Key Responsibilities- Demand Forecasting & Financial Alignment: Analyze sales demand, production schedules, and historical data to forecast inventory needs. Determine precise purchasing triggers and lead times to ensure material availability while optimizing working capital and minimizing holding costs.
- Root Cause & Pattern Analysis: Analyze cycle counts, physical inventory audits, and production logs to identify recurring variance patterns, systemic error sources, and operational bottlenecks.
- IT & System Control Implementation: Collaborate with the IT team to design, configure, and enforce system safeguards within the ERP/WMS environment to minimize human error and automate data accuracy.
- Process Redesign & SOP Creation: Update, standardize, and simplify Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for inventory movement, raw material consumption, scrap reporting, and finished goods recording.
- Floor-Level Collaboration & Training: Spend significant time on the shop floor partnering with operators and floor supervisors to understand daily operational realities and train teams on revised workflows.
- Piloting & Change Management: Lead short-term pilot programs for new inventory protocols, gathering feedback, refining processes, and driving cultural adoption across shifts.
- Sustaining & Auditing: Establish ongoing audit frameworks and visual management tools to ensure compliance stickiness and long-term behavioral change.
Qualifications & Experience- 3-5+ years in inventory control, demand planning, continuous improvement, or systems/process management in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Solid understanding of the financial aspects of inventory management, including forecasting, purchasing cycles, safety stock calculations, and working capital optimization.
- Strong experience working with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) or Warehouse Management Systems (WMS).
- Proven track record in root cause analysis methodologies (e.g., 5 Whys, Fishbone diagrams, Gemba walks, Lean/Six Sigma principles).
- Exceptional interpersonal skills with the demonstrated ability to build trust on the shop floor while effectively presenting solutions to executive leadership.
- Demonstrated capability in change management-shifting floor behavior from reactive workarounds to standard compliance.
Candidate ScorecardMission StatementEliminate recurring inventory discrepancies by diagnosing root causes, co-designing systemic and operational controls, and establishing sustainable floor-level habits. Concurrently, utilize demand forecasting and financial principles to optimize purchasing cycles and ensure precise material availability.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)Objective / MetricTarget OutcomeTimelineInventory AccuracyAchieve and maintain overall inventory record accuracy above 98%.
First 6 months
Discrepancy RecurrenceReduce repeat variance categories by 75% through root-cause resolution.
First 9 months
Forecasting & Stock LevelsMaintain 99% raw material availability for production while reducing excess obsolete inventory by 25%.
Ongoing
SOP Compliance & AuditsEstablish weekly audit scorecards with floor compliance exceeding 95%.
First 3 months
System SafeguardsImplement at least 3 automated IT/ERP system controls to eliminate manual entry risks.
First 6 months
