Inventory Manager

Who we are

In a life without sound, our work provides meaning. As a leading provider of innovative hearing care solutions, we are not just a company that makes products: we are a team on a mission to help people enjoy the delight of hearing. To enable a life without limitations, through our core business brands – Advanced Bionics, Audiological Care, Phonak, Sennheiser (under license) and Unitron – we develop, manufacture and distribute solutions that push the limits of technology and redefine the future of our industry.

Inventory Manager

You will lead inventory operations and performance across our local supply chain. This role combines hands-on inventory control with strategic planning, risk management, digital supply chain integration, and sustainability leadership. As a change agent and the interface between demand and supply planning, you will ensure inventory strategies support service levels, business responsiveness, global standards, and environmental goals.

More about the role:

Inventory Control & Optimization

• Manage finished goods inventory levels across local Distribution Centers (DCs), Replenishment Centers (RCs), Operational Centers (OCs), and Customer Locations (GCs).
• Align replenishment strategies with supply chain segmentation, customer/channel strategies, and product lifecycle considerations.
• Implement and maintain inventory entitlement and replenishment standards that balance service and cost objectives.
• Ensure inventory policies support customer SLAs, OTIF (On-Time-In-Full) performance, and local market responsiveness.
• Optimize inventory holdings to reduce waste, prevent overstock/stockouts, and support green logistics and local sustainability targets.
• Adhere to global standards for inventory management, ensuring all local practices align with corporate policies and best practices.

Planning, Risk Management & Execution

• Act as the interface between demand and supply planning, ensuring alignment of forecasts with execution capabilities, and translating demand signals into effective replenishment actions.
• Conduct detailed supply planning and execution across local sites to ensure accurate, timely replenishment of finished goods.
• Collaborate with demand planning teams for validation of demand plans and to accurately forecast material requirements based on market trends, historical data, and production schedules.
• Identify and mitigate supply risks through scenario planning, risk-buffering strategies (e.g., dual sourcing, alternate routings, safety stocks), and contingency measures.
• Report monthly inventory results, explain variances vs. forecast, and implement corrective actions to improve forecast accuracy and responsiveness.

Supplier & Stakeholder Coordination

• Communicate with local suppliers to align replenishment schedules, improve lead times, and enhance visibility into inventory positions.
• Work with regional materials managers and commercial stakeholders to align local inventory targets with broader financial and service goals.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g., planning, sales, operations, quality) to ensure inventory performance meets business and customer expectations.

Technology & Tools

• Leverage digital supply chain tools, including control towers, AI/ML-based forecasting platforms, and E2E (end-to-end) visibility solutions to enable data-driven decisions and proactive issue resolution.
• Maintain and continuously improve a local materials management dashboard to track performance metrics and provide decision support.
• Analyze inventory and planning data to identify root causes of inefficiencies and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Governance, Compliance & Sustainability

• Ensure full compliance with local and corporate inventory reporting standards, SOX regulations, and relevant quality and audit requirements.
• Drive process discipline and inventory policy adherence across all local supply chain operations.
• Champion initiatives that support sustainability, including inventory waste reduction, green logistics practices, and circular economy alignment.

Change Leadership & Continuous Improvement

• Act as a change agent for inventory excellence—driving adoption of best practices, enabling process innovation, and fostering a culture of accountability.
• Train and support local teams in using inventory tools, applying sustainability principles, and maintaining performance against key KPIs.
• Lead or contribute to cross-functional projects that enhance agility, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

More about you:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Business, or a related field (Master’s preferred)
• 5+ years of experience in local or regional inventory or supply chain management
• Demonstrated experience in inventory planning, supply/demand alignment, and risk mitigation
• Strong knowledge of digital supply chain tools, including forecasting platforms, E2E visibility, and advanced analytics
• Proficiency in ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, etc.) and BI tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau)
• Familiarity with ABC/XYZ segmentation, green logistics, and sustainable inventory practices
• APICS certification (CPIM, CSCP) or equivalent is a plus

More about what we offer:

As one of the world’s leading hearing care providers headquartered in Switzerland, we’re committed to building an inclusive culture. We want to create an environment where you can balance a successful career with your commitments and interests outside of work, through our flexible hybrid working model. We offer a wide range of training opportunities for both your professional and personal development, and there are exceptional growth opportunities with individual development plans.

Sonova is an equal opportunity employer.

We team up. We grow talent. We collaborate with people of diverse backgrounds to win with the best team in the marketplace. We guarantee every person equal treatment in regard to employment and opportunity for employment, regardless of a candidate's ethnic or national origin, religion, sexual orientation or marital status, gender, genetic identity, age, disability or any other legally protected status.