Inventory Manager

What could be sweeter than a career in chocolate?

Our MISSION: "To Share Happiness Through Chocolate"

Our VISION: "From idea to indulgence, we leverage innovation and deep collaboration to deliver our partners, sustainable craft chocolate solutions"

Our VALUES: Customer-Centred. Communication. Curiosity. Impact. Accountability. Collaboration. Community

Position Description:

This role undertakes the following responsibilities and objectives on behalf of both Foley’s and Brockmann’s business units.

Under broad direction, the Inventory Manager’s primary function is to supervise and direct the inventory and warehousing manpower and to coordinate the traffic of materials between the plants and warehouses. They provide supervision and leadership around inventory and materials efficiency and effectiveness and continuous improvement, plant-wide. They partner with quality, production, and maintenance to facilitate excellence in food product quality and food safety throughout the plant, along with compliance with all regulatory guidelines.

Reporting to the Director of Operations, this position is responsible for the hands-on supervision and on-the-floor coordination of the activities of warehouse and inventory workers; ensuring logistics activities (in/out and onsite) are completed in a timely and accurate manner, and within the inventory and quality standards, while adhering to all health and safety requirements. This includes coordinating the receipt of materials for required production dates, overseeing the shipment of products to warehouses and plants, communicating and synchronizing product movement, ensuring import/export compliance, and providing logistics support activities as needed. In addition, they assist and provide guidance in the development and maintenance of a safe & healthy workplace through active communication with the company health & safety committee, management, and employees; including worksite inspections and proposals of corrective actions for unsafe work environments or unsafe work behaviours. setup inventory and KPI’s.

Key Accountabilities:

Management & Operations

• Coordination of logistics:
  • Execute system requirements to ensure timely and accurate product shipments to warehouses
  • Submission of purchase orders/bill of lading and packing instructions to warehouse employees
• Devise ways to optimize inventory control procedures
• Inspect the levels of business supplies and raw material to ensure availability and preclude shortages
• Ensure product stock is adequate for all distribution channels and can cover direct demand from customers
• Record daily deliveries and shipments to reconcile inventory
• Use software to monitor demand and document characteristics of inventory
• Manage inventory to targets for turns, volume and $’s and ensure no out of stocks.
• Analyze data to anticipate future needs
• Evaluate suppliers to achieve cost-effective deals and maintain trust relationships
• Collaborate with warehouse employees and other staff to ensure business goals are met
• Coordinate communications between plants and other logistics coordinators in a clear and timely manner:
  • Ensure that internal and external customer service expectations are met at all times
  • Communicate measures, controls, and quantities of raw materials and finished packaging materials, maintaining accurate cycle counting practices
  • Ensure systems accurately reflect up to date information
• Report to upper management on stock levels, issues etc
• Develop and implement inventory operational standards for staff compliance
• Utilize computer systems to electronically track inventory flow, scan stock, and reconcile inventory
• Maintain positive work relationships with customers and suppliers to ensure smooth business operations
• Coordinate the supply of goods to customers to ensure complete orders and timely delivery
• Address and resolve staff or client complaints/grievances to protect the reputation of a company and ensure a satisfied clientele
• Record daily deliveries and shipment to maintain information required for periodic inventory reconciliation
• Assign and delegate job tasks to inventory personnel to ensure operational objectives are achieved
• Manage warehouse transfers, ensuring clear communication of transfers between sites
• Lead the coordination and management of daily, monthly, and annual physical cycle counts

Administration & Support

• Working in collaboration with different departments, manage different projects primary tasks include:
  • Coordination of raw materials inventory management (includes verification of accurate lot codes and quantities
• Create and maintain spreadsheets for the report and analysis of data
• Provide written reports and results of data analysis to senior management
• Provide recommendations to management on operational policies and objectives required for improved performance
• Utilize scanning terminals and fixed asset tracking software to monitor and regulate shipment from a warehouse

Quality & Safety

• Adhere to all company policies and procedures in maintaining a safe work environment for self and others
• Promote a continuous learning environment and sharing best practices, methods and ideas

Other

• Perform such other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned, from time to time, without advanced notice
• Assist in special projects, assignments and analyses as directed
• Champion a culture of high performance through employee engagement and continuous improvement orientation in all actions and approaches

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required to Successfully Perform Major Duties/Responsibilities:

• Solid command of the English language; capable of using moderately complex oral and written communication skills
• Strong people management and leadership skill; able to coach, manage, train and motivate
• Leads by example, demonstrates competency in all food safety and work safety practices
• Able to work well in a team environment; communicates with respect
• Solid technical understanding of processes and practice related to the effective use and maintenance of equipment
• Able to solve moderate to advanced problems, organize and accomplish tasks within set timeframes; operates with accuracy and strong attention to detail
• Detailed knowledge of regulatory and quality system requirements – PRP, HACCP, Good Manufacturing Process (GMP)
• Proficiency in computer programs/software such as Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and related ERP/MRP systems.
• Knowledge of Sage and MiSys an asset
• Strong can-do/ service attitude; capable of dealing with uncertainty
• General knowledge of WorkSafe BC and Occupational Health and Safety Regulations
• Possess a continuous improvement and learning orientation; adaptable and open to change
• Ensures a high professional standard of service and performance by actively participating in education and training programs

Education and Experience Requirements:

• S. in Food Management Science, Post-secondary education in logistics. (P. Log. CITT, or APICS designation or enrolled) or equivalent
• 5+ years’ experience in a manufacturing environment; plus 3+ years of people management/supervision and a strong background in ERP systems