Inventory Control Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is a global leader in the production, distribution, and marketing of fresh, value-added, and shelf-stable fruits and vegetables under our Fresh and Foods divisions. Our diverse product portfolio proudly bears the Del Monte® brand and also includes prepared fruits and vegetables, juices, beverages, snacks, and desserts - available in over 80 countries worldwide. With operations spanning more than 35 countries, we’ve proudly been nourishing families for over 135 years.

Benefits We Offer Include:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Employer-paid life & disability insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 7 Company Paid Holidays
• 24/7 Telemedicine & Employee Assistance Program
• Optional voluntary benefits (legal, accident, identity protection)
• Eligibility on the first of the month following your hire date

Purpose of Position:

Del Monte Foods is the Foods Division of Fresh Del Monte, a global grower, producer and marketer of fresh, value-added, and shelf-stable produce. Del Monte Foods has a powerful portfolio of brands, including the iconic Del Monte®, Contadina® and S&W®. We are currently seeking a Inventory Control Manager.

The Inventory Control Manager is responsible for developing, implementing, and sustaining enterprise cycle count and inventory control procedures across a multi-site Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) network. This role owns cycle count governance, standards, training, and performance management for a portfolio of approximately 20-25 locations including ambient and cold storage distribution facilities, manufacturing plants, and co-manufacturing partner sites. The Manager drives inventory record accuracy, shrink reduction, root-cause elimination, and continuous improvement through data-driven controls, strong cross-functional partnership, and disciplined execution.

Accountabilities:

• Enterprise cycle count program owner for 20-25 sites (ambient DCs, refrigerated facilities, manufacturing plants, and co-manufacturers).
• Supports multiple inventory types and locations, including raw materials, packaging, WIP (as applicable), finished goods, ingredients, MRO/indirect, and hold/quarantine areas.
• Partners with Operations, Plant/Distribution Leadership, Quality, Finance/Cost Accounting, Supply Chain Planning, Procurement, Customer Service, and IT to ensure compliant inventory processes and accurate financial reporting.
• Works within ERP/WMS and inventory control tools (site-dependent) to standardize transactions, counting execution, and reporting.
• Leads a small team of inventory analysts and provides functional leadership to site inventory control resources.

• Design and govern the cycle count program: Define enterprise standards for count frequency, ABC/velocity segmentation, tolerances, triggers, recount rules, and adjustment approval workflows.
• Standardize inventory control procedures: Partner with Sites and Internal Audit to establish and maintain SOPs for receiving, put away, replenishment, picking, production/backflush (where applicable), returns, holds, rework, transfers, and inventory adjustments across ambient and temperature-controlled environments.
• Drive inventory record accuracy: Set targets, publish scorecards, and lead corrective actions to improve location accuracy, lot/date accuracy, and quantity accuracy.
• Plan and execute cycle counts: Develop count schedules and operational playbooks that minimize service disruption while ensuring counting discipline and completeness.
• Root-cause and corrective/preventive action: Lead investigations for variances, negative inventory, aging/obsolete stock, and shrink; partner with operations to implement sustainable fixes (process, training, system, layout, labeling, slotting).
• Financial and compliance controls: Ensure cycle counting and adjustments support SOX/internal control expectations, audit readiness, and accurate period-end reporting; coordinate and support internal/external audits.
• Co-manufacturer oversight: Define inventory reporting and cycle count expectations for co-manufacturing sites; review partner submissions, reconcile discrepancies, and drive adherence to agreed controls.
• System and data stewardship: Partner with IT to configure and maintain WMS/ERP count programs, reason codes, transaction controls, and reporting; validate master data (UOM, pack, lot attributes, shelf-life rules, location types).
• Training and capability building: Develop training materials and certify site resources on inventory transactions, scanning discipline, lot/date management, and count execution; coach leaders on inventory control best practices.
• KPI management: Monitor and report key metrics (e.g., accuracy, adjustment dollars, shrink, recount rate, count compliance, negative inventory, inventory aging, accuracy by SKU/location/zone) and lead monthly business reviews.
• Continuous improvement: Identify and implement process improvements using Lean/Six Sigma tools; lead pilots and scale successful practices across the network.
• Physical inventory readiness: Support annual/periodic physical inventories (if required), including planning, third-party coordination, reconciliation, and post-inventory lessons learned.
• Safety and quality: Ensure inventory control activities comply with safety policies, GMP/HACCP and food safety requirements, and product disposition rules (hold, quarantine, release).

Key Competencies

• Process design and standardization across diverse operations
• Data-driven problem solving and structured root-cause analysis
• Strong communication skills with the ability to simplify complex findings
• Influence and stakeholder management across operations, finance, quality, and IT
• High attention to detail and strong control mindset
• Project management, prioritization, and ability to drive execution to closure
• Continuous improvement orientation and change leadership

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Work is performed in office, warehouse, and manufacturing environments, including refrigerated storage areas.
• May require walking/standing for extended periods, climbing stairs, and working around powered industrial equipment.
• May require lifting up to 25 lbs. with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must be able to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) and comply with site safety and food safety policies.

Travel

• Ability to travel to distribution and manufacturing locations and selected co-manufacturer sites as needed to implement standards, conduct assessments, and support inventory events (typically 25%).
• This job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities and may be modified as business needs require.

Minimum Skills Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Industrial Engineering, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 7+ years of inventory control experience in CPG, food & beverage, manufacturing, warehousing/distribution, or similarly complex environments; including ownership of cycle count programs.
• Experience supporting multi-site operations (DCs and/or plants) with demonstrated ability to influence without direct authority.
• Strong working knowledge of inventory transactions and controls within WMS and ERP environments (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Manhattan, Blue Yonder, SAP EWM, etc.).
• Proven ability to analyze inventory variance data, quantify financial impact, and drive root-cause elimination.
• Demonstrated knowledge of lot/date control, traceability, and quality hold/release processes.
• Proficiency in Excel and reporting/BI tools; ability to build dashboards and communicate performance clearly to leadership.
• Ability to travel to sites as needed (typically 25¬¬%, depending on business needs).
• Experience in temperature-controlled logistics (refrigerated/frozen) and/or food manufacturing with GMP/HACCP requirements.
• Experience managing inventory control teams and leading change management across multiple sites.
• Lean/Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or higher) or equivalent continuous improvement experience.
• Experience with cycle counting optimization methods (ABC/XYZ, statistical sampling, tolerance design, segmentation by velocity/criticality).
• Experience with SOX/internal controls, audit support, and formal SOP documentation.

• Power BI/Tableau/SQL proficiency and experience automating inventory control reporting

***Please note: This position does not qualify for relocation expenses.***

Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is a global leader in the production, distribution, and marketing of fresh and fresh cut fruits and vegetables. Our diverse product portfolio also includes prepared fruits and vegetables, juices, beverages, snacks, and desserts—available in over 80 countries worldwide. With operations spanning more than 35 countries, we’ve proudly been nourishing families for over 135 years.

We are committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Fresh Del Monte and its affiliates do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We also participate in E-Verify* where applicable, to ensure employment authorization eligibility. Driven by our core values - Excellence, Care, Passion, Trust, and Creativity - we invite you to explore our career opportunities and join our FRESH team.