Inventory Manager

Job Description,

The Inventory Manager is responsible for overseeing two maintenance stores across the factory, as well as a packaging material (“bag”) store and a PPE store. This includes managing maintenance spares and packaging material/bags, leading a team of supervisors, store personnel, and a quality controller, while ensuring strict compliance with operational, safety, and legal standards. The role requires daily coordination of stock activities, maintaining inventory accuracy, managing team performance, and delivering timely reporting. Beyond operational oversight, the Inventory Manager provides strategic leadership in stock planning, ERP data integrity, and financial control, ensuring that inventory operations are efficient, cost-effective, and aligned with overall business objectives. Continuous process improvement and proactive risk management are central to the role, driving long-term sustainability and operational excellence.

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Overview,

The Inventory Manager is responsible for overseeing two maintenance stores across the factory, as well as a packaging material (“bag”) store and a PPE store. This includes managing maintenance spares and packaging material/bags, leading a team of supervisors, store personnel, and a quality controller, while ensuring strict compliance with operational, safety, and legal standards. The role requires daily coordination of stock activities, maintaining inventory accuracy, managing team performance, and delivering timely reporting. Beyond operational oversight, the Inventory Manager provides strategic leadership in stock planning, ERP data integrity, and financial control, ensuring that inventory operations are efficient, cost-effective, and aligned with overall business objectives. Continuous process improvement and proactive risk management are central to the role, driving long-term sustainability and operational excellence.

, Qualifications,

• Degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, or related field

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Experience,

• 5 – 10 Years’ experience in a Chemical Industry
• Experience in warehouse or inventory management
• Planning/Forecasting, interpretation of data
• Knowledge or certification? of ISO standards, OHSACT, and SHERQ standards
• Experience with ERP systems such as Microsoft D365
• High level Proficiency in Excel and data analysis tools

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Duties,

Store and Inventory Management

• Oversee daily operations: receipts, issues, returns, and planned orders
• Maintain accurate stock records systems and processes and conduct biannual counts
• Investigate and resolve stock variances promptly
• Monitor stock levels to prevent shortages
• Ensure quality and traceability of spare parts
• Optimize warehouse layout and space utilization
• Responsible for the bag store, ensuring effective control and timely supply of bags
• Manage bag store operations to ensure timely supply of bags
• Ensure all stock parts and bags have correct reorder levels and are ordered/receipted timeously
• Balance overstocking vs. understocking risks and monitor slow movement items and reporting of that,
• Compile monthly progress and measurement reports on department performance and KPI and as well business reviews
• Organize and manage four full stock takes annually –MRO spares is twice a year, and monthly for the bag store
• Implement inventory best practices to reduce waste and improve efficiency

Compliance and Safety

• Ensure compliance with ISO 9001/180001/45001, OHSACT, and SHERQ standards
• Oversee that regular warehouse inspections are conducted
• Ensure compliance to safe stacking and storage regulations and procedures
• Manage gas cylinder monthly audits, rental costs records and approvals
• Maintain material certificates and safety data sheets
• Ensure impeccable housekeeping standards in all storage areas
• Promote a culture of safety awareness and continuous compliance

Financial Control

• Monitor departmental expenses and ensure alignment with budget
• Review monthly expense reports and resolve discrepancies
• Ensure delivery and handling cost are added to MRO stock
• Assist with accounts payable queries
• Prepare annual budget forecasts

Team Management

• Lead and support supervisors, store workers, and quality controller
• Monitor team and individual performance indicators
• Manage standby schedules, timesheets, and short time
• Conduct weekly team meetings including safety meeting
• Oversee training programs and maintain training records
• Conduct employee development discussions
• Collaborate with internal training teams to develop new material
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous learning
• Drive succession planning and talent development initiatives

Reporting and Planning

• Attend daily management and monthly business review meetings
• Prepare reports on stock value, obsolete items, slow-moving items, and repairable stock
• Review and approve daily stock planning and usage, and plan around peak periods such holiday breaks and shutdowns
• Monitor and adjust inventory based on operational needs
• Provide management with insights on trends, risks, and opportunities
• Develop long-term inventory strategies aligned with business growth

System and Process Management

• Maintain and improve item specifications and categorization
• Manage data integrity within Microsoft D365
• Oversee the update procedures and work instructions
• Improve purchase order processes and stock transfer workflows

Sustainability & Stakeholder Collaboration

• Implement environmentally responsible practices in stock handling and storage
• Reduce packaging waste and promote recycling initiatives
• Collaborate with procurement, production, and quality teams to align inventory with operational needs
• Support corporate sustainability goals through efficient resource management

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Job Competencies,

• Leadership and team coordination
• Problem-solving and decision-making
• Record keeping and compliance monitoring
• Communication and reporting
• Task and time management
• High work ethic
• Hands-on management style and visible in areas of responsibility
• Customer-focused

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General