Inventory Controller

Job Title: Inventory Controller 
Industry: Manufacturing
Location: Thika
Gross Salary: Competitive
Our client is a well-established FMCG food manufacturing company operating a high-volume production facility in Kenya.
The business specialises in branded biscuit and confectionery products distributed locally and regionally. With a strong focus on quality, food safety, operational efficiency, and continuous improvement, the company operates within strict regulatory and food safety standards and maintains a fast-paced, performance-driven manufacturing environment.
The Inventory Controller is responsible for ensuring accurate, timely control and full visibility of raw materials, packaging, spare parts, work-in-progress, and finished goods inventory within a high-volume biscuit manufacturing operation.
The role focuses on maintaining high stock accuracy, minimising stock-outs and obsolescence, enforcing shelf-life and traceability requirements, and supporting production planning, cost control, and regulatory compliance.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Inventory Management & Controls

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• Maintain accurate perpetual inventory records for raw materials, packaging, WIP, and finished goods using the company ERP/WMS.
  
• Implement and enforce FIFO (First-In, First-Out) and FEFO (First-Expiry, First-Out) for all shelf-life–sensitive items, including ingredients, fats, creams, fillings, and finished biscuits.
  
• Conduct daily and weekly cycle counts; coordinate and manage monthly and quarterly physical stock takes.
  
• Reconcile physical stock against system records, investigate variances, prepare variance reports, and lead root-cause analysis for recurring discrepancies within agreed SLAs.
  
• Define, review, and maintain minimum/maximum stock levels, safety stock, and reorder points in collaboration with demand planning and procurement teams.
  

2. Receiving, Storage & Issuance

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• Supervise inbound receiving activities by verifying deliveries against purchase orders and quality release documentation.
  
• Ensure accurate batch/lot recording, labelling, and system posting upon receipt.
  
• Ensure appropriate storage conditions for raw materials and finished goods, including temperature, humidity, pest control, and segregation of quarantined or rejected stock.
  
• Authorise and issue materials to production in line with approved consumption procedures.
  
• Accurately record scrap, waste, and material losses.
  

3. Traceability, Compliance & Food Safety

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• Maintain full batch and lot traceability from raw material receipt through production to finished goods dispatch.
  
• Coordinate inventory-related support for product holds, withdrawals, or recalls by providing timely and accurate traceability data.
  
• Ensure compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), food safety systems (HACCP / ISO 22000, where applicable), KEBS labelling and packaging regulations, and internal SOPs.
  

4. Systems & Reporting

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• Maintain accurate ERP/WMS master data, including item codes, units of measure, pack sizes, shelf life parameters, and storage locations.
  
• Prepare and distribute daily, weekly, and monthly inventory reports covering stock position, ageing, obsolescence, shrinkage, and consumption versus plan.
  
• Support the Finance team with inventory valuation, month-end cut-offs, audits, and reconciliations.
  

5. Continuous Improvement & Cost Control

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• Identify opportunities to reduce inventory carrying costs, minimise waste, and improve material flow through layout optimisation, replenishment systems, or kanban initiatives.
  
• Lead or support 5S, lean manufacturing, and waste-reduction initiatives within warehouse and storage areas.
  
• Train, coach, and mentor warehouse staff on inventory control procedures, accuracy standards, and good housekeeping practices.
  

6. Teamwork & Stakeholder Management

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• Work closely with Procurement, Production Planning, Quality Assurance, Sales, Finance, and Maintenance to ensure material availability and accurate reporting.
  
• Supervise or coordinate activities of storekeepers, inventory clerks, and warehouse operatives.
  
• Ensure safe use of material handling equipment and compliance with workplace safety standards.
  

Qualifications & Experience

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• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, Food Technology, or a related discipline.
  
• 3–6 years’ experience in inventory control within an FMCG food manufacturing environment.
  
• Hands-on experience using ERP systems (e.g. SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, Odoo, or similar) and strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
  
• Knowledge of food safety management systems (HACCP / ISO 22000) and Kenyan regulatory requirements is an added advantage.
  

Key Skills & Competencies

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• Strong numerical, analytical, and reconciliation skills with high attention to detail.
  
• Solid understanding of inventory control methodologies, including FIFO/FEFO, cycle counting, and ABC/XYZ analysis.
  
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to prioritise in a fast-paced production environment.
  
• Effective communication and cross-functional coordination skills.
  
• Strong problem-solving capability with experience leading root-cause investigations.
  
• Supervisory and people management skills.
  
• Basic knowledge of warehouse equipment, racking systems, and forklift safety.
  
• High integrity, accountability, and commitment to food safety and compliance.
  

How to Apply
If you are up to the challenge and possess the necessary qualifications and experience; please send your CV only quoting the job title on the email subject (Inventory Controller) to vacancies@corporatestaffing.co.ke before 16th January 2026.