Inventory Specialist

The Inventory Specialist is responsible for ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and efficient management of inventory across all warehouse operations within a food manufacturing environment. This role oversees critical inventory-related activities, including cycle counting, inventory reconciliation, lot traceability, stock transfers, and the proper return and storage of packaging materials, raw materials, work‑in‑process, and finished goods. The Inventory Specialist ensures compliance with First‑Expired, First‑Out (FEFO) practices, supports food safety and quality standards, and partners with cross‑functional teams to maintain accurate inventory records, optimize warehouse operations, and ensure uninterrupted production and customer fulfillment. Employee Type: Full time | Location: ND Grand Forks | Job Type: Supply Chain Inventory Management | Job Posting Title: Inventory Specialist | Schedule: 1st shift, Monday‑Friday, with flexibility as needed | Work Location: 1801 N 36th St, Grand Forks, ND Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) with match, STD/LTD/AD&D/Life, HSA, FSA, EAP, Hospital indemnity, Accident Insurance, Identity and Fraud Protection Plan, Legal, and Critical Illness. Salary: $21.16 to $28.37 an hour with additional bonus potential. Roles & Responsibilities Perform cycle counts on finished goods items in compliance with SOX requirements. Execute a cycle count program that verifies every inventory bin and item a minimum of two times each year. Investigate discrepancies and work with the plant controller to resolve them. Make inventory adjustments as needed (daily, weekly, and month‑end). Adhere to plant safety, food safety, quality, and regulatory programs, including SQF, FSMA, HACCP, GMP, Food Defense, and Food Fraud. Maintain accurate inventory records through cycle counting, inventory reconciliation, physical counts, and inventory transactions in SAP. Verify receiving, shipping, and production documentation to ensure inventory accuracy and support daily inventory reporting. Monitor inventory levels, communicate replenishment needs, and support month‑end and year‑end inventory processes. Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned to support operational priorities. Skills & Qualifications Proficient in the use of computers and business‑related software, including JDE, Trace Gains, SAP, Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Good understanding of quality control processes and manufacturing processes related to the food or beverage industry. Strong customer service, relationship‑building, problem‑solving, and follow‑up skills with the ability to multitask. Experience leading small projects and basic project‑management skills. Results‑driven with high personal ownership. Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills. Experience performing frequent forklift operations to support inventory management, material movement, and warehouse activities. Physical Demands Employees must stand and walk for extended periods, climb, pull, push, carry, grasp, reach, twist, turn, and stoop. They must lift up to 50 lbs frequently, possess good hand‑eye coordination, motor skills, and 20/20 corrected vision, and be able to distinguish colors for color‑coded containers. Employees must wear all required PPE and adhere to safety policies, including lock‑out/tag‑out and safe lifting techniques. Exposure to wet, humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, high areas, fumes, airborne particles, extreme temperatures, electrical risks, and vibrations is possible depending on the area assigned. Employees must maintain a clean and safe work environment and report any food safety or quality issues immediately to management. EEO Statement Winland Foods seeks to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool, and as a global company we believe our success is enhanced by fostering equity and inclusion in the workplace. Therefore, Winland Foods is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military or veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. #J-18808-Ljbffr