Location : Lawrence, MA Department : Procurement Reports To : Director of Procurement Classification : Full-Time, Hourly
Position Summary
The Inventory Control Specialist is responsible for maintaining accurate inventory records of all raw materials, packaging, and finished goods within the facility. This position plays a key role in ensuring inventory accuracy, supporting production planning, and acting as a gatekeeper for all material movement in and out of the plant. The ideal candidate has 3-5 years of experience in inventory control or materials management within a manufacturing environment and is comfortable working across departments to improve processes and data accuracy.
This role will also serve as a key contributor in the implementation and ongoing management of the Fishbowl Inventory system, helping to establish best practices, train team members, and optimize system utilization.
Key Responsibilities
- Maintain accurate inventory levels for all raw materials, packaging, and finished goods through regular cycle counts and reconciliations.
- Investigate and resolve inventory discrepancies, ensuring all adjustments are properly documented and approved.
- Function as the gatekeeper for all material movement in receiving, transfers, consumption, and returns to ensure timely and accurate system updates.
- Support implementation, configuration, and daily operation of the Fishbowl Inventory system; assist with data migration, item setup, and system audits.
- Collaborate with production, purchasing, and finance teams to ensure real-time inventory visibility and accurate costing.
- Partner with warehouse and production leads to develop standardized material handling and labeling procedures.
- Analyze inventory trends and variances; provide reporting and insights to management.
- Maintain cycle count schedules, develop count sheets, and reconcile variances to the ERP / Fishbowl system.
- Ensure compliance with company policies, quality standards, and food safety protocols (e.g., lot tracking, traceability, and FIFO practices).
- Assist in training employees in inventory control processes and proper use of Fishbowl.
- Participate in continuous improvement initiatives aimed at reducing waste, improving accuracy, and streamlining workflows.