INVENTORY CONTROL SPECIALIST

Inventory Specialist

The Inventory Specialist is responsible for maintaining accurate inventory records, ensuring proper stock levels of raw materials, packaging, and finished goods, and supporting production and distribution operations. This role plays a critical part in minimizing waste, ensuring food safety compliance, and maintaining supply chain efficiency in a fast-paced consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturing environment.

This position is critical for maintaining production efficiency, reducing product loss, and ensuring compliance in a highly regulated food manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Inventory Management

• Maintain accurate, real-time inventory records in ERP/WMS systems
• Monitor raw materials, WIP (work-in-process), and finished goods inventory levels
• Conduct daily, weekly, and periodic cycle counts
• Investigate and resolve inventory discrepancies and variances
• Track lot codes, expiration dates, and FIFO/FEFO compliance

Production & Supply Coordination

• Coordinate material availability with production schedules
• Issue and stage materials to support manufacturing lines
• Ensure timely replenishment of production floor inventory
• Communicate shortages or risks to production and procurement teams

Receiving & Shipping Support

• Verify incoming materials against purchase orders and specifications
• Ensure proper storage conditions (temperature, sanitation, segregation)
• Support outbound shipments and ensure inventory accuracy prior to dispatch
• Maintain traceability of all goods for recall readiness

Compliance & Quality

• Adhere to food safety standards (e.g., GMP, HACCP, SQF, FDA regulations)
• Ensure proper documentation and audit readiness
• Maintain accurate tracking and traceability records
• Support internal and external audits

Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Generate inventory reports (shrinkage, turns, accuracy)
• Analyze trends and identify opportunities to improve inventory control
• Support process improvements and lean initiatives
• Collaborate cross-functionally (production, quality, procurement, logistics)

Qualifications & Education:

• Associate or bachelor's degree in supply chain, Logistics, Business, or related field (preferred)
• Minimum 3 years' experience with inventory control experience in CPG, food manufacturing, or regulated environment
• Experience with ERP/WMS systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, etc.)
• Strong understanding of inventory accuracy, cycle counting, and reconciliation
• Knowledge of FIFO/FEFO, lot tracking, and expiration management
• Familiarity with food safety and regulatory requirements; strong knowledge in waste/spoilage reduction
• Proficient analytical and problem-solving skills
• Detail-oriented with high level of accuracy
• Proficient in Excel and inventory reporting tools
• Experience in temperature-controlled or perishable goods environment
• Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma exposure
• Forklift certification (if applicable)

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• Office environment usually quiet
• Occasionally required to maneuver plant and warehouse workspaces which involve:
• Frequently standing, walking, sitting, talking, or hearing, working around loud machinery and moving parts,
• Continually utilize hand and finger dexterity, exposed to extreme heat, extreme cold, wet and/or humid conditions (non-weather)
• Occasionally required to climb, balance, bend, stoop, exposed to outside weather conditions, push, pull, and lift to 50 pounds safely; and working in refrigerated areas
• May require flexible hours, including weekends or shifts

The above is intended to describe the general requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.