Inventory Controller Job (100k – 120k)

Industry: Manufacturing

Location: Thika,

Gross Salary: 100k – 120k

Our client is a well-established FMCG food manufacturing company operating a high-volume production facility in Kenya. The business specialises in branded biscuit and confectionery products distributed locally and regionally. With a strong focus on quality, food safety, operational efficiency, and continuous improvement, the company operates within strict regulatory and food safety standards and maintains a fast-paced, performance-driven manufacturing environment.

The Inventory Controller is responsible for ensuring accurate, timely control and full visibility of raw materials, packaging, spare parts, work-in-progress, and finished goods inventory within a high-volume biscuit manufacturing operation. The role focuses on maintaining high stock accuracy, minimising stock-outs and obsolescence, enforcing shelf-life and traceability requirements, and supporting production planning, cost control, and regulatory compliance.


Key Responsibilities:

Inventory Management & Controls

  • Maintain accurate perpetual inventory records for raw materials, packaging, WIP, and finished goods using the company ERP/WMS.
  • Implement and enforce FIFO (First-In, First-Out) and FEFO (First-Expiry, First-Out) for all shelf-life–sensitive items, including ingredients, fats, creams, fillings, and finished biscuits.
  • Conduct daily and weekly cycle counts; coordinate and manage monthly and quarterly physical stock takes.
  • Reconcile physical stock against system records, investigate variances, prepare variance reports, and lead root-cause analysis for recurring discrepancies within agreed SLAs.
  • Define, review, and maintain minimum/maximum stock levels, safety stock, and reorder points in collaboration with demand planning and procurement teams.

Receiving, Storage & Issuance

  • Supervise inbound receiving activities by verifying deliveries against purchase orders and quality release documentation.
  • Ensure accurate batch/lot recording, labelling, and system posting upon receipt.
  • Ensure appropriate storage conditions for raw materials and finished goods, including temperature, humidity, pest control, and segregation of quarantined or rejected stock.
  • Authorise and issue materials to production in line with approved consumption procedures.
  • Accurately record scrap, waste, and material losses.

Traceability, Compliance & Food Safety

  • Maintain full batch and lot traceability from raw material receipt through production to finished goods dispatch.
  • Coordinate inventory-related support for product holds, withdrawals, or recalls by providing timely and accurate traceability data.
  • Ensure compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), food safety systems (HACCP / ISO 22000, where applicable), KEBS labelling and packaging regulations, and internal SOPs.

Systems & Reporting

  • Maintain accurate ERP/WMS master data, including item codes, units of measure, pack sizes, shelf life parameters, and storage locations.
  • Prepare and distribute daily, weekly, and monthly inventory reports covering stock position, ageing, obsolescence, shrinkage, and consumption versus plan.
  • Support the Finance team with inventory valuation, month-end cut-offs, audits, and reconciliations.

Continuous Improvement & Cost Control

  • Identify opportunities to reduce inventory carrying costs, minimise waste, and improve material flow through layout optimisation, replenishment systems, or kanban initiatives.
  • Lead or support 5S, lean manufacturing, and waste-reduction initiatives within warehouse and storage areas.
  • Train, coach, and mentor warehouse staff on inventory control procedures, accuracy standards, and good housekeeping practices.

Teamwork & Stakeholder Management

  • Work closely with Procurement, Production Planning, Quality Assurance, Sales, Finance, and Maintenance to ensure material availability and accurate reporting.
  • Supervise or coordinate activities of storekeepers, inventory clerks, and warehouse operatives.
  • Ensure safe use of material handling equipment and compliance with workplace safety standards.

Qualifications & Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, Food Technology, or a related discipline.
  • 3–6 years’ experience in inventory control within an FMCG food manufacturing environment.
  • Hands-on experience using ERP systems (e.g. SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, Odoo, or similar) and strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
  • Knowledge of food safety management systems (HACCP / ISO 22000) and Kenyan regulatory requirements is an added advantage.

Key Skills & Competencies

  • Strong numerical, analytical, and reconciliation skills with high attention to detail.
  • Solid understanding of inventory control methodologies, including FIFO/FEFO, cycle counting, and ABC/XYZ analysis.
  • Excellent organisational skills and ability to prioritise in a fast-paced production environment.
  • Effective communication and cross-functional coordination skills.
  • Strong problem-solving capability with experience leading root-cause investigations.
  • Supervisory and people management skills.
  • Basic knowledge of warehouse equipment, racking systems, and forklift safety.
  • High integrity, accountability, and commitment to food safety and compliance.

How to Apply

If you are up to the challenge and possess the necessary qualifications and experience; please send your CV only quoting the job title on the email subject (Inventory Controller) to vacancies@corporatestaffing.co.ke before 16th January 2026.