What are the responsibilities and job description for the Inventory Lead position at Flame & Flora?
About Flame & Flora
Flame & Flora is Minnesota’s first sovereign, deli-style cannabis retail experience. We pair hospitality with education so guests can see, smell, and learn before they buy. Our team creates a welcoming, informed, and compliant environment where every visit feels personal and supportive.
About This Role
Think of yourself as part strategic analyst, part operations coordinator, part compliance expert, and part team leader. You'll work closely with the Store Manager to oversee all aspects of inventory management, from determining optimal stock levels to ensuring accurate tracking and compliance with all regulations.
This isn't just about counting products—you'll be optimizing our investment, ensuring product availability, reducing waste, and building the systems that make everything else possible. Your expertise will directly impact customer satisfaction, operational efficiency, and our bottom line.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Inventory Planning & Analysis:
- Consult with Store Management to provide detailed reports on product selection that drive smart purchasing decisions
- Partner with the Store Manager to develop and implement inventory control procedures for both front and back of store operations
- Monitor and analyze stock levels, determining optimal stocking quantities that balance customer demand with efficient investment
- Work to reduce excess and inactive product through strategic planning and data-driven decisions
- Coordinate with Store Management Team to ensure products are priced appropriately for both profitability and market competitiveness
Vendor Relations & Order Management:
- Work with Store Manager to expedite orders, track deliveries, and resolve shipping errors with the attention to detail this industry requires
- Maintain accurate records following established guidelines and ensure all documentation meets compliance standards
- Monitor the entering and reconciling of product invoices into our POS system with precision
- Coordinate payment of orders with finance team within established procedures
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with vendors to ensure reliable supply chains
Compliance & Quality Control:
- Coordinate with Store Management on the Employee Sampling Program, including intake of samples, documentation of distribution, and accurate recording in inventory systems to ensure compliance with applicable regulations
- Monitor compliance with Standard Operating Procedures for Inventory Control throughout the store
- Report any discrepancies to Store Manager immediately and help implement corrective actions
- Ensure all inventory processes meet tribal regulations
- Maintain the documentation and accuracy that regulatory compliance demands
Team Leadership & Operations:
- Supervise Inventory Clerk(s) with clear direction and support
- Assist with daily, weekly, and monthly inventory counts, ensuring accuracy and efficiency
- Audit inventory counts and products as scheduled and as needed
- Lead your team in maintaining organized, efficient inventory systems that support smooth operations
- Assist with administrative, reconciliation, and customer service duties as needed to support overall business success
What We're Looking For
The Must-Haves (Minimum Qualifications):
- At least 21 years old
- High school diploma or GED
- 2 years of inventory management experience where you've actually optimized systems and improved efficiency
- Ability to work nights, weekends, and holidays
- Ability to pass pre-employment background check (this is a sensitive position)
The Game-Changers (Preferred Qualifications):
- 1 year of buying or procurement experience that shows you understand the full supply chain
- Microsoft Office Suite proficiency with intermediate Excel and Outlook skills
- Experience in regulated industries where compliance and accuracy are non-negotiable
- Track record of leading teams and improving inventory processes
The Essential Skills:
- Deep knowledge of inventory management principles, systems, and best practices
- Understanding of applicable regulations and ability to learn tribal ordinances quickly
- Knowledge of purchasing practices and procedures that optimize both cost and availability
- Mathematical skills for analyzing data, computing ratios, and interpreting inventory reports
- Problem-solving abilities to identify issues, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
- Independent judgment and decision-making skills for managing complex inventory challenges
- Excellent business communication skills for working with vendors, management, and team members
- Leadership abilities to guide and develop your inventory team
- Comfort working with inventory management software and POS systems
- Data analysis skills to identify trends, optimize stock levels, and improve efficiency
- Attention to detail that ensures accuracy in all inventory tracking and compliance documentation
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to handle the physical demands of retail—sitting, standing, lifting up to 50 pounds, and staying energized during busy shifts
- Comfort working in a retail environment with varying noise levels
Ready to Build Minnesota's Premier Cannabis Experience?
If this sounds like the perfect opportunity to use your organizational skills in a growing, exciting industry, we want to hear from you. Show us your attention to detail, your organizational approach, your understanding of why behind-the-scenes work matters. Whether it's inventory experience that demonstrates your skills or cannabis passion that shows your genuine interest—we want to see what makes you excited about being an essential part of great cannabis retail.