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.*** 
