Inventory Analyst

Join the Carolina Cat Team

As a family-owned company under our fourth generation of leadership, we have built our business based on the principles of trust, integrity, and a desire to help our customers and employees succeed.

Since 1926, we’ve supported our communities by supplying equipment for critical infrastructure and commerce and by donating our time and resources to area nonprofits. We make smart investments in our company and continuously improve as part of our vision to be a trailblazing company that’s built to last.

We’re looking for hard-working, team-oriented professionals who enjoy working on new challenges every day. We believe our employees are the key to our success, and we’re committed to providing a work experience that helps our team grow to their full potential.

Collectively, our employees work together to make a difference for our customers, our communities, and our company. Learn more about what it means to become a team member with Carolina Cat.

Summary

The Inventory Control Analyst is responsible for maintaining inventory accuracy, item master governance, inventory policy execution, and inventory optimization activities across Carolina Cat's branch network and distribution center. This position serves as a key resource for inventory data management, cycle count governance, replenishment execution, audit support, and inventory process compliance.

The role partners closely with Operations, Purchasing, Supply Chain, and Branch Leadership to ensure inventory records are accurate, inventory policies are effectively executed, Warehouse Management System (WMS) data is properly maintained, and inventory availability supports customer fulfillment objectives. This position also coordinates surplus inventory return programs and drives continuous improvement initiatives related to inventory performance and operational excellence.

Essential Functions

• Inventory Master Data Management:
  • Create and maintain item master records, including part setup, pricing, supersessions, sourcing information, stocking attributes, and inventory classifications.
  • Maintain WMS item attributes, including LPG/PPG assignments and other required warehouse execution parameters.
  • Support testing, validation, and implementation of inventory-related system enhancements and process improvements.
• Inventory Policy Execution:
  • Support testing, validation, and implementation of inventory-related system enhancements and process improvements.
  • Review and maintain min/max settings, reorder parameters, stocking classifications, and replenishment settings.
  • Analyze inventory performance and identify opportunities to improve stocking effectiveness, inventory productivity, and service levels.
  • Monitor stock outages and inventory exceptions and provide recommendations for corrective action.
• Replenishment & Purchasing Support:
  • Execute routine replenishment and purchase order activities in accordance with established inventory policies.
  • Execute routine replenishment and purchase order activities in accordance with established inventory policies.
  • Monitor backorders, supplier lead times, and inventory availability issues and escalate exceptions as appropriate.
• Cycle Count Governance & Inventory Accuracy:
  • Own the administration and governance of the company cycle count program.
  • Establish count schedules, count frequency, and inventory populations based on inventory policies and business requirements.
  • Create cycle count assignments and direct branch and warehouse operations on inventory counting requirements.
  • Monitor cycle count completion, compliance, and inventory accuracy performance.
  • Review count variances, investigate root causes, coordinate recounts, and recommend corrective actions.
  • Develop reporting and provide governance to ensure inventory count execution is completed accurately and on schedule.
  • Support annual physical inventories and inventory audit activities.
• Inventory Governance & Operational Compliance:
  • Monitor inventory transactions including receipts, transfers, returns, adjustments, and write-offs for compliance and accuracy.
  • Analyze inventory adjustments and discrepancies to identify trends and root causes.
  • Partner with branch and warehouse personnel to improve inventory processes and operational compliance.
  • Support inventory-related internal and external audit requirements.
  • Ensure adherence to inventory policies, procedures, and operating standards.
• Surplus Inventory & Returns Management:
  • Facilitate and coordinate surplus inventory return programs, including Rapid Returns and other vendor return opportunities.
  • Identify excess and obsolete inventory eligible for return, transfer, liquidation, or other disposition strategies.
  • Partner with operations and suppliers to maximize inventory recovery and reduce excess inventory investment.
  • Monitor return program compliance, timelines, and financial results.
• Reporting & Continuous Improvement:
  • Developed and maintained inventory reporting, KPI dashboards, and analytical tools while collaborating with Data and BI teams to enhance reporting capabilities and deliver new business insights.
  • Analyze inventory health metrics, fill rates, stock availability, inventory turns, and inventory accuracy.
  • Support annual inventory reviews and inventory optimization initiatives.
  • Identify and implement process improvements that enhance inventory accuracy, fulfillment performance, and operational efficiency.
  • Provide inventory analysis and recommendations to support operational and business decisions.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualifying individuals to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

• Three (3) or more years of experience in inventory control, inventory management, supply chain, purchasing support, warehouse operations, or related analytical roles.
• Experience working with ERP and Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)
• Experience supporting cross-functional stakeholders

Technical Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to work across large, complex datasets.
• Proficiency in Excel, Power BI,
• Solid understanding of supply chain concepts, cost drivers, and operational performance metrics.

Communication

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present insights clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to influence decision-making without direct authority through data clarity and business understanding.
• Comfortable operating in fast-paced, operationally driven environments.

Workplace Requirements

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit. The employee must frequently lift, carry, push, pull and /or otherwise move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this Job, depending on site location, the employee may be exposed to moving mechanical parts and equipment. The employee may occasionally be exposed to high, precarious places, fumes or airborne particles; outside weather conditions and vibration. The employee may occasionally be exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; toxic or caustic chemicals; extreme cold; extreme heat and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in some work environments is occasionally loud.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer

We require all employees to treat all our employees and candidates as equals. All personnel actions are conducted in the spirit of equal employment. We’re committed to recruit, train, promote and retain associates without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identification and expression, national origin, marital status, age, disability, genetic information, military status, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state or federal laws.

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