Inventory Control Warehouse Associate

Department: Warehouse / Operations
Reports To: Warehouse & Logistics Leader / Production Leader
Employment Type: Full-Time
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

The Inventory Control Warehouse Associate is responsible for maintaining accurate inventory records and supporting the safe, efficient movement and storage of raw materials, packaging materials, finished goods, and other inventory throughout the facility.

This position combines warehouse responsibilities with inventory control duties, including receiving and issuing materials, performing inventory counts, investigating discrepancies, maintaining lot and location accuracy, and completing inventory transactions within the company's inventory management system.

The Inventory Control Warehouse Associate plays an important role in maintaining product traceability, inventory accuracy, food safety, and production readiness.

·         Receive incoming raw materials, ingredients, packaging materials, supplies, and other inventory.

·         Verify received materials against purchase orders, packing slips, and other receiving documentation.

·         Confirm quantities, item numbers, lot numbers, dates, and condition of received materials.

·         Accurately complete inventory receipts, transfers, adjustments, issues, and other transactions within the inventory management system.

·         Maintain accurate physical and system inventory by item, lot, quantity, and storage location.

·         Perform routine cycle counts and assist with physical inventory counts.

·         Research and investigate inventory discrepancies between physical quantities and system records.

·         Report inventory discrepancies and assist in identifying and correcting root causes.

·         Monitor inventory levels and communicate shortages, discrepancies, damaged materials, or other concerns to appropriate personnel.

·         Stage and issue raw materials and packaging materials to production based on production requirements.

·         Return unused materials from production to the appropriate inventory location and ensure system quantities are updated.

·         Move finished goods from production into designated warehouse locations and ensure inventory transactions are completed accurately.

·         Maintain proper lot control and product traceability throughout material movement.

·         Follow FIFO and/or FEFO inventory rotation requirements as applicable.

·         Ensure materials are stored in designated locations and properly identified.

·         Identify and properly segregate damaged, expired, rejected, held, or otherwise nonconforming materials.

·         Assist Quality and Production with inventory holds, product releases, traceability exercises, recalls, and inventory investigations as needed.

·         Maintain organized warehouse and inventory storage areas.

·         Safely operate forklifts, pallet jacks, and other material-handling equipment when authorized.

·         Inspect materials and pallets for obvious damage or conditions that could affect food safety or product quality.

·         Follow facility GMPs, food safety requirements, allergen controls, sanitation requirements, and warehouse procedures.

·         Maintain required inventory, receiving, shipping, and warehouse documentation.

·         Communicate inventory concerns and material availability issues that could affect production schedules.

·         Assist with loading, unloading, material movement, and general warehouse duties as needed.

·         Participate in continuous improvement efforts related to inventory accuracy, warehouse organization, and material flow.

·         Perform other duties as assigned.

The Inventory Control Warehouse Associate is expected to maintain a high level of inventory accuracy and accountability. Key responsibilities include:

·         Physical inventory versus system inventory reconciliation

·         Cycle counting

·         Lot and location accuracy

·         Inventory transaction accuracy

·         Inventory discrepancy investigation

·         Raw material and packaging accountability

·         Finished goods inventory accuracy

·         Inventory adjustments with appropriate authorization

·         FIFO/FEFO rotation

·         Hold and release inventory controls

·         Inventory traceability

·         Documentation and record accuracy

Required

·         High school diploma or equivalent preferred.

·         Previous warehouse, inventory, manufacturing, or material-handling experience preferred.

·         Ability to accurately count, record, and verify inventory quantities.

·         Basic computer skills and ability to learn inventory management or ERP systems, experience preferred.

·         Ability to read and understand item numbers, lot numbers, labels, production documentation, and inventory records.

·         Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.

·         Ability to communicate effectively with Warehouse, Production, Quality, Purchasing, and other departments.

·         Ability to work independently while maintaining accurate records.

·         Ability to safely operate material-handling equipment or successfully complete required training.

Preferred

·         Previous inventory control experience.

·         Previous food manufacturing or food warehouse experience.

·         Experience with ERP, warehouse management, or inventory management systems.

·         Forklift experience or certification.

·         Experience performing cycle counts and inventory reconciliation.

All employees are responsible for supporting the facility's food safety and quality programs. The Inventory Control Warehouse Associate must:

·         Follow all GMP and food safety requirements.

·         Protect ingredients, packaging materials, and finished products from contamination or damage.

·         Maintain proper lot identification and traceability.

·         Follow allergen and material segregation requirements.

·         Immediately report damaged, contaminated, mislabeled, expired, or otherwise questionable materials.

·         Follow established procedures for held, rejected, and released inventory.

·         Report food safety and quality concerns to appropriate supervision or Quality personnel.

·         Follow all facility safety policies and procedures.

·         Wear required personal protective equipment.

·         Operate forklifts and material-handling equipment safely.

·         Maintain clear aisles, exits, fire equipment, and designated storage areas.

·         Properly stack, store, and secure materials.

·         Report unsafe conditions, damaged racking, damaged pallets, spills, and other hazards immediately.

·         Participate in required safety training.

The employee must be able to:

·         Frequently stand, walk, bend, reach, and perform material-handling activities throughout the shift.

·         Lift and/or move materials consistent with established facility lifting requirements.

·         Work around forklifts and other powered industrial equipment.

·         Work in frozen warehouse and food-manufacturing environments that will include temperature changes, noise, and freezer areas.

·         Perform repetitive counting, labeling, scanning, and material-handling activities.

Successful performance in this position includes:

·         Maintaining accurate physical and system inventory.

·         Completing inventory transactions promptly and accurately.

·         Identifying and investigating inventory discrepancies.

·         Maintaining accurate lot and location information.

·         Ensuring materials are available to support production.

·         Following FIFO/FEFO and traceability requirements.

·         Maintaining an organized and safe warehouse.

·         Communicating inventory issues before they affect production.

·         Consistently following food safety, quality, GMP, and safety requirements.