Inventory & Production Manager (Manufacturing Sector)

Overview: Our client is a well-established regional group of companies which manufacture, distributes and retails paint, accessories, and high-performance coatings across the region. Due to expansion of its regional base, they are seeking a strategic and results-oriented professional with strong analytical skills to join the Guyana-based management team.

The successful applicant will report directly to the Vice President Operations and Head of Business Unit Barbados and indirectly to the Chief Operating Officer.

 Duties & Responsibilities:

• To effectively manage the overall production processes through planning and directing or coordinating for the efficient production of products at the right quality, quantity and price in the production plant. 
  
• In conjunction with Technical Department, provide technical assistance for customer complaints, including assessments and monitoring follow-up actions.
  
• To perform a variety of tasks involved in maintaining inventory organization, and the delivery / shipment of stock, including receiving, verifying, storing, packing, and issuing of stock.
  
• Manage production operations to facilitate the maximization of resources to achieve quality, productivity and profitability. 
  
• Review production requirements and work out weekly production schedules to determine workflow and assign duties accordingly.
  
• Ensure goods and services are produced efficiently and that the correct amount is produced at the right cost and level of quality.
  
• Plan and establish work schedules, assignments, and production sequences, to meet production goals. 
  
• Estimate production costs and set and manage production budgets.
  
• Create and maintain production reports monthly or as required.
  
• Implement policies and procedures and present recommendations for improvements in production methods, equipment, operating procedures and working conditions.
  
• Review plans and confer with research and support staff to develop new products and processes or the quality of existing products.
  
• Detect production problems through the analysis of production, quality control, maintenance, and other operational reports.
  
• Examine samples of raw products or direct testing during processing to ensure finished products conform to prescribed quality standards.
  
• Implement and maintain safety procedures as required by the SHE Policy as well as local Occupational Safety guidelines.
  
• Monitor activities of the workplace to ensure compliance with SHE Policy and government safety regulations.
  
• Carry out safety inspections of work areas to identify hazards and to implement corrective actions.
  
• Conduct safety training and drills in collaboration with the Human Resource department.
  
• Review safety policy to ensure it is up to date with local regulations and continuously meets the company’s needs.
  
• Ensure that employees are given the proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and that they are used.
  
• Conduct training in areas such as fire prevention, handling of hazardous materials, machine guarding, etc.
  
• Identify training needs, develop appropriate training and deliver such training to employees.
  
• Direct and coordinate inventory levels to ensure the right mix of finished goods inventory in order to supply customers’ orders on time and in full.  
  
• Review and establish policies and procedures for inventory management with marketing or other groups.
  
• Make recommended adjustments to forecast inventory targets based on changes in demand and market trends. 
  
• Manage warehouse to maintain inventory in a state of conformance to company’s quality criteria. 
  
• Assist with creation of annual inventory budget and manage same. 
  
• Analyse and correct inventory count discrepancies.  Oversee disposition of excess or obsolete inventory.
  
• Develop policy for reducing and controlling inventory. 
  
• Investigate shipping error root-causes with vendors or customers and provide formal report on corrective action to be implemented.
  
• Plan and execute accurate stock counts at financial year end, cycle counts and periodically during the year, as per finance procedures.
  
• Establish and utilize the best methods (statistical models. and software tools) in creating forecasts and respective inventory targets.
  
• Be familiar with the Inventory System and its effective use in Inventory management
  
• Initiate and coordinate inventory control programs for main warehouse and retail stores.
  
• Ensure that accurate controls and procedures are in place to properly implement stock checks.
  
• Maintain inventory controls by managing all inventory databases; perform cycle counts, perform physical inventories checks that are correct and timely and track expiration dates.
  
• Maintain inventory controls by ensuring all stock items are properly stored in assigned bins and SAGE bin tracking systems are fully utilized to ensure conformity as per company’s procedures.
  
• Monitor and control the movement of stock and ensure that variances in physical stock are within acceptable limits.
  
• Ensure compliance with established procedures and maintain effective internal control over the physical stock flow.
  
• Take all reasonable steps to ensure the security of inventory within the warehouse.
  
• Manage external service personnel contracted for delivery. 
  
• Ensure that the loading of goods is supervised to ensure accuracy of deliveries and efficiency of the process to ensure safe and effective deliveries of goods.
  
• Ensure the effective and efficient deployment of delivery vehicles and support staff.
  
• Ensure the accurate and timely delivery of export orders in keeping with established export procedures.
  
• Ensure that inbound and outbound containers are handled in accordance with set procedures to ensure safety of stock and in the supply chain.
  
• Monitor inbound containers to ensure minimal charges, if any, caused by undue delays in off-loading /destuffing.           
  
• Liaise with customers (external and internal) to provide information on unit cost shipping or delivery date, any anticipated delay, and additional information needed. 
  
• Compute total charge for merchandise or services and shipping charges. 
  
• Prepare invoices and shipping documents. 
  
• Route or relay orders to specified department or unit to prepare and ship orders to designated locations. 
  
• Confer with sales or common carrier personnel to expedite or trace merchandise or delayed shipments. 
  
• Review orders for completeness according to reporting procedures and forward incomplete orders for further processing. 
  
• Calculate and compile statistics and prepare reports for management. 
  
• Check inventory control to determine availability of merchandise and notify department of order that would deplete stock. 
  
• Recommend types of packing or labeling needed on order.
  
• Plan and conduct meetings with staff to ensure compliance with established practices, to implement new policies and appraise employees of any changes to current standards.
  
• Observe and monitor direct/indirect reports’ performance to ensure adherence to the business unit’s policies and procedures.  
  
• Observe and monitor employee performance to ensure adherence to the business unit’s policies and procedures. 
  
• Carry out performance appraisals as per company’s procedure in ensuring that reviews are ongoing, and results are used to help employees improve performance – which includes development of employees for future advancement when possible.
  
• Implementation of productivity/quality metrics and of incentive programs designed to minimize costs and enhance efficiency.
  
• Plan, design and lead the appropriate measures, metrics and models to drive improved performance and efficiency of the organization structure that best meets the current and future needs. 
  

Requirements

• Degree in Business / Management / Inventory / Supply Chain along with at least 5 years of experience in an Operational leadership role.  
  
• Extensive knowledge of Manufacturing Operations - Inventory/Warehouse and Production Management
  
• Effective leadership capabilities - with track record of leading effective Inventory and Production teams
  
• Good knowledge of local painting and coatings segments.
  
• Microsoft Office specifically advance MS Excel & PowerPoint
  
• Strong Networking and Relationship building ability 
  
• Ability and track record of forecasting / Budgeting 
  
• Inventory and Production activity Planning