Inventory Specialist (Hybrid, Baton Rouge, LA)

Role Description

The Inventory Specialist is a hands-on member of the Inventory Management shared services team supporting inventory operations across multiple locations and business units. This role is responsible for executing and validating inventory transactions, investigating and resolving discrepancies, and ensuring inventory systems accurately reflect operational activity.

The Inventory Specialist works across multiple inventory and order management systems and partners closely with Warehouse, Manufacturing, Finance, Purchasing, and Distribution teams. This position serves as a key checks-and-balances function within daily operations, applying documented procedures to make standard inventory decisions and escalating non-routine scenarios as needed. The role is well-suited for someone who is detail-oriented, enjoys problem-solving, and wants to build strong inventory and operational expertise.

Inventory Management serves as the control point for inventory accuracy across the company, ensuring inventory movements, discrepancies, and adjustments are reviewed, documented, and resolved accurately. This function helps protect the company from inventory loss, financial exposure, and audit risk through consistent processes and cross-functional collaboration.

Key Responsibilities:

Inventory Transactions & System Accuracy

• Execute and validate daily inventory transactions to ensure accurate inventory records across systems.
• Maintain accurate inventory data across systems and identify discrepancies or missing transactions.
• Support inter-company inventory movements and inventory adjustments in accordance with established procedures.

Inbound Discrepancy Resolution

• Investigate receiving discrepancies such as shortages, overages, damages, or incorrect items.
• Apply standard procedures to determine appropriate resolutions and document actions taken.
• Escalate non-standard or unclear situations for review as needed.

Cycle Counts & Physical Inventory

• Support cycle counts and physical inventory activities across locations.
• Research variances and provide documentation to support reconciliations and audits.

3PL & Shipment Coordination

• Coordinate shipping notices and order information with third-party logistics (3PL) partners.
• Support accuracy of inbound, outbound, and inter-company shipments.

Special Inventory & Order Support

• Support special inventory requests and assist with order sourcing across locations.
• Ensure inventory requests are accurately documented and processed.

Collaboration & Reporting

• Maintain inventory records and documentation related to discrepancies, adjustments, and counts.
• Communicate effectively with internal teams and external partners regarding inventory issues.

Additional Responsibilities

• Support inventory clean-up efforts, system updates, and special projects as needed.
• Identify recurring inventory or system issues and escalate appropriately.
• Follow established procedures, safety guidelines, and documentation standards.

What You'll Have

• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow documented procedures.
• Ability to manage time effectively in a fast-paced, task-driven environment.
• Comfort making routine decisions using established processes and escalating when needed.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work collaboratively across teams.
• Ability to work independently while also contributing as part of a team.
• Problem-solving skills, including researching issues and documenting findings.
• Basic understanding of inventory processes such as cycle counts, reconciliation, and inventory flow.
• Intermediate computer skills and ability to learn and navigate multiple systems.

Education and/or Experience

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 1-3 years of experience in inventory, warehouse operations, manufacturing, supply chain, or related environments.
• Exposure to ERP, WMS, or inventory management systems (hands-on experience preferred but not required).
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel, for data entry and routine reporting.