Job Summary

The Inventory Control Manager is responsible for overseeing and optimizing all inventory management activities within a food manufacturing and distribution environment. This role combines strategic inventory leadership with advanced inventory analysis to ensure raw ingredients, packaging materials, work-in-progress (WIP), and finished food products are accurately tracked, properly stored, and readily available to support production schedules and customer demand.

The position ensures inventory accuracy, product traceability, FIFO/FEFO compliance, shelf-life management, regulatory compliance, and financial accountability and serving as the primary liaison with Headquarters for inventory reporting, audits, and continuous improvement initiatives

Inventory Management

• Maintain accurate inventory records for raw ingredients, packaging materials, WIP, finished goods, and consumable production supplies.
• Develop, implement, and maintain inventory control procedures that comply with food manufacturing standards.
• Coordinate daily, weekly, monthly, and annual cycle count programs.
• Monitor inventory levels to support production while minimizing waste, spoilage, and excess inventory.
• Analyze inventory variances and implement corrective actions.
• Monitor slow-moving, excess, obsolete, damaged, and expired inventory.
• Ensure FIFO and FEFO inventory rotation.
• Monitor product shelf life and expiration dates.
• Maintain complete lot and batch traceability.
• Reduce waste, spoilage, product damage, and carrying costs.
• Implement Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement initiatives.

Inventory Analytics & Reporting

• Analyze inventory trends and identify opportunities to reduce spoilage.
• Utilize Excel, Google Sheets and our ERP (Netsuite) system to analyze inventory movements
• Perform root cause analysis on inventory losses.
• Maintain inventory integrity within NetSuite and Warehouse Management Systems (WMS).
• Ensure accurate recording of receipts, production consumption, transfers, adjustments, returns, and scrap.
• Manage staging using FIFO and FEFO.

Accounting & Financial Coordination

• Collaborate with Finance, Purchasing, Production, and Supply Chain teams to reconcile inventory balances.
• Ensure accurate inventory valuation and financial reporting.
• Support month-end inventory reconciliation and financial close.
• Analyze inventory adjustments and prepare audit reports.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop Inventory Control and Warehouse personnel.
• Train employees on ERP/WMS systems, Organic traceability, and compliance.
• Establish measurable goals related to inventory accuracy
• Collaborate across Production, Purchasing, Planning, Logistics, QA, Maintenance, and Headquarters.

Headquarters Communication

• Serve as the primary inventory contact with Headquarters.
• Present inventory metrics, trends, waste analysis, and improvement recommendations.
• Support ERP enhancements and executive decision-making.

Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills including Pivot Tables, Power Query, XLOOKUP, dashboards, and reporting.
• Experience with NetSuite ERP and Warehouse Management Systems.
• Knowledge of inventory costing, reconciliation, forecasting, and financial reporting.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, handheld scanners, and shipping/logistics systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Business Administration, Operations Management, Accounting is a plus.
• Equivalent food manufacturing inventory experience considered.
• APICS CPIM, CSCP, Lean Six Sigma, certifications are a plus

Experience

• 5–7 years of inventory management experience in food manufacturing, processing, beverage manufacturing, or food distribution.
• 5+ years of leadership or supervisory experience.
• Experience with lot traceability, expiration management, and ERP/WMS systems.

Pay: $77,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person