Inventory Control Manager

About Us:

Founded in 1994, Blue Falls Manufacturing (“BFM”) is the proud producer of Arctic Spas® Hot Tubs and All Weather Pools. We are proud to be Canada’s largest hot tub dealer, providing the best product and service in the industry. BFM thrives on inspiration, innovative engineering, and employee dedication and experience. Our team is customer focused, delivering the highest level of service and product quality possible.

Summary:

Blue Falls Manufacturing (“BFM”) is currently seeking a full-time Inventory Control Manager to join its Supply Chain and Logistics team at its corporate headquarters in Thorsby Alberta (4549 - 52 Street, T0C 2P0). Reporting to the VP, Finance & Administration, the Inventory Control Manager will be responsible for planning, organizing, directing, controlling, and evaluating the activities of the Inventory Control department and developing and implementing Inventory Control policies for BFM, BFU, and Corporate Retail. Additionally, this role will supervise, assign and review the work of those engaged in Inventory Control, and storage and distribution activities for BFM, BFU, and Corporate Retail. We are looking for a highly organized individual who thrives under pressure and who can manage shifting priorities with relative ease.

Work/life balance is part of BFM’s philosophy – Supply Chain and Logistics works Monday thru Friday, typically 7:30AM to 4:00PM (hours subject to minor fluctuation based on operational requirements).

We offer health and dental benefits after 90 days of employment, as well as RRSP matching after 180 days. At BFM there are numerous cross-training and developmental opportunities available; we promote from within when possible, and believe that the more you know, the more you grow!

Duties:

· Lead, train, and support existing Inventory Control team; improve, develop, and implement new Inventory Control practices and procedures that align with the overall business strategy

· Plan and execute inventory management initiatives to control and ensure that inventory is organized, scans are completed every month, and that stock is accurately identified via RFID and reconciled between physical availability and what is “on the books”

· Utilize RFID to simplify, improve, and optimize the inventory tracking process; mitigate labor costs by decreasing or eliminating manual counts, expediting processes such as shipment verification, counting and check-ins, etc., and streamlining the overall stock/asset management process

· Interpret comprehensive data on inventory status; trace the movement of raw materials and products across multiple locations and stages of the supply chain and utilize data to improve demand forecasting and reduce the risk of overstocking or understocking (optimize the purchase, storage, and distribution of goods)

· Analyse inventory utilisation and demand patterns, accounting for discontinued materials and/or the need for substitutions; determine and construe purchasing needs to the Purchasing team

· Work towards enabling dynamic replenishment; adjust inventory levels and orders based on current and projected demand. Employ the company’s RFID system to monitor inventory levels and product sales to trigger automatic replenishment orders when the stock reaches a predefined threshold to avoid stockouts and excess inventory, and optimize inventory turnover and cash flow

· Together with the Procurement Manager, manage the company’s inventories and create min/max levels for raw materials, ensuring the optimization of inventory turns across various locations

· Increase raw material inventory turns for the manufacturing plans, and achieve retail store inventory targets

· Minimize the investment in inventory by ensuring the optimum flow of materials into Manufacturing and Corporate Retail

· Maintain, review, and report total logistics spend to senior leadership

· Work with the company’s ERP system (BC18) in regards to managing inventory

· Ensure the implementation of the second phase of the company’s RFID system

· Compliment the on-going implementation and usage of the RFID system with continued manual inventory cycle and year-end counts to ensure inventory accuracy

· Jointly with Procurement, Production, and R&D, contribute to the company’s continuous improvement initiatives; more particularly, assist manufacturing in reducing scrap within the production facilities. Along with Procurement/Purchasing, review material sourcing including the quality of material and components used to produce goods and also the quality of material used in production tools. Ensure certification of materials and tools to help lower scrap across the shop floor

· Work collaboratively with Production Management, Research and Development, Dealer Support, Logistics, Procurement/Purchasing, Accounting, and other cross-functional departments to ensure all procurement activities align with the company’s business needs

Skills/Abilities:

· Excellent interpersonal, and verbal and written communication skills

· Mathematical skills to help manage various aspects of inventory and purchasing

· Problem-solving skills to deal with inventory/supply chain issues, discrepancies, etc.

· Ability to maintain composure, be collaborative and look for solutions

· Ability to work in a fast-paced environment

· Strong leadership skills; ability to teach/train and mentor team members

· Positive attitude and strong work ethic

· Excellent attendance and punctuality

· Physically fit with good mobility and manual dexterity

· Able to sit or stand for sustained durations

Computer Proficiency:

• Intermediate level MS Excel
• Proficiency with ERP systems as they relate to procurement, inventory, and accounting applications i.e. SAP S/4HANA Cloud, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Oracle ERP Cloud, Navision, Business Central (BC18), etc.
• Internal parts inventory system usage and maintenance; Inside Arctic (IA) and RFID

Experience

· 3-5 years’ experience in an Inventory Management, Operational Warehousing with solid Supply Chain Management knowledge

· 3-5 years’ supervisory experience/managing a team

· 3-5 years’ experience working in a computerized ERP environment utilizing Inventory planning modules including forecasting

· Experience in established problem-solving/process improvement methodology, i.e. Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma or related considered an asset

Qualifications:

· Completion of a post-secondary education program in business/commerce, supply chain, operations management or related (a combination of education, certification, and experience or extensive senior level experience/equivalencies considered

· Coursework in, actively working towards, or completed certification in supply chain i.e.: Certified in Planning and Inventory Management (CPIM), Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), Certified in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution (CLTD), Supply Chain Management Professional (SCMP), etc.

Work Environment/Conditions:

· Hours of work 8:00AM-4:30PM, negotiable within reason; potential overtime required

· Indoor and Outdoor; primarily office/desk work with requirement to regularly attend warehouse, yard, and production facilities

· Some exposure to fluctuating weather/temperatures; potential exposure to inclement weather on occasion

· May be exposed to dust/particulates, varying noise levels, and possibly chemicals/fumes

Other:

· Reliable personal transportation to commute to and from work

· Ability to travel to various company locations (BFM, BFU, and ASL) as needed

· Own steel-toed footwear required; all other PPE provided by the company

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: $80,000.00-$120,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Company events
• Dental care
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• Life insurance
• On-site parking
• Paid time off
• RRSP match

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Supplemental pay types:

• Bonus pay

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Thorsby, AB: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Experience:

• Inventory control: 3 years (preferred)
• Supervisory: 3 years (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

• Supply Chain Certification (preferred)

Work Location: In person