Job Summary

The Inventory Manager is responsible for overseeing the entire lifecycle of company stock, from procurement receipt to final dispatch. This strategic role focuses on optimizing stock levels, reducing carrying costs, eliminating obsolescence, and ensuring 100% inventory accuracy across all warehouses. The manager leads the storekeeping team, implements robust cycle-counting programs, and utilizes ERP data to drive purchasing and production decisions.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Analytical (50%)

• Stock Optimization: Establish minimum/maximum reorder points (ROP) and safety stock levels based on sales velocity, lead times, and demand forecasting.
• Data Integrity: Ensure the accuracy of the Inventory Management System (ERP/WMS); investigate and rectify system-to-physical discrepancies.
• KPI Management: Generate and present weekly/monthly reports on Stock Turnover Ratio, Days Inventory Outstanding (DIO), Shrinkage rates, and Dead Stock value.
• Obsolescence Control: Identify slow-moving or obsolete items and coordinate with Sales/Procurement for liquidation, return to vendor (RTV), or disposal.
• Budgeting: Prepare the annual inventory budget, including provisions for shrinkage and write-offs.

Operational & Supervisory (30%)

• Team Leadership: Recruit, train, and supervise Storekeepers, Clerks, and Material Handlers. Conduct performance appraisals.
• Process Audits: Design and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for receiving, put-away, storage, packing, and shipping.
• Cycle Counting: Manage a dynamic cycle-counting schedule (ABC analysis) to ensure high-value items are counted frequently; lead the annual physical stocktake.
• Space Management: Optimize warehouse layout (racking, bin locations) to maximize cubic capacity while ensuring FIFO/FEFO (First Expiry First Out) compliance.

Compliance & Safety (20%)

• Security: Implement security protocols to prevent theft, damage, or unauthorized access.
• HSE: Ensure all storage practices adhere to Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) regulations, specifically regarding hazardous materials or heavy loads.
• Audit: Serve as the primary point of contact for internal and external financial auditors regarding stock valuation.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, or Finance. (MBA or APICS/CSCP certification preferred).

Experience: Minimum 5-7 years of experience in inventory management, with at least 2 years in a supervisory capacity.

Technical Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics) and WMS.
• Expert-level Excel skills (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUPs, Power Query).

Soft Skills: Strong analytical mindset, leadership presence, problem-solving under pressure, and cross-departmental communication.

• Stock Optimization: Establish minimum/maximum reorder points (ROP) and safety stock levels based on sales velocity, lead times, and demand forecasting.
• Data Integrity: Ensure the accuracy of the Inventory Management System (ERP/WMS); investigate and rectify system-to-physical discrepancies.
• KPI Management: Generate and present weekly/monthly reports on Stock Turnover Ratio, Days Inventory Outstanding (DIO), Shrinkage rates, and Dead Stock value.
• Obsolescence Control: Identify slow-moving or obsolete items and coordinate with Sales/Procurement for liquidation, return to vendor (RTV), or disposal.
• Budgeting: Prepare the annual inventory budget, including provisions for shrinkage and write-offs.
• Team Leadership: Recruit, train, and supervise Storekeepers, Clerks, and Material Handlers. Conduct performance appraisals.
• Process Audits: Design and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for receiving, put-away, storage, packing, and shipping.
• Cycle Counting: Manage a dynamic cycle-counting schedule (ABC analysis) to ensure high-value items are counted frequently; lead the annual physical stocktake.
• Space Management: Optimize warehouse layout (racking, bin locations) to maximize cubic capacity while ensuring FIFO/FEFO (First Expiry First Out) compliance.
• Security: Implement security protocols to prevent theft, damage, or unauthorized access.
• HSE: Ensure all storage practices adhere to Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) regulations, specifically regarding hazardous materials or heavy loads.
• Audit: Serve as the primary point of contact for internal and external financial auditors regarding stock valuation.

• Advanced proficiency in ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics) and WMS.
• Expert-level Excel skills (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUPs, Power Query).
• Strong analytical mindset
• Leadership presence
• Problem-solving under pressure
• Cross-departmental communication

• Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, or Finance. (MBA or APICS/CSCP certification preferred).