Job Purpose
The Inventory Controller is responsible for maintaining accurate inventory records, monitoring stock movements, controlling stock levels, and supporting efficient replenishment across stores and warehouses. The role ensures that physical stock matches system records, inventory discrepancies are investigated promptly, and sufficient stock is available to support daily operations while minimizing excess, damaged, expired, or slow-moving inventory.
Key ResponsibilitiesInventory Management
- Monitor daily inventory movements including receiving, transfers, returns, adjustments, wastage, and stock issues.
- Maintain accurate inventory records within the company's ERP/POS/inventory management system.
- Ensure all stock transactions are recorded correctly and on time.
- Monitor stock levels across warehouses, retail stores, cafés, and other operational locations.
- Identify low-stock, overstocked, slow-moving, and non-moving items and highlight them to management.
- Support stock replenishment planning based on consumption, sales, minimum stock levels, and operational requirements.
Stock Counts & Reconciliation
- Conduct and coordinate daily, weekly, monthly, and periodic stock counts.
- Perform cycle counts for high-value and high-movement items.
- Reconcile physical stock against system inventory.
- Investigate stock discrepancies and identify the root cause of variances.
- Prepare stock adjustment reports and obtain required approvals before system adjustments.
- Maintain proper documentation for inventory corrections and discrepancies.
Receiving & Transfers
- Verify goods received against purchase orders, delivery notes, and system records.
- Ensure quantities, product details, batch information, and expiry dates are correctly recorded where applicable.
- Monitor inter-store and warehouse stock transfers and ensure both dispatch and receipt are properly documented.
- Follow up on pending, incomplete, or disputed stock transfers.
Expiry, Damage & Wastage Control
- Monitor product expiry dates and ensure FIFO/FEFO procedures are followed.
- Identify short-dated products and coordinate with relevant teams to minimize potential wastage.
- Maintain records of damaged, expired, returned, and written-off inventory.
- Review wastage trends and highlight unusual or recurring losses.
- Ensure disposals and write-offs follow company approval procedures.
Inventory Reporting
- Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly inventory reports.
- Report on:
- Stock availability
- Inventory variances
- Wastage and damages
- Expired and short-dated stock
- Slow-moving and non-moving inventory
- Stock adjustments
- Inventory turnover
- Provide management with accurate inventory information to support purchasing and operational decisions.
Process & Internal Controls
- Ensure inventory procedures and company policies are followed across all locations.
- Work closely with warehouse, procurement, retail, café, production, finance, and operations teams.
- Assist in developing and improving inventory control procedures.
- Identify weaknesses in stock-handling processes and recommend corrective actions.
- Support internal and external inventory audits.
- Maintain organized inventory records and supporting documentation.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Inventory accuracy percentage
- Stock variance percentage
- Reduction in inventory discrepancies
- Wastage and expiry percentage
- Stock availability
- Timeliness and accuracy of stock counts
- Stock adjustment frequency
- Inventory turnover
- Compliance with FIFO/FEFO procedures
- Timely reconciliation of store and warehouse transfers
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor's degree or diploma in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business Administration, Accounting, or a related field.
- Minimum 2–3 years of experience in inventory control, warehouse operations, retail, FMCG, food & beverage, hospitality, or a similar environment.
- Experience managing inventory across multiple locations is preferred.
- Experience using ERP, POS, or inventory management systems.
- Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Excel.
Skills & Competencies
- Strong numerical and analytical skills.
- Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
- Strong understanding of inventory control principles.
- Ability to investigate and resolve stock discrepancies.
- Good organizational and record-keeping skills.
- Ability to work with large volumes of SKUs and stock transactions.
- Strong communication and coordination skills.
- Ability to work independently and meet reporting deadlines.
- Good knowledge of FIFO and FEFO inventory practices.
- Advanced Excel skills, including PivotTables, lookups, and inventory analysis, are an advantage.
Preferred Experience
Experience within retail, premium food, confectionery, café, hospitality, or FMCG operations would be highly advantageous, particularly where inventory includes finished products, packaging materials, food ingredients, and short-shelf-life products.
Work Location: In person
