Parts Inventory Manager

Under general direction of the Procurement and Contracts Manager/DBELO, the Parts Inventory Manager is responsible and accountable for the direction, daily decision making and control of Parts Division. Work is performed in a dynamic environment and results in fiscal and programmatic impacts to the agency. This position requires stable leadership exhibiting emotional intelligence when managing staff, vendor, and other professional relationships and interactions.  This role will provide technical guidance, manages work activities of represented and non-represented staff, establishes, maintains, and organizes a perpetual parts inventory system and acts as a project manager for multiple supplier/service contracts. This position supervises and directs the purchasing, handling, safekeeping, management, and monitoring of warranties for inventory valued at over $2 million.  Additionally, the Parts Inventory Manager determines and manages inventory levels, develops divisional goals, objectives, policies, and procedures as well as advising and collaborating with managers and directors to meet their strategic needs.  This position ensures suppliers are provided with an exceptional experience, making Community Transit an agency of choice. 

1. Manages the agency’s functions as related to parts, materials and equipment support for Maintenance, Information Technology, and other departments.  Advises Maintenance Director and Managers, IT Managers, and Committees of the Board of Directors on significant issues related to parts inventory availability, procurement, and support. These impacts decisions made in Vehicle Maintenance, Facilities Maintenance, TVM Equipment and Parts, Procurement, Training, and Finance.  Translates the corporate business plan, mission critical vehicle maintenance strategies and component rebuild forecasts into parts inventory and material support plans.  Continuously monitors inventory requirements to ensure buses and Maintenance team is not held up for parts. While also ensuring that all parts are stored in limited storage space and in a manner that idle parts provide insurance rather than wasted opportunities, within the financial limits of inventory management.
2. Supervises Parts Inventory staff to include: makes hiring decisions; Conduct performance management duties including identifying training, development, disciplinary and termination recommendations; develops work schedules and overtime assignments to meet operational requirements; prioritizes and assigns work plans and performance goals; directs and mentors staff; motivates and coaches employees towards active and responsible participation in daily work assignments to align with department and company values; ensures staff is trained; interprets and monitors performance standards in a collaborative manner for employees; counsels staff on work performance; manages sensitive and difficult personnel matters in a confidential and professional manner.  The team does not have fully staffing coverage for 24x7 support to agency hence staff assignments require careful thought.
3. Interprets and administers agency personnel policies, union contracts, rules, and regulations. Provides direction to staff ensuring adherence and consistent interpretation and application. If needed, resolves grievances at first step; researches and provides documentation for responses to grievances; advises grievance solutions to Managers and Directors; may appear at hearings and arbitration as required.
4. Interprets, advises, and makes recommendations on Parts procurement and inventory issues, including policies and procedures, while exercising professionalism.  Manages the implementation of company policies by developing and overseeing Departmental and Divisional procedures and performance standards for inventory control and warehouse management. Ensures quality contract performance by Contractors.
5. Manages parts operations to support vehicle maintenance in a 24-hour, 7 days a week facility.  Assures inventory management-maintenance software system is effectively maintained; has the expertise and knowledge to create custom reports for supported managers and executives. Develops and monitors usage trends and forecasts inventory levels. Evaluates product and service quality and pricing. Analyzes and adjusts inventories to ensure optimum performance. This includes inventory returns, reduction of waste, and to meet demand levels.
6. Compiles, research and analyzes available procurement information. Writes specifications and scopes of work.  Maintains confidentiality during the procurement process. Manages contracts including reviewing-evaluating bids and proposals, approve and recommending awards, evaluating vendor performance, and approving payments.  Coordinates and negotiates with vendor/suppliers/contractors to resolve issues with warranty and carcass cost recovery.  Monitor’s vendors and discusses contract performance requirements, feedback, and usage. Uses evaluations and forecasts to make effective changes and to determine preferred vendor list.  
7. Develops divisional annual budget; monitors expenditures to ensure budget is maintained.  Forecasts funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies to support implementation goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned projects, services, and functional area.
8. Manages day-to-day operations of the Parts Department, including purchasing, sourcing and actively seeks solutions to resolve of supply chain issues, issuing, receiving, warranty, payment approval, adjustments and distribution of parts and supplies. Ensures departmental compliance with agency, state and federal policies and procedures. Custodian for department P-card usage.  Strategically manages competing demands to meet critical material needs of the shop.  Manages, organizes, and maintains the corporate shipping and receiving functions.
9. Promotes and supports Small & Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (SBE/DBE) participation and development by educating vendors on the contracting process, how to conduct business with Community Transit, and upcoming contracting opportunities. Participates in various SBE/DBE workshops and events.  Conducts outreach and networking sessions to support agency SBE/DBE goals. Ensures suppliers are provided an exceptional experience, making Community Transit an agency of choice.
10. Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Ten years of increasingly responsible experience in inventory management / warehousing A bachelor’s degree in business / logistics related fields with emphasis in inventory management or warehousing management may be substituted for 3 years’ experience.
• Five years of general supervisory or management experience, OR three years supervisory and management experience directly supervising union employees.
• Must possess a valid WA state driver’s license at the time of hire.

