Director of Inventory & Warehouse Management

About us

National Grid is hiring a Director of Inventory and Warehouse Management for our Operations Support team in Waltham, MA.

Every day we deliver safe and secure energy to homes, communities, and businesses. We are there when people need us the most. We connect people to the energy they need for the lives they live.

The pace of change in society and our industry is accelerating and our expertise and track record put us in an unparalleled position to shape the sustainable future of our industry. To be successful we must anticipate the needs of our customers, reducing the cost of energy delivery today and pioneering the flexible energy systems of tomorrow. This requires us to deliver on our promises and always look for new opportunities to grow, both ourselves and our business.

Job Purpose

The Director will lead all Warehouse Operations in a union environment, overseeing Investment Recovery, Inventory Management, and a Process Team. The Inventory and Warehouse Management team supports the Electric and Gas business at National Grid by ensuring the availability of materials necessary to build and maintain infrastructure. Success in this role requires delivering the right materials at the right time, optimizing costs, and fostering a culture of empowerment, continuous improvement, and clear strategic direction.

Key Accountabilities

• Oversee the overall operation and strategic direction of Inventory Management (material planning and ordering), operations at the New England Distribution Center (NEDC), storerooms at 44 crew locations, and logistics of material movement.
• Drive innovation in supply chain strategy by leveraging cutting-edge forecasting techniques, automation, and cross-functional collaboration to enhance agility, scalability, and resilience in a dynamic market environment.
• Serve as the primary leadership contact for all material-related matters for Electric and Gas operations, collaborating with Asset Management, Procurement, Accounts Payable, Customer teams, and other key stakeholders.
• Strategically manage inventory levels to minimize excess and obsolete stock while ensuring product availability, preventing stockouts, and mitigating supply chain disruptions through proactive planning and risk management.
• Continuously assess and refine warehouse structures to align with business objectives, drive efficiency, and support scalability and growth.
• Direct Investment Recovery Operations to ensure efficient processing of materials designated for reclamation, maximizing revenue and sourcing alternative consumer markets.
• Lead the Massachusetts Inventory and Warehouse Management team in all storm response and support activities.
• Manage key relationships with union leadership and National Grid Labor Relations, ensuring effective collaboration and workforce management.
• Foster a proactive safety culture by promoting accountability and adherence to all safety-related objectives.
• Leverage data analytics to enhance business decision-making, employee engagement, quality, efficiency, and overall performance.
• Maintain accountability for cost control in store operations.
• Oversee hiring, training, and professional development efforts, creating an inclusive, equitable, and supportive work environment.
• Drive continuous process improvements within the supply chain through collaboration with Process Teams and the integration of technology, digital solutions, and data-driven insights.

Additional Competencies

• Provide leadership across multiple locations, supporting a multi-tiered team.
• Establish annual performance goals aligned with organizational objectives.
• Coach, mentor, and develop direct and indirect reports through formal and informal feedback, training, and career development opportunities.
• Develop and implement strategic and tactical plans for Warehouse Operations, Inventory Management, and Investment Recovery.
• Utilize strong analytical and problem-solving skills to optimize operational effectiveness.
• Demonstrate excellent communication, organizational, and project management abilities.
• Apply expertise in warehouse operations and supply chain principles to enhance business outcomes.
• Experience with SAP and/or other materials management systems is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 10 years of leadership experience in warehouse operations and/or supply chain management.
• At least 5 years of experience managing teams across multiple locations.
• The ability to develop and implement data-driven demand forecasting models to accurately predict future inventory needs, leveraging historical data, market trends, and business insights to optimize supply ch