving sustainable, profitable growth, underpinned by our ambitious ‘Path to Prosper’ strategy. We have delivered significant growth in our core business, and we have ambitious plans for continued growth over the next five years.

Job Summary:

We are seeking a detail-oriented and results-driven Inventory Manager to oversee the efficient management of inventory and ensure seamless service fulfillment processes. This role requires an individual who can lead a small team of two analysts while ensuring that inventory maintained in 4 external warehouses is controlled, tracked, and optimized to meet service level requirements. The Inventory Manager will play a crucial role in ensuring product availability, minimizing stock discrepancies, and driving the operational success of the supply chain.

Key Responsibilities:

• Inventory Control & Management: Oversee the day-to-day operations of inventory control processes, ensuring accuracy, proper stock levels, and minimizing excess or obsolete inventory.
• Service Fulfillment Optimization: Collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g., Supply Chain, Sales, Customer Service) to ensure timely and accurate fulfillment of orders, driving efficiencies and reducing lead times while ensuring customer satisfaction.
• Team Management: Lead, mentor, and support two inventory analysts. Provide training and development opportunities to help the team achieve individual and collective goals.
• Reporting & Analytics: Generate and analyze inventory reports to identify trends, issues, and opportunities for improvement. Provide data-driven recommendations to senior management to enhance inventory strategies and service performance.
• Process Improvement: Identify, recommend, and implement process improvements to enhance inventory accuracy, reduce waste, and improve service fulfillment efficiency. Monitor performance and KPIs to ensure continuous improvement.
• Collaboration & Communication: Work closely with warehouses, freight brokers, and other external partners to ensure accurate order fulfillment, effective stock management, and alignment with business goals.
• Compliance & Safety: Ensure that inventory management practices adhere to company policies, industry standards, and regulatory requirements. Promote a culture of safety and compliance within the inventory management team.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, or a related field (preferred).
• 3+ years of experience in inventory management, supply chain, or logistics, with at least 1 year in a leadership or team management role. US food (dairy or short shelf life) experience is preferable.
• Strong understanding of inventory management systems, ERP software (M3 or SAP preferred), and data analysis tools.
• Proven experience in service fulfillment and managing inventory accuracy.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate across departments.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with a data-driven mindset.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of safety and regulatory compliance related to inventory management is a plus.

The salary range for this role is $84,000 to $115,500; the candidate will be offered a salary commensurate with their level of experience.

Total Rewards at Ornua Foods North America will include a competitive salary and annual bonus scheme. The following are a list of other benefits you can avail of: low employee contribution for Medical, Vision and Dental benefits cover; 401k; Paid Time Off; Maternity Leave (20 weeks); Parental Leave; Flexible working; Fitness Reimbursement; Charity Donation; Complimentary Kerrygold products; Free car parking and secure bicycle storage; Free healthy snacks and drinks in the office; Reward & Recognition program; Volunteering opportunities; Service Anniversary Awards.

Ornua Foods North America Inc is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS OCTOBER 6TH

Nearest Major Market: Chicago
Job Segment: Sustainable Agriculture, Agriculture