Operations Delivery Lead, Inventory Control

Job Description

Job Summary

The Operations Delivery Lead, Inventory Control reports directly to the Multi-Unit Manager and plays a critical role in driving inventory accuracy, disciplined stockroom execution, and consistent operational standards across assigned airport retail locations. This role supports store teams by coaching on inventory routines, replenishment expectations, stock handling, and data integrity practices while helping identify and escalate performance or execution concerns. This role partners closely with Multi-Site Managers, store leaders, the Central Store Support Center, and project teams to resolve inventory discrepancies, reduce stock shrink, address negative on-hand inventory, improve process adoption, and support customer-ready stores in a high-traffic travel retail environment.

Core Responsibilities

• Report directly to the Multi-Unit Manager and support execution of inventory control priorities across assigned store locations.
• Coach and support store teams on shipment processing, stock receiving, stockroom organization, replenishment routines, inventory accuracy, shrink-reduction practices, and data integrity expectations.
• Identify team execution gaps, recurring process issues, training needs, or performance concerns related to inventory control and escalate timely, objective observations to the Multi-Unit Manager and appropriate store leadership.
• Partner with Multi-Site Managers and store leaders to prioritize shipment processing, replenishment, inventory adjustments, cycle counts, and back-of-house standards in alignment with business needs.
• Collaborate with the Central Store Support Center to research inventory discrepancies, resolve negative on-hand inventory, support item-level data corrections, and ensure accurate follow-through on inventory-related requests.
• Support project teams by providing field feedback, completing assigned inventory or operational project tasks, assisting with process rollouts, and helping drive adoption of new tools, procedures, and reporting expectations.
• Receive, unload, sort, stage, and verify incoming shipments to confirm quantities, product condition, shipment documentation, and system information are accurate.
• Process merchandise efficiently by unpacking, tagging, pricing, organizing, and routing product to the appropriate stockroom, staging, or sales floor location.
• Maintain accurate inventory records by supporting cycle counts, stock checks, discrepancy research, damages processing, markdowns, inventory adjustments, and corrective follow-up as directed.
• Monitor and help reduce stock shrink by reinforcing receiving controls, product movement standards, damages documentation, secure storage practices, and accurate inventory activity reporting.
• Review inventory information, negative on-hand reports, stock variances, and replenishment data to identify trends, root causes, and opportunities to improve accuracy and execution.
• Execute replenishment routines to keep high-demand merchandise, promotional items, travel essentials, news, gifts, and impulse products available for customers.
• Maintain an organized, safe, and efficient back-of-house environment by ensuring product is stored, labeled, rotated, secured, and accessible according to Company standards.
• Communicate shipment issues, inventory concerns, shrink indicators, damaged goods, low-stock conditions, negative on-hand concerns, and field feedback to leadership in a timely and professional manner.
• Support store readiness by maintaining organized sales floor displays, recovering merchandise, and ensuring product presentation aligns with merchandising standards.
• Assist with opening and closing procedures as assigned, including required documentation, store security, and operational readiness.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Pay $18.25 per hour

Job Requirements

Job Requirements

• 1+ year of experience in a fast-paced retail, stockroom, receiving, replenishment, or inventory support environment.

• Ability to use retail technology and operational systems, including handheld scanners, inventory tools, Microsoft Office, Outlook, Word, Excel, and inventory reporting resources.
• Ability to coach and support team members on operational routines, inventory procedures, replenishment expectations, and accurate data entry practices.
• Ability to identify, document, and escalate inventory execution gaps, recurring process issues, shrink indicators, negative on-hand concerns, and performance-related observations in a timely and objective manner.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with store leadership, Multi-Site Managers, the Multi-Unit Manager, the Central Store Support Center, and project teams to resolve issues and support process improvements.
• Ability to travel between assigned store locations as needed.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, attention-to-detail, interpersonal, and written and verbal English communication skills.
• Basic math skills and accuracy when counting merchandise, reviewing shipment documentation, researching variances, reviewing negative on-hand inventory, and supporting inventory activities.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced airport retail environment while managing multiple stock, shipment, replenishment, reporting, and inventory-control priorities.
• Ability to work assigned shifts, which may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays, consistent with shipment schedules and operational needs.
• Ability to perform physical retail and stockroom activities, including standing, walking, bending, reaching, handling merchandise, pushing or pulling carts, and lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to accurately review product pricing, item labels, shipment details, inventory information, and system data and communicate effectively with customers and coworkers.
• Must meet and maintain all job-related credentialing, screening, certification, and security requirements applicable to the assigned location.
• Ability to follow Company policies, receiving procedures, inventory controls, loss-prevention expectations, safety requirements, and airport security protocols.
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Preferred Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.
• Two or more years of retail stockroom, receiving, replenishment, inventory, logistics, operations, or supervisory experience.
• Previous experience supporting stockroom standards, shipment processing, inventory accuracy, shrink reduction, negative on-hand resolution, or merchandise flow across multiple retail locations or business units.
• Previous experience collaborating with centralized support teams, field leadership, or project teams to support operational rollouts, inventory reporting, or process improvement initiatives.

Additional Location and Role-Specific Requirements

• Successfully complete and maintain applicable food safety (Servsafe), food-handler, alcohol-awareness (TAM), or similar certifications.

• Successfully complete required concept-specific, brand-specific, operational, or safety training.
• Additional security clearances, satisfactory criminal background checks and drug testing, and the ability to obtain and maintain required airport security credentials may be required.

About Us

WHSmith is a leading global travel retailer with over 1,700 stores across 30 countries worldwide. WHSmith North America, incorporating Marshall Retail Group (MRG) and InMotion, represents over half of the Company’s international store estate, with a collection of attractive, successful specialty retail stores located in airports and resorts across North America.

EEO/ADA/DFWP

WHSmith North America is committed to employing a diverse workforce. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin/ancestry, age, gender identity, gender expression, military/veteran status, marital status, disability status or any other basis prohibited by law.