What are the responsibilities and job description for the Inventory Control Specialist position at Baxters North America Inc?
Baxters is looking for a passionate, detail-oriented Inventory Analyst to join our Operations Finance team. In this position, you will play a critical role in supporting the organization by providing insight, process structure, and strategic thinking to improve our Inventory optimization and resulting in working capital improvements. You will have the Opportunity to impact working capital, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and grow in a dynamic environment. You will play a critical role in enabling gross margin optimization through analytical insights.
Scope of Job: The primary objective of this role is inventory control of finished goods needed to fulfill forecasted sales and scheduled distribution plans. Monitors and updates master schedule to reflect inventory turnover, stocking decisions, forecasting, and administrative controls. Analyzes inventory levels, production speed, product demand, and shipment schedules that determine reorder levels and ensure product availability and minimize inventory costs. Maintains and updates inventory system. Creates and reviews reports to identify trends or issues and to support or initiate actions or adjustments.
Develop and implement complex modeling tools to accurately develop and implement insightful and action-oriented modeling tools to support inventory and financial planning. Ensures data integrity processes are defined and followed within manufacturing, product management, supply chain and financial systems.
Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities:
- Produce regular analysis based on weekly sales, days on hand, production, demand and demand forecasting
- Ensure proper inventory levels are maintained by consistently reviewing weeks of supply and in-stock goals
- Focus on KPIs such as inventory turns, forecast accuracy, and margin improvement
- Build and monitor inventory stock models by location / customer
- Analyze historical data and current trends to identify opportunities and risks by location, subclass, customer, and SKU.
- Partner with business to develop and build SKU level plans with supporting investment quantities and accurate flow forecasts.
- Support the business to maintain appropriate stock level according to seasonal requirements.
- Work with Product Managers and Operations to maximize sales and reduce overstocks.
- Monitor impact of inventory adjustments and transfers.
- Analyze root causes of inventory issues and provide resolutions.
- Develop and implement process improvements to achieve company inventory goals.
- Develop and implement initiatives to reduce slow moving inventories and to improve inventory turns.
- Generate and maintain monthly reports on inventory levels.
- Review inventory activities and recommend improvements.
- Assist in inventory risk assessment and mitigation activities.
- Collaborate with production and supporting departments to ensure the food safety and quality of our products.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Account, Supply Chain Management, or similar discipline required.
Experience: 3 years of inventory analysis or supply chain experience within manufacturing organizations required. 5 years of relevant experience in a complex manufacturing environment required. Prior experience with tier 1 ERP system, Oracle, SAP, Microsoft Dynamics 365/AX preferred. Demonstrated experience of strong data and analytics skills, including Excel proficiency and other programs such as Adaptive Planning, PowerBI, Access, and Tableau, Domo and similar tools.
Competencies: Auditing, Available-To-Promise, Data Analysis, Financial Analysis, Forecasting, Inventory Control, Inventory Optimization, Order Inventory, Procurement, Replenishment and Ordering, Inventory Control Software, Warehouse Management Software, Business Acumen, Project Management, Strong Communication and Presentation Skills, Analytical, Teamwork, Detail Oriented, Results and Goal Driven, Analytical, Initiative, Integrity, and Operational Excellence.
Physical Requirements: Requires prolonged sitting and continuous use of computer. May lift, carry, push, or pull objects up to 10 lbs.