Inventory Control & Supply Chain Process Manager

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Inventory Control & Supply Chain Process Manager owns both the daily execution of inventory control and the design of the processes that govern how material moves through ALULA — from inbound receipt, through staging and work ticket execution, to finished goods and outbound shipment. This is a working manager role, responsible for supervising the inventory team and accountable for count accuracy and lot integrity, assessing current practice against best practice, authoring and maintaining SOPs, training staff, and sustaining compliance.

Success in this role directly supports ALULA's inventory accuracy, FEFO compliance, lot traceability, SQF/FSMA regulatory posture, and ERP (Sage) data integrity across the supply chain.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Process thinking: sees work as systems and sequences. Identifies where handoffs break down and where standards are missing

• Strong written communication: writes SOPs clear enough for a new employee to follow without additional coaching

• Operational credibility: understands the pace and constraints of the floor and earns trust from warehouse and production teams

• Attention to detail: treats data accuracy as non-negotiable

• Effective communication with team members, supervisors, vendors, and others across the organization

• Coaching and development: builds capability in others, including in a supported employment workforce

• Accountability: owns outcomes, not just activities — follows through until a process is adopted, not just documented

• Demonstrates an unwavering commitment to mission and values

• Embraces change

• Problem solver. Understands problems and addresses them at the source

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Inventory Control Operations

• Manage all aspects of inventory control for all ingredients and components from time of entry at facility to time of departure from facility

• Supervise, train, and develop the Inventory Control team, including on Sage functionality

• Maintain accurate raw material, WIP, and finished goods counts through a regular cycle count program, quarterly physical inventories, and the Physical End of Year Inventory process

• Investigate variances to root cause and implement Corrective and Preventative Actions; report significant discrepancies to the Supply Chain Manager, Plant Director, Purchasing, Accounting, and Warehouse Manager

• Assign and manage lot codes; ensure supplier lot and expiration information is recorded accurately at time of receipt

• Enforce FEFO rotation (FIFO secondary when expiration dates are equal); monitor quarantined and near-expiry inventory and drive timely disposition with QA, Safety, and Operations

• Assign and maintain store/bin locations; ensure inventory is properly stored, identified, and staged for upcoming runs

• Comply with all company policies and procedures including GMPs, SOPs, and safety requirements

Process Ownership & SOP Development

• Own the end-to-end inventory and material-flow process framework: how material currently moves through the operation versus how it should move

• Audit existing SOPs for currency, accuracy, completeness, and adherence; prioritize gaps by risk, regulatory exposure, and operational impact

• Author and revise SOPs in a consistent format meeting SQF documentation standards, with version control, effective dates, and owner attribution

• Conduct minimum annual SOP reviews and revise in response to process changes, system updates, or audit findings

• Benchmark ALULA's procedures against best practices for dry blend co-packing and food-grade manufacturing, and drive continuous improvement projects to completion

Material Flow: Receiving Through Shipment

• Own the inbound receiving process: PO matching, CoA review and retention, FSMA-compliant supplier verification, catch weight handling, condition inspection, and lot assignment at receipt

• Define handling of non-conforming receipts and quarantine protocols: rejection, hold tagging, segregation, supplier notification, and disposition

• Own storage and slotting standards: allergen segregation, temperature-sensitive storage, pallet labeling and tagging, and min/max indicators that flag replenishment needs to Planning and Purchasing

• Own material staging and transfer to production: work ticket-triggered pull, FEFO lot selection, BOM quantity verification, handoff sign-off, and handling of partials, remnants, and expedited pulls

• Own the work ticket lifecycle: BOM verification, pre-run material confirmation, usage recording, closure and variance documentation, and resolution of open or aging tickets

• Own finished goods receipt into inventory: label verification, ERP goods receipt, FEFO slotting, quality hold workflow, and lot genealogy linking finished goods back to input material lots

• Support outbound fulfillment: lot and expiration selection against customer shelf life requirements, BOL reconciliation to the ERP shipment, and CoA/certificate of conformance packages where required by contract (e.g., USDA/FAS food aid)

ERP & Data Integrity

• Own SOPs for all inventory transactions in Sage: goods receipts, transfers, adjustments and write-offs with approval workflows, UOM conversions, and item cost corrections

• Set and enforce transaction timeliness standards (receipts entered same day; production transactions closed within 24 hours of run completion)

• Establish role-based access and segregation of duties for inventory transactions

• Maintain inventory-related item master settings: UOM, lot flags, shelf life, and reorder points

• Partner with Finance on inventory valuation accuracy, variance reporting, and cost corrections

Regulatory Compliance & Food Safety

• Ensure all inventory and material-flow SOPs align with the SQF Code (current edition), FSMA Preventive Controls for Human Food, USDA/FAS food aid contract requirements, and ALULA's Food Safety Plan

• Maintain the mock recall SOP and ensure traceability supports a complete forward and backward trace within the timeframe required by SQF and customer contracts

• Document allergen controls within inventory management: lot-level identity preservation, physical segregation, and cross-contact risk

• Support internal and third-party audits by maintaining SOP documentation packages and ensuring staff can demonstrate compliance

• Handle vendor and customer communication as it relates to inventory, particularly disposition

Training, Communication & Change Management

• Develop training materials — quick-reference guides, visual job aids, and competency checks — appropriate to a supported employment workforce

• Train inventory and production associates on SOPs and on why accurate inventory matters; re-train on SOP revisions, audit findings, and personnel changes

• Serve as subject matter expert for inventory and material-flow process questions from production, warehouse, quality, and finance

• Communicate SOP changes, count schedules, and compliance requirements to affected teams in advance

MEASURES FOR SUCCESS:

Performance in this role is evaluated across the following areas. Specific KPI targets, measurement methods, and reporting cadence will be established with the Supply Chain Manager and reviewed annually.

• Inventory accuracy — record accuracy at the SKU/lot level and variance control on cycle counts and physical inventories

• Count program execution — scheduled counts completed on time, with variances investigated to root cause and closed

• Traceability & audit readiness — forward and backward lot trace within required timeframes; no repeat findings in SQF, customer, or regulatory audits

• Shelf life & disposition control — near-expiry and quarantined material identified and dispositioned before it becomes a loss or a compliance issue

• Process coverage & adherence — inventory and material-flow processes governed by current, approved SOPs that staff actually follow

• ERP data integrity — transaction timeliness and accuracy in Sage, including work ticket closure

• Team capability — inventory team trained, cross-trained, and able to execute independently

• Continuous improvement — measurable process improvements delivered and sustained, not just documented

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate or Bachelor's Degree preferred, or 5 years' experience in inventory control; 3 years in a food manufacturing or co-packing environment, with prior supervisory experience preferred

• Demonstrated experience writing SOPs, work instructions, or procedural documentation

• Working knowledge of FEFO/FIFO rotation and lot traceability requirements

• Familiarity with SQF, FSMA Preventive Controls, or equivalent food safety frameworks; SQF Practitioner certification or Internal Auditor training preferred

• Hands-on ERP experience with inventory modules; Sage preferred

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel for cycle count and variance analysis; Word for SOP authoring)

• Experience in dry blend, powder, or ingredient processing preferred; experience in an AbilityOne, supported employment, or inclusive manufacturing environment preferred

• Fork truck license/experience preferred; fork truck training and license obtained within first 90 days

• Ability to lift and carry 50 pounds, work at heights above ground level, perform functions that require manual dexterity, ability to read, write, and possess basic math skills, comprehension of weights and weight calculations, percentages, number sequences, and distinguish between color codes

• Ability to stand for an entire shift, lift, twist, bend, stoop, and push; use of required PPE in an active manufacturing and warehouse environment

This job description outlines the essential requirements for job fulfillment; however, it is not intended to be all inclusive. The employee in this position may be called upon to perform other duties and may need to be flexible concerning hours available to work. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ALULA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

ALULA complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and local laws providing for nondiscrimination in employment. We also provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.