Inventory Controller

Job Description

Job Description

Job Summary

The Inventory Controller, under the supervision of the Inventory Controller Lead, carries out the hands-on execution of inventory control activities for packaging materials, ingredients, and finished products. This role performs receiving inspections and pallet tagging for incoming shipments, ensures finished goods are palletized, labeled, and counted to specification, verifies production numbers against make sheets and enters them into the inventory control software, and executes weekly and monthly cycle counts. The Inventory Controller also coordinates with Quality Assurance on product holds, monitors aging and slow-moving stock, supports reporting by preparing underlying data, and tracks the recoup, rework, and disposal of raw materials and products, escalating exceptions to the Inventory Controller Lead as needed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Operational Inventory Control

• Ensure finished goods are palletized according to specifications, properly labeled, and accurately counted.
• Coordinate with Quality Assurance (QA) to place holds on products that do not meet specifications.
• Reconcile actual material usage against the bill of materials after each production run and flag variances.
• In the absence of the Inventory Control Lead (ICL), prepare and maintain the shipping list.

Finished Products / Outbound Inventory Control

• Review and verify production numbers from make sheets and enter final numbers. 
• Execute weekly and monthly cycle counts for finished goods and raw materials.

Cycle Counts & Data Integrity

• Conduct scheduled cycle counts and escalate discrepancies exceeding established thresholds to the Inventory Control Lead.
• Investigate and correct minor system-versus-physical discrepancies at the transaction level.
• Periodically audit lot and traceability records to identify and close gaps ahead of audits or recalls.

Aging & Slow-Moving Stock

• Conduct a weekly walk of the warehouse to identify aging, damaged, or slow-moving inventory.
• Maintain physical tagging and segregation of hold, reject, or rework product with collaboration of warehouse. 

Reporting Support

• Compile raw data on usage, waste, and on-hand counts into standard templates to support the Inventory Controller Lead's reporting (e.g., shortage, milk, and donation/excess reports).

• Identify and document donated products, lot codes, and quantities, and prepare items for the designated team member to complete the donation drop-off.

Other Responsibilities

• In the absence of the Inventory Controller Lead, assume their tasks and responsibilities.
• Track and document the recoup, rework, and disposal of raw materials and products.
• Provide floor-level inventory support to Production and Warehouse teams during peak periods, inventory events, or special projects.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications /Requirements 

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred
• Previous experience in a dairy or food plant setting preferred
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in a similar role
• Bilingual skills in English and Spanish preferred to support communication with a diverse workforce
• Knowledge of data analysis, inventory management software, and forecasting techniques
• Strong teamwork, organizational, and attention-to-detail skills
• Effective communication and interpersonal abilities
• Ability to work assigned shifts, including occasional overtime, weekends, or holidays as required by business needs.
• Ability to perform basic arithmetic and numeric calculations
• Commitment to following all company safety rules and guidelines
• Adherence to all applicable GMPs (Good Manufacturing Practices), personal hygiene standards, and procedures as outlined in the Bellwether Farms Employee Handbook

Physical and Mental Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

• Stand or walk for extended periods, including during cycle counts and warehouse audits
• Use hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, scanner, and inventory management equipment
• Reach with hands and arms to retrieve or stock inventory items on shelving at various heights
• Bend, stoop, kneel, or crouch when accessing lower-level storage areas
• Communicate clearly (talk, hear) with team members, vendors, and carriers
• Read and interpret inventory reports, pick tickets, and shipping documents
• Occasionally lift, carry, or move cartons and inventory items weighing up to 50 pounds
• Intermittently lift or handle boxes up to 10 pounds during quality checks or bin replenishment
• Push, pull, or maneuver a loaded pallet jack or hand truck (up to 1,580 pounds under power)
• Maintain attention to detail in a busy, sometimes noisy warehouse environment
• Close vision (reading computer screens and small print)
• Distance vision (identifying stock locations across aisles)
• Peripheral vision, depth perception, and focus adjustment

Work Environment:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to hot and cold conditions; and moving equipment such as conveyors, pallet jacks and forklifts. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes from propane forklift at Warehouse #3 when in operation, and/or airborne particles that may be naturally present in the warehouses. 

This position will be working intermittently in a refrigerated environment. The noise level in the work environment is moderate.

Compensation and Benefits 

Bellwether Farms is committed to pay equity and transparency in alignment with California law. The anticipated hourly pay range for this position is $28.00 – $34.00 . This range is provided as a general guideline. Final compensation will be determined based on factors such as relevant experience, education, skills, internal equity, and market conditions.

We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package, which may include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance (eligibility begins after 30 days of employment)
• 401(k) retirement plan with a generous company match
• Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Access to company products and employee discounts

Bellwether Farms is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties as necessary.