Inventory Control and Optimization Manager in Pottstown, Pennsylvania at The Food Source International Inc

Summary/Objective
The Inventory Control & Optimization Manager is responsible for ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and effectiveness of inventory processes across the organization. This position serves as the primary owner of inventory accuracy and is responsible for proactively identifying discrepancies, investigating root causes, implementing corrective actions, and developing sustainable solutions that improve inventory control and operational efficiency.
This role works cross-functionally with Warehouse, Production, Pre-Weigh, Supply Chain, Procurement, Quality, and Finance to identify process gaps, strengthen inventory controls, and establish best practices. The ideal candidate is highly analytical, hands-on, and solutions-oriented, with the ability to investigate complex inventory issues, challenge existing processes, and drive measurable improvements.

Essential Functions
The Inventory Control & Optimization Manager is responsible for overseeing inventory accuracy and identifying opportunities to improve inventory processes, controls, and systems. This position investigates inventory discrepancies and variances, performs root-cause analysis, and develops corrective and preventive solutions to address recurring issues.
The role establishes and maintains effective cycle counting, reconciliation, inventory adjustment, and reporting practices while partnering with operational teams to ensure inventory transactions are completed accurately and timely. This position provides functional leadership for inventory-related activities and drives accountability for inventory accuracy throughout the organization.

Responsibilities/Skills/Abilities
• Own inventory accuracy and integrity across warehouse and production operations.
• Proactively identify inventory discrepancies, variances, transaction errors, negative inventory, and other inventory control concerns.
• Investigate discrepancies between physical inventory and ERP inventory records.
• Perform detailed root-cause analysis to determine the source of inventory inaccuracies rather than relying solely on inventory adjustments to correct balances.
• Develop and implement corrective and preventive actions to address recurring inventory issues.
• Establish, maintain, and continuously improve cycle-counting programs and inventory reconciliation processes.
• Analyze inventory adjustments and identify patterns, trends, or operational practices contributing to inventory inaccuracies.
• Review inventory transactions related to receiving, material movements, production consumption, batch activity, transfers, returns, and inventory adjustments.
• Partner with Warehouse, Production, Pre-Weigh, Supply Chain, Procurement, Quality, and Finance to identify and resolve inventory-related issues.
• Evaluate current inventory processes and recommend improvements to strengthen internal controls, inventory accuracy, traceability, and operational efficiency.
• Develop and implement inventory control procedures and best practices.
• Identify gaps in ERP usage, transactional processes, and operational practices that may contribute to inaccurate inventory.
• Develop inventory reporting and key performance indicators to provide leadership with visibility into inventory accuracy, discrepancies, adjustments, and recurring issues.
• Monitor inventory accuracy metrics and communicate significant findings, risks, and recommended solutions to leadership.
• Lead physical inventory counts and cycle-count activities, including variance research and reconciliation.
• Ensure inventory adjustments are appropriately researched, documented, and supported before completion.
• Provide functional direction and leadership for inventory-related activities across the organization.
• Train and coach employees on inventory procedures, ERP transactions, cycle-counting practices, and inventory control expectations.
• Partner with department leadership to ensure employees are following established inventory processes and procedures.
• Identify opportunities to improve material flow, inventory organization, transaction accuracy, and inventory visibility.
• Support inventory controls related to lot traceability, FIFO requirements, allergens, expiration dates, and other applicable food manufacturing requirements.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives involving inventory, warehouse operations, production, and material flow.
• Assist with inventory-related audits and provide supporting documentation as required.
• Escalate significant inventory discrepancies, control failures, or recurring process issues to appropriate leadership.
• Maintain accurate documentation related to inventory investigations, corrective actions, procedures, and process improvements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations, Business, Accounting, or related field preferred; equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in inventory control, inventory management, warehouse operations, supply chain, or related field.
• Previous experience owning inventory accuracy or leading inventory control activities strongly preferred.
• Experience in a manufacturing environment required; food, ingredient, flavor, seasoning, or other regulated manufacturing experience preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of inventory control principles, cycle counting, physical inventory, inventory reconciliation, and root-cause analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to identify inventory discrepancies, investigate complex issues, and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Strong ERP experience required, including experience researching inventory transactions and reconciling system inventory to physical inventory.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills with the ability to analyze inventory data, identify trends, and develop meaningful reporting.
• Experience developing or improving inventory processes, procedures, controls, and KPIs.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize competing issues, and take ownership of problems through resolution.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively across multiple departments and levels of the organization.
• Ability to challenge existing processes constructively and drive accountability for inventory accuracy.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Physical Requirements
• Ability to regularly work within warehouse and production environments.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods while conducting inventory counts, investigations, and operational observations.
• Ability to bend, reach, stoop, and move throughout warehouse and production areas as necessary.
• Ability to safely work around warehouse equipment, production equipment, and material-handling operations.
• Ability to lift and/or move materials as required within established company safety guidelines.

Work Environment
This position operates in both an office and manufacturing/warehouse environment. The employee will regularly work within warehouse, production, and material storage areas and may be exposed to varying temperatures, noise levels, food ingredients, allergens, dust, and moving equipment. Appropriate personal protective equipment must be worn as required.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time position. The position is expected to work the hours necessary to support business and operational needs. Additional hours may occasionally be required to support physical inventories, cycle counts, inventory investigations, audits, production schedules, or other operational requirements.

EEO: We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by the law.