Job Description

The Stock Integrity & Inventory Control Specialist ensures the accuracy, reliability, and governance of all stock-related data across WHSmith North America. This role manages the full cycle of inventory control, including count coordination, variance analysis, reconciliation, and insight publication. Acting as a bridge between Finance, Operations, and Profit Protection, the Specialist provides visibility into performance trends, identifies root causes of discrepancies, and drives compliance through proactive communication and data-led insights. The role safeguards inventory accuracy, enhances financial assurance, and strengthens operational integrity across all formats.

Key Responsibilities

Inventory Control & Governance

• Oversee and manage physical inventory execution and reconciliation processes, ensuring accuracy between POS, ERP, and financial systems.
• Maintain an end-to-end governance framework for stock integrity, shrink control, and variance reporting.
• Coordinate and execute physical inventory programs across all stores, tracking completion rates, timing, and compliance.
• Analyze and improve inventory variance trends by identifying process breakdowns and recommending corrective actions.
• Develop and maintain dashboards and variance reports highlighting trends, root causes, and key performance indicators.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Finance, Field Operations, and Profit Protection to validate inventory transactions, ensuring accuracy and alignment.
• Provide actionable insights to leadership through inventory audits, reconciliations, and exception reporting.
• Support audits and compliance reviews through organized documentation and financial transparency.
• Contribute to system or process improvement initiatives that enhance accuracy, timeliness, and reporting reliability.

Operational Execution

• Manage vendor relationships supporting physical inventory execution and variance reporting.
• Partner with Operations to implement stock control practices that reduce discrepancies and loss.
• Support corrective and preventative actions for variance root causes across store, warehouse, and corporate systems.
• Maintain an accurate and centralized repository for audit, compliance, and external reporting.

Key Metrics

• Stock Accuracy (%): Variance between physical and system counts within defined tolerance.
• Inventory Compliance Rate (%): Timely completion of cycle and annual counts.
• Shrink Root-Cause Resolution (Days): Speed and accuracy of issue reconciliation.
• Data Integrity Rate (%): Accuracy of recorded versus reported results.
• Audit Completion (%): Timely resolution of financial or system-related discrepancies.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, Finance, or related field (MBA preferred).
• 5+ years of experience in inventory control, finance, or operational analysis within a retail, distribution, or multi-format organization.
• Strong proficiency with Excel, Power BI, or equivalent data visualization tools.
• Familiarity with ERP systems and financial reporting structures.
• Experience conducting financial reconciliations and variance investigations.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills with attention to detail and process discipline.

Skills & Competencies

• Advanced analytical and reconciliation expertise.
• Physical inventory management and variance analysis.
• ERP and POS system proficiency.
• Cross-functional collaboration with Finance and Operations.
• Data visualization and reporting accuracy.
• Audit readiness and documentation management.

Leadership Attributes

• Analytical thinker with exceptional accuracy and attention to detail.
• Process-driven mindset with accountability for results.
• Strong collaborator who influences across functions through data clarity.
• Demonstrates urgency, curiosity, and continuous improvement.
• Upholds WHSmith’s values of transparency, integrity, and operational excellence.

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