Inventory Control Specialist bei American Pasteurization Company

Description

Under the direction of the Plant Manager, the Inventory Control Specialist (Inventory Lead) will work closely with Shipping & Receiving, Maintenance, and other APC personnel to ensure the proper flow of inventory and materials throughout the facility. This role is responsible for maintaining accurate inventory records, preventing shortages or surpluses, and supporting production and operational needs. The Inventory Lead will serve as the primary point of contact for inventory-related issues, providing oversight, reporting, and recommendations to maintain efficiency and accuracy.

Key Responsibilities:

Inventory Management & Control

• Monitor, track, and reconcile all inventory transactions to maintain accuracy within ERP/WMS systems.
• Conduct regular cycle counts, audits, and reconciliation of variances between physical counts and system records.
• Ensure proper rotation of stock (FIFO/FEFO) and maintain accurate lot/serial tracking.
• Develop and maintain reorder points and safety stock levels to prevent stock outs and overstock conditions.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Shipping & Receiving to ensure timely movement of materials in and out of the facility.
• Coordinate with Maintenance to ensure availability of spare parts and consumables for equipment uptime.
• Partner with production teams to forecast material needs and adjust inventory levels accordingly.
• Communicate inventory status, discrepancies, and process changes to the Plant Manager and other stakeholders.

Process Improvement & Reporting

• Analyze inventory usage trends and recommend adjustments to purchasing or stocking strategies.
• Develop reports to track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as accuracy rates, shrinkage, and turnover.
• Identify and implement process improvements to reduce waste, improve accuracy, and increase efficiency.
• Support internal and external audits with accurate and timely documentation.

Compliance & Safety

• Ensure all materials are stored and handled according to company, industry, and regulatory standards.
• Follow and enforce safety guidelines in the warehouse and plant environment.
• Maintain accurate labeling, documentation, and records to support compliance requirements. 

Requirements

 Core Competencies

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in data entry and recordkeeping.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills; ability to prioritize tasks.
• Effective communication skills (both verbal and written).
• Problem-solving mindset with ability to investigate and resolve discrepancies quickly.
• Team player with the ability to work independently under minimal supervision.

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of inventory management practices (cycle counting, stock rotation, reconciliation).
• Experience with ERP/WMS systems (e.g., Sage, SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, Manhattan, Fishbowl).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and other office software.
• Ability to generate and analyze reports to identify discrepancies and trends.
• Familiarity with barcoding, RF scanners, and inventory tracking technology.

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or GED required; Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, or Business preferred.
• 2+ years of experience in inventory control, warehouse operations, or related field.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and lift up to 50 lbs. as needed.
• Comfortable working in a warehouse environment with varying temperatures.

Additional Requirements

• Flexibility to work overtime, weekends, or holidays as required by business needs.
• Understanding of safety protocols and compliance in warehouse environments.
• Forklift certification a plus.

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

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, sit, and drive forklift intermittently. Must be able to reach, handle below shoulder, push or pull, frequently, handle above shoulder and squat rarely, tilt head, bend and twist at waist frequently. Sitting at a computer, using a keyboard and monitor is also required.

Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts and forklifts. The environment is ventilated, air conditioned, damp, and with vibrations. The ground can be uneven. The employee will rarely be exposed to fumes/gases and/or chemicals. The environment can be dusty and heated. Employees are required to wear the following protective equipment: hard hat, hair and/or beard net, steel toed boots (or equivalent), eye wear, cut gloves, and fall protection hear when necessary. Hearing protection is optional. The employee is performing the job indoors 95% of the time and 5% outdoors.