OR an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

Preferred Qualifications

• Inventory Management APICS (CPIM), Public Procurement NIGP (CPPO/CPPB) or equivalent professional certification.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS OF KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Required Knowledge of:

• Supervision principles and practices.
• Inventory management principles and practices.
• Computerized inventory, control systems and basic software
• Knowledge of automotive, heavy-duty truck or bus mechanical operations and repair, including engine and
• Industrial supplies with an emphasis towards heavy duty vehicles including electrical supplies (AC and DC), hydraulic / air hose and fittings, fasteners, welding, body shop, HVAC and
• Procurement principles, practices, and contract administration.
• Labor relations, contract interpretation and application
• Budgetary principles.

Required Skill in:

• Leading staff assigning and monitoring work, conducting "hands on” / “on the job” training for Parts employees when necessary.
• Warehouse and inventory Managing parts operations.
• Effectively prioritizing tasks and managing multiple priorities.
• Problem solving and making effective business decisions.
• Project management.
• Preparing reports, budgets, correspondence, and inventory
• Demonstrated ability in interacting, communicating, negotiating, and building long term relationships, and accountability with internal staff, management, and outside vendors.
• Designing evaluation methods, reviewing, and evaluating programs to monitor effectiveness and devising methods for improvements or corrective action in procedures within an assigned area.
• Researching, sourcing, and evaluating parts and products for cost, quality, and availability.
• Operating a forklift safely.
• Operating a computer including email, MS Office suite, internet proficiency and an ability to operate in windows-based

Physical Requirements:

Climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, repetitive motions, carrying.

Heavy Work: Exerting up to 70 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Application and Selection Process:

• Only on-line applications accepted.  
• Applicants for this job may be considered for other openings up to six months after the date this position is filled.
• Applicants who meet the minimum requirements may be scheduled for an interview as well as a variety of tests to demonstrate knowledge, and skills for the position.  The evaluation process may include interviews, background check, reference checks and various performance tests. 

Employee Benefits:

Employees (and their families) are covered by medical, dental, vision, basic life and disability insurance. Employees participate in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) and have the option to enroll in the agency’s deferred compensation plan. In addition to WA Paid Sick Leave, employees in this position, accrue of 24 days of Paid Time off (192 hours) in their first year and nine (9) paid holidays throughout the calendar year. Full list of all benefits and details can be found here.

Effective January 1, 2022, all new employees must provide proof of fully vaccinated status on or before their first workday. People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine. 

If you have a family member, or share the same living quarters of a current Community Transit employee, please let your Human Resources Recruiter know as your eligibility for this position will be affected.

Community Transit provides a tobacco-free and drug-free work environment.  As a recipient of federal funds, Community Transit is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on an basis prohibited by Federal, State or Local law.  We value and encourage diversity in our workforce.  EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability.  Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, sex, protected veteran status or disability.