INVENTORY CONTROL SPECIALIST

About the Role

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.

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)

Requirements

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business, or related field (preferred)
• Minimum 3 years’ experience with inventory control 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)

Work Environment

• Primarily office environment, usually quiet
• Occasionally required to maneuver plant and warehouse workspaces involving:
  • Frequently standing, walking, sitting, talking, or hearing
  • Working around loud machinery and moving parts
  • Continually utilizing hand and finger dexterity
  • Exposure to extreme heat, extreme cold, wet and/or humid conditions (non-weather)
  • Occasionally required to climb, balance, bend, stoop
  • Exposure to outside weather conditions
  • Pushing, pulling, and lifting up to 50 pounds safely
  • Working in refrigerated areas
• May require flexible hours, including weekends or shifts