Job Summary:

The Inventory Control Manager is responsible for the accuracy, integrity, and strategic management of all inventory across Mid-South Food Bank operations. This position oversees inventory controls, cycle count programs, receiving accuracy, inventory reconciliation, system administration, and reporting functions. The Inventory Control Manager works collaboratively with Finance, Food Resource, Transportation, Warehouse Operations, and Agency Services to ensure inventory records accurately reflect product movement, support regulatory compliance, and maximize the availability of food resources. The role ensures effective inventory management practices that support operational efficiency, financial accountability, food safety compliance, and organizational stewardship.

Duties/Responsibilities:

Key Accountabilities

Inventory Accuracy & Control

• Develop, implement, and maintain inventory control programs that ensure accurate inventory records and system integrity.
• Oversee all cycle count activities, inventory audits, physical inventories, and reconciliation processes.
• Investigate inventory variances and coordinate corrective actions with operational departments.
• Monitor inventory transactions to ensure proper receiving, transfers, adjustments, allocations, and distributions are accurately recorded.
• Establish and maintain inventory accuracy benchmarks and performance metrics.
• Ensure all product movement complies with established internal controls and inventory management procedures.

Inventory Strategy & Planning

• Develop and execute inventory management strategies that maximize product utilization, minimize loss, and improve inventory turnover.
• Collaborate with Food Resource Development, Purchasing, and Warehouse Operations to maintain appropriate inventory levels and storage utilization.
• Analyze inventory trends and provide recommendations to improve service levels, inventory accuracy, and operational efficiency.
• Coordinate planned inventory transfers between facilities and storage locations.
• Facilitate inventory allocation strategies to support equitable product distribution among partner agencies and programs.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure inventory management practices comply with Feeding America standards, USDA requirements, food safety regulations, and organizational policies.
• Maintain accurate documentation and audit trails for all inventory transactions.
• Collaborate with Quality Assurance and Warehouse leadership to ensure proper product rotation utilizing FIFO principles.
• Monitor product aging, expiration dates, and inventory conditions to reduce spoilage and shrinkage.
• Support internal and external inventory audits and regulatory inspections.

Systems Administration & Reporting

• Serve as the primary administrator for inventory management functions within NAV/Ceres and related inventory systems.
• Ensure inventory transactions are processed accurately and timely.
• Develop and maintain inventory reports, dashboards, and performance indicators for leadership review.
• Provide routine reporting on inventory accuracy, shrink, product aging, inventory turns, and operational performance.
• Identify opportunities for process automation and continuous improvement within inventory systems.

Leadership & Employee Development

• Direct, coach, develop, and support inventory control personnel and cross-functional team members involved in inventory management processes.
• Foster a culture of accountability, accuracy, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Establish training programs and standard operating procedures related to inventory control and inventory management systems.
• Promote collaboration between receiving, warehouse, transportation, finance, and agency relations departments.
• Lead by example through professional conduct, sound decision-making, and ethical stewardship of organizational resources.

Key Challenges

Internal

• Maintaining inventory accuracy across multiple storage environments, product categories, and distribution channels.
• Balancing inventory control requirements with fast-paced warehouse and distribution operations.
• Managing inventory integrity during periods of significant donation volume fluctuations and disaster response activities.
• Ensuring consistent adherence to inventory procedures across multiple departments.

External

• Managing inventory requirements associated with USDA, Feeding America, retail recovery, and donor compliance programs.
• Responding effectively to inventory disruptions caused by product recalls, food safety events, supply chain issues, or emergency distributions.
• Maintaining accurate inventory accountability while supporting changing community food assistance demands.

Required or Preferred Qualifications:

Core Competencies

• Inventory control and inventory management expertise.
• Data analysis and inventory reporting.
• Process improvement and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Audit preparation and compliance management.
• Root cause analysis and problem solving.
• Organizational planning and resource management.
• Cross-functional collaboration and communication.
• Operational accountability and attention to detail.
• Team leadership and employee development.
• Strategic thinking and decision-making.

Knowledge and Experience

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, Operations Management, or related field preferred.
• Minimum three years of progressive inventory management, supply chain, warehousing, or logistics leadership experience.
• Experience administering inventory management systems and conducting inventory audits.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, inventory reporting tools, and warehouse management software.
• Experience with NAV, Ceres, or related ERP systems preferred.
• Knowledge of inventory forecasting, replenishment, and inventory optimization practices.
• Nonprofit food banking, food distribution, or Feeding America network experience preferred.
• Knowledge of USDA commodity programs, food safety requirements, and inventory compliance standards preferred.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.

Work Environment

The work is performed in both professional office settings and warehouse environments, including cooler and freezer storage areas. Responsibilities require routine interaction with warehouse personnel, transportation staff, finance personnel, donors, partner agencies, auditors, and regulatory representatives. The position may require standing, walking, climbing, lifting materials up to 50 pounds, and conducting inventory audits throughout warehouse facilities. Periodic travel between facilities may be required.

ADA/ADAAA Statement

Mid-South Food Bank is committed to equal opportunity in employment for persons with disabilities and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), as amended, and any other applicable state and federal laws. Accordingly, Mid-South Food Bank does not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities regarding application, hiring, advancement, discharge, compensation, training or other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. Moreover, it is Mid-South Food Bank’s policy to provide reasonable accommodations in employment to qualified individuals with disabilities so that they can perform the essential functions of the job, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of Mid-South Food Bank’s business or would change the essential functions of the position. Retaliation against an individual with a disability to utilize this policy or seeking reasonable accommodation is prohibited. Individuals with any questions or requests for accommodation should contact the Human Resources Department.

Job Description Acknowledgement

All requirements in the job description provided herein indicate the minimum level of knowledge, skills, and/or abilities deemed necessary to perform the job competently. Job descriptions are an overview of the duties, responsibilities, and requirements of the position. Food Bank Employees may be required to perform other job-related assignments as requested.

Upon offer and acceptance of employment, the candidate will indicate their understanding of the requirements, essential functions, and duties of the position by signing a copy of this job description. The Food Bank reserves the right to make appropriate changes in this job description at management’s sole discretion.