Inventory Operations Manager

About Elavi

Elavi is a rapidly growing, venture-backed food CPG company focused on making indulgent snacks that still fit into a balanced lifestyle. Its products, such as high-protein brownies and dessert cashew butters, are available nationwide through more than 2,000 retail locations and channels including Whole Foods, Costco, Amazon, Thrive Market, and others. The company operates with speed, accountability, and a strong appreciation for sweet snacks.

Role Overview

This position is a key execution role in a business expanding quickly across retail, Amazon, and direct-to-consumer channels. The person in this role will be responsible for finished goods inventory from the point it leaves the co-manufacturer until it reaches customers, retailers, or distribution centers. This role connects supply and demand and works closely with supply chain, planning, sales, marketing, and finance teams to keep inventory aligned with business needs.

You will partner with the Director of Supply Chain, who manages upstream inputs such as ingredients, co-manufacturing, and production planning, and with the Demand Planner to help prevent stockouts, protect fill rates, and stay ahead of best-by-date risk. You will also coordinate with Sales and Marketing to make sure inventory is positioned for commercial activity. The role reports to the COO, and the expectation is full ownership of the function with a proactive, independent approach.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain visibility into finished goods inventory across all distribution points, including the 3PL, UNFI/KeHE warehouses, Amazon FBA, and retailer distribution centers.
• Track inventory in real time and identify low stock, stockout risk, and products nearing best-by dates before they create operational issues.
• Set and manage reorder points and min/max inventory thresholds by channel and location so replenishment stays on track.
• Work with the Director of Supply Chain so production timing matches current and expected inventory demand.
• Coordinate outbound shipments to retailer distribution centers, Amazon FBA facilities, UNFI, the 3PL, and DTC fulfillment partners.
• Follow inbound and outbound movement end-to-end, resolve shipping issues, and escalate discrepancies without delay.
• Oversee freight and carrier coordination for finished goods, with a focus on on-time and in-full performance across channels.
• Reconcile inventory across systems such as Cin7, Amazon Seller Central, and SPS Commerce/EDI to keep records accurate and current.
• Own Amazon FBA inventory operations, including send-in planning, replenishment cadence, stranded inventory resolution, and storage limit management.
• Monitor IPI score, aged inventory, and sell-through performance to reduce long-term storage costs and improve in-stock rates.
• Coordinate with the Head of Growth to prepare inventory for promotions, Prime Day, and seasonal demand spikes.
• Manage EDI orders and wholesale fulfillment through SPS Commerce while maintaining accuracy and timely shipment.
• Handle UNFI deductions and chargebacks by identifying root causes, preparing dispute support, and tracking issues through resolution.
• Ensure retailer routing and labeling rules are followed to reduce penalties and deductions.
• Partner with Sales and Marketing to anticipate inventory requirements tied to resets, promotions, and new door launches.
• Escalate inventory risks early to leadership so the team can act ahead of problems rather than react afterward.
• Support Finance with inventory valuation inputs, COGS-related data, and working capital visibility when needed.

What Success Looks Like

• You notice irregularities quickly and investigate anything that appears incorrect.
• You keep inventory records clean, reliable, and updated across every system.
• You anticipate issues before alerts or shortages occur and take action early.
• You communicate risks clearly and provide solutions without waiting to be prompted.
• You build practical systems, trackers, and workflows that reduce firefighting and improve control.
• You are comfortable operating in a fast-moving startup environment with shifting priorities and no fixed playbook.

Qualifications

• 3 to 5 years of experience in inventory, fulfillment, or operations within a CPG startup environment.
• Practical experience managing Amazon FBA inventory, including replenishment planning, send-ins, and IPI management.
• Direct exposure to UNFI processes, including order handling, deduction resolution, and wholesale compliance.
• Working knowledge of EDI and SPS Commerce for wholesale order management.
• Experience with inventory management software; Cin7 is a strong advantage but not mandatory.
• Ability to collaborate across Supply Chain, Finance, Sales, and Marketing and turn inventory data into business decisions.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to raise urgent issues clearly and concisely.

Preferred Background

• Experience handling inventory for a multi-channel brand operating DTC, retail, and Amazon at the same time.
• Experience in a brand that expanded significantly while you were there.
• Familiarity with Shopify, Thrive Market, or Life Time Fitness fulfillment requirements.
• Comfort creating trackers, dashboards, and SOPs in Notion, Google Sheets, or similar tools.

Compensation and Benefits

• Annual salary range of $75,000 to $90,000, depending on experience.
• Medical coverage and dental coverage.
• Major holidays off and unlimited paid time off.
• Equity opportunity in a venture-backed, high-growth company.
• Close collaboration with the founding team and visibility into national-scale growth.
• A fast-paced, high-standard culture focused on winning.

Application Instructions

To apply, complete the screening questionnaire provided by the employer. Do not contact team members directly by email or private message, as those applications will not be considered. The company uses a fair hiring process and asks candidates to apply through the stated questionnaire only.