Head of Inventory Finance & Purchasing at Creative Chaos …

Job Summary:As the Head of Inventory Finance Purchasing at Creative Chaos, you will oversee the financial planning and purchasing strategies that relate to inventory management. This includes ensuring the alignment of inventory levels with company objectives, optimizing procurement processes, and analyzing financial data related to inventory expenses to drive cost efficiencies. Your expertise in finance, combined with strong negotiation skills, will play a key role in maintaining an effective supply chain while maximizing profitability.Duties Responsibilities:Core ResponsibilitiesEnd-to-End Purchasing ManagementOwn all purchasing activities across multiple product categories: nicotine products, non-nicotine products, accessories, apparel, POS materials, marketing collateral, and future product linesSource, evaluate, and manage multiple global vendors; negotiate pricing, terms, MOQs, and lead timesCreate and manage all POs, track confirmations, and follow up on delays, discrepancies, and quality issuesVendor, Manufacturing Logistics CoordinationCoordinate with international vendors, manufacturers, freight forwarders, and warehouse partnersTrack production timelines, shipping schedules, customs clearance, and delivery milestonesEscalate any risks to supply continuity and propose mitigation plans proactivelyInventory Planning Forecast AlignmentPartner closely with FPA to translate SKU-level revenue forecasts into purchase plans and replenishment schedulesBuild and maintain inventory models to prevent stockouts and avoid overstockMonitor inbound inventory, open POs, transit times, and safety stock levelsInventory Monitoring, Controls ReportingActively monitor inventory levels across all warehouses and 3PLs; identify hot spots, aging stock, and at-risk itemsProduce weekly and monthly inventory reports for management with actionable insightsFlag and escalate issues involving shrinkage, discrepancies, expiry, or inaccurate receivingInventory Lifecycle Accounting OwnershipOversee the full lifecycle: receiving, costing, landed cost allocation, valuation, reconciliations, and adjustmentsEnsure accurate month-end close in QBO and all Shopify-integrated systemsMaintain alignment between warehouse systems, ERP tools, Shopify, and financeSystems Implementation OptimizationLead the setup, configuration, and continuous improvement of inventory management platforms (ERP/WMS)Ensure proper workflows, controls, item master data standards, and clean data migrationDevelop SOPs for purchasing, receiving, cycle counting, and inventory adjustmentsCycle Counts, Physical Counts Variance ResolutionOwn cycle count schedules with warehouse partners and lead full physical countsInvestigate and resolve discrepancies, working hands-on to identify root causes (system, vendor, warehouse, or process)Implement stronger internal controls to reduce shrinkage, errors, and operational wasteFinancial Reporting, Analysis CompliancePrepare and analyze all inventory-related financial reports including:AgingWrite-offs / obsolescenceMargin analysisLanded cost reportsAudit schedulesEnsure clean, accurate, and reconcilable data flow between all systems (WMS, ERP, Shopify, QBO)Support internal and external audits related to inventory and COGSCross-Functional LeadershipWork closely with Sales, Marketing, FPA, Product, Manufacturing, and Operations to stay ahead of demand trends and product launchesOperate as the company’s subject-matter expert on inventory finance and purchasing strategyRequirementsBachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field; a master’s degree is preferredMinimum of 10 years of experience in finance or purchasing, with at least 5 years in a leadership roleStrong knowledge of inventory management principles and best practicesProven experience in financial analysis, budgeting, and forecastingExcellent negotiation and contract management skillsProficient in financial modeling and inventory management softwareStrong analytical and problem-solving abilitiesExceptional communication and interpersonal skillsExperience in a technology or creative industry is a plusBenefitsPaid Time OffHealth InsuranceOPDTraining and Development Job Summary: Duties Responsibilities: Core Responsibilities End-to-End Purchasing Management