Senior Specialist DC Operations Inventory and Inbound - EM South

Is responsible and accountable for end-to-end inventory control, inbound operations governance, and B2B returns management within the South Africa Distribution Centre. It ensures inventory accuracy, system integrity, stock visibility, control compliance, and operational efficiency across all warehouse activities, acting as custodian of inventory accuracy and operational controls. The position aligns physical inventory, 3PL WMS, and SAP S/4HANA systems and drives inventory governance through controls, system integration monitoring, reconciliation, audits, compliance reporting, stakeholder alignment, and continuous improvement.

• Own and drive overall inventory accuracy across the Distribution Centre, maintaining physical-to-system accuracy above 99%, monitoring inventory movements, and ensuring all transactions are accurately and timeously reflected in the relevant systems.
• Monitor and validate all system interfaces and integrations between the 3PL WMS and SAP S/4HANA, perform formal system-to-system stock match checks at least twice per week, document reasons for mismatches, and coordinate with IT, Supply Chain Systems, 3PL
• And operational teams to correct and prevent failed transactions.
• Lead inventory reconciliation activities and variance investigations, provide documented root cause analysis, corrective actions, owners, and timelines, and drive action plans that correct recurring mismatches and improve end-to-end system accuracy.
• Own and maintain inventory control processes to ensure compliance with company policies, internal control requirements, audit standards, and operational SOPs
• Provide monthly reporting on control execution, exceptions, and closure status
• Lead monthly inventory control review sessions
• Hold the DC and operational stakeholders accountable for process misalignment, unresolved variances, and non-compliance
• And drive closure of identified control gaps, audit findings, and inventory-related process deviations within agreed timelines.
• Lead and coordinate all inventory-related audits, including preparation, evidence gathering, stakeholder alignment, and audit closure; maintain full audit readiness; and ensure timely implementation of corrective and preventative actions.
• Chair inventory review, discrepancy resolution, control review, and system alignment meetings
• Collaborate with Finance, Internal Controls, Customer Service, Planning, IT, 3PL, Inbound, Outbound, Returns, and Operations teams
• And escalate unresolved stock integrity risks with clear status, impact, root cause, and recovery actions.
• Produce and distribute daily, weekly, and monthly inventory performance reports covering accuracy, reconciliations, controls, variances, ageing, blocked stock, and audit status
• Analyse inventory trends, recurring issues, and operational risks
• And present insights, risks, and corrective actions to DC leadership and relevant stakeholders.
• Govern inbound operations by ensuring sufficient receiving capacity, collaborating with Inbound Customs, 3PL, and Operations on workload, labour planning, dock capacity, and resources, driving cost-effective operations
• Ensuring inbound stock is physically received and system processed within 24 hours, monitoring SLA performance, escalating risks before SLA failure, and implementing recovery plans.
• Manage inbound queries, discrepancies, and exceptions within 24 hours
• Maintain accurate records of issues, owners, root causes, and actions
• Conduct regular inbound floor walks
• Drive permanent corrective actions
• Perform integration checks to validate received stock in the 3PL WMS is correctly reflected in SAP S/4HANA
• And investigate and resolve interface failures impacting inbound stock visibility, availability, or downstream inventory accuracy.
• Own and manage the end-to-end B2B returns process from physical receipt through system update, reporting, query resolution, and stakeholder communication
• Ensure returns are received, processed, and system updated within 48 hours
• And monitor performance and escalate risks related to SLA achievement, stock visibility, or ageing returns.
• Maintain and update the B2B Returns Tracker
• Prepare and share returns reports
• Lead or facilitate cross-functional returns sessions
• Ensure returns-related queries are investigated and resolved within 48 hours or an agreed timeframe where dependency exists outside the DC
• Perform regular integration checks between 3PL systems and SAP S/4HANA
• And coordinate resolution activities across Warehouse Operations, Customer Service, Finance, IT, 3PL, and business stakeholders.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement across Inventory, Inbound, and Returns operations
• Identify and implement improvements that increase efficiency, reduce recurring defects, strengthen controls, improve productivity, and support cost management
• Review operational processes regularly
• And support operational projects and strategic DC initiatives.

• 5–7 years of relevant experience within Supply Chain, Logistics, Distribution Centre Operations, Inventory Management, Warehouse Operations, or a related operational environment.
• Proven experience in inventory control, stock reconciliation, cycle counts, variance investigation, root cause analysis, audit readiness, and operational control compliance.
• Experience working with 3PL warehouse operations and cross-functional stakeholders such as Finance, IT, Customer Service, Planning, Internal Controls, and Supply Chain Operations.
• A relevant tertiary qualification in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Operations Management, Inventory Management, Business Management, or a similar discipline.
• Motivated team player with a strong willingness to learn and continuously improve.
• High level of commitment, ownership, resilience, and motivation.
• Strong analytical capability with excellent attention to detail and the ability to identify trends, root causes, and corrective actions.
• Proven communication skills with the ability to engage internal and external stakeholders clearly and professionally.
• Experience in logistics, supply chain management, warehouse operations, inventory control, and project management.
• Financial acumen and solid understanding of budget principles, cost drivers, resource utilisation, and operational efficiency.
• Collaboration skills and ability to work across 3PL, Finance, IT, Customer Service, Planning, and Operations teams.
• Track record of proven problem-solving ability and ability to close issues through structured action management.
• High level of IT affinity, including MS Office and Teams.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to lead and influence discussions in diverse groups of varying size, internally and externally.

• SAP S/4HANA and WMS knowledge is highly advantageous.
• Preferred systems capability includes practical exposure to SAP S/4HANA, Warehouse Management Systems, inventory management platforms, integration monitoring tools, reporting dashboards, and advanced MS Excel for reconciliation, variance analysis, and operational reporting
• SAP S/4HANA, WMS, inventory management systems, and advanced MS Excel experience will be highly advantageous.

• South Africa Distribution Centre
• Supply Chain & Sourcing team

The company believes that embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion into its culture and talent processes gives employees a sense of belonging and the brand a real competitive advantage. Through sport, adidas believes it has the power to change lives.