Inventory Control & Assurance Manager - Fulfillment in Coventry

At World of Books, we’re on a mission to become the Planet’s Bookstore. Our business was founded in 2002 with the purpose of encouraging recycling, minimising waste, and fostering sustainability by giving books a second life. Since then, we’ve grown into the world’s largest seller of used books, providing millions of customers with an affordable way to discover, purchase and enjoy books sustainably.

Role Purpose

Reporting to the Fulfilment Centre Manager, you will be responsible for leading all inventory control activities including cycle counting, variance resolution, book grading standards and inventory assurance processes ensuring stock accuracy, low shrinkage and strong operational discipline. Our warehouses operate seven days per week with over 500 operatives across day and night shifts. As the Inventory Control & Assurance Manager you’ll lead and develop a team of Inventory Team Leader, Senior Inventory Assistants and Inventory Assistants ensuring they deliver high-quality investigations, timely reconciliations and consistent compliance with inventory procedures. You’ll also drive continuous improvement, data-driven analysis and cross-functional cooperation to strengthen accuracy, space optimisation and inbound books grading reliability. Working closely with Operations, Finance and Project teams, you’ll ensure strong inventory health, controlled space usage and a dependable flow of accurate stock, while contributing S&OP and supply‑chain planning insight and providing data‑driven guidance to senior leaders for business‑wide decision making.

Key Responsibilities

• Inventory Leadership & People Management: Lead and develop a team of Senior Inventory Assistants and Inventory Assistants ensuring effective performance, accountability and adherence to inventory processes while also identifying future business needs and developing the right systems and processes to support the long‑term operational roadmap. Oversee cycle counting programmes, variance investigations and reconciliation activities to uphold high standards of inventory accuracy. Maintain strong operational discipline across all inventory workflows, ensuring stock integrity and consistent execution of SOPs.
• Inventory Accuracy, Assurance & Shrink Control: Own the site’s end‑to‑end inventory assurance framework, ensuring industry‑level standards of accuracy and stock reliability while leading year‑end stock audits. Identify and resolve discrepancies, nil picks and misplaced inventory using root‑cause analysis and preventive countermeasures. Reduce shrinkage through structured audits, controls, compliance checks, and loss prevention practices.
• Space Management & Stock Flow Integrity: Ensure inventory storage space is efficiently governed, predictable and optimised for operational needs. Work with Operations and Projects teams to support slotting strategies, space planning and process improvements that maintain efficient site layout and capacity readiness.
• Quality & Grading of Books: Lead and refine the book grading process to ensure accurate, quality‑compliant products enter the inventory. Partner with Inbound teams to enhance grading reliability, minimise exceptions, and maintain consistent standards.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration & Change Delivery: Collaborate with Operations, Finance, Projects, Supply, and WMS/Tech teams to resolve issues impacting inventory flow and accuracy. Support transformation initiatives, WMS enhancements, and process changes to strengthen stock control and operational efficiency. Serve as the subject‑matter expert on inventory behaviour within the custom WMS environment. Produce clear, insightful reporting on inventory accuracy, grading trends, shrink drivers, nil‑pick performance and variance patterns including weekly and monthly presentations to stakeholders on space and inventory performance. Identify improvement opportunities, implement corrective actions, and lead structured root‑cause investigations to enhance site performance. Use data‑driven insights to support decision‑making, including data analysis, KPI development, and performance measurement, to ensure sustainable, preventative improvements.

Experience & Qualifications

• Significant experience in inventory control, stock management or fulfilment operations leadership, with strong financial and P&L acumen.
• Experience leading inventory teams within fast‑paced, semi‑automated fulfilment or logistics environments.
• Strong understanding of cycle counting, variance analysis, reconciliation and root cause methodology.
• Demonstrable ability to coach, inspire and develop operational teams.
• Data‑driven mindset with strong analytical, investigative and reporting skills, including proficiency with data analytics tools (e.g., Tableau).
• Experience with industry‑leading and bespoke inventory/warehouse systems and best‑practice processes.
• Proven capability in defining and delivering operational and development roadmaps.
• Effective cross‑functional communicator with the ability to influence and collaborate across operational, technical and financial functions.
• High resilience, calmness under pressure and adaptability within a fast‑paced operating environment.
• A Lean Six Sigma Green Belt qualification, relevant degree and advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook) would also be useful.

Company Overview

We have offices in the UK, US and Hungary, with over 1,000 employees dedicated to continuing to do good, protect the environment and support charities – as reflected in our certified B‑Corp status.