Inventory Controller

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.

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Key Responsibilities:

Inventory Management & Controls

• 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.

Receiving, Storage & Issuance

• 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.

Traceability, Compliance & Food Safety

• 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.

Systems & Reporting

• 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.

Continuous Improvement & Cost Control

• 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.

Teamwork & Stakeholder Management

• 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

• 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

• 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.