The Stock Integrity & Inventory Control Specialist ensures the accuracy, reliability, and governance of all stock-related data across WHSmith North America. This role manages the full cycle of inventory control, including count coordination, variance analysis, reconciliation, and insight publication. Acting as a bridge between Finance, Operations, and Profit Protection, the Specialist provides visibility into performance trends, identifies root causes of discrepancies, and drives compliance through proactive communication and data-led insights. The role safeguards inventory accuracy, enhances financial assurance, and strengthens operational integrity across all formats.
Key Responsibilities
Inventory Control & Governance
- Oversee and manage physical inventory execution and reconciliation processes, ensuring accuracy between POS, ERP, and financial systems.
- Maintain an end-to-end governance framework for stock integrity, shrink control, and variance reporting.
- Coordinate and execute physical inventory programs across all stores, tracking completion rates, timing, and compliance.
- Analyze and improve inventory variance trends by identifying process breakdowns and recommending corrective actions.
- Develop and maintain dashboards and variance reports highlighting trends, root causes, and key performance indicators.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner with Finance, Field Operations, and Profit Protection to validate inventory transactions, ensuring accuracy and alignment.Provide actionable insights to leadership through inventory audits, reconciliations, and exception reporting.Support audits and compliance reviews through organized documentation and financial transparency.Contribute to system or process improvement initiatives that enhance accuracy, timeliness, and reporting reliability.Operational Execution
Manage vendor relationships supporting physical inventory execution and variance reporting.Partner with Operations to implement stock control practices that reduce discrepancies and loss.Support corrective and preventative actions for variance root causes across store, warehouse, and corporate systems.Maintain an accurate and centralized repository for audit, compliance, and external reporting.Key Metrics
Stock Accuracy (%) : Variance between physical and system counts within defined tolerance.Inventory Compliance Rate (%) : Timely completion of cycle and annual counts.Shrink Root-Cause Resolution (Days) : Speed and accuracy of issue reconciliation.Data Integrity Rate (%) : Accuracy of recorded versus reported results.Audit Completion (%) : Timely resolution of financial or system-related discrepancies.Job Requirements
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business, Finance, or related field (MBA preferred).5+ years of experience in inventory control, finance, or operational analysis within a retail, distribution, or multi-format organization.Strong proficiency with Excel, Power BI, or equivalent data visualization tools.Familiarity with ERP systems and financial reporting structures.Experience conducting financial reconciliations and variance investigations.Strong communication and stakeholder management skills with attention to detail and process discipline.Skills & Competencies
Advanced analytical and reconciliation expertise.Physical inventory management and variance analysis.ERP and POS system proficiency.Cross-functional collaboration with Finance and Operations.Data visualization and reporting accuracy.Audit readiness and documentation management.Leadership Attributes
Analytical thinker with exceptional accuracy and attention to detail.Process-driven mindset with accountability for results.Strong collaborator who influences across functions through data clarity.Demonstrates urgency, curiosity, and continuous improvement.Upholds WHSmith's values of transparency, integrity, and operational excellence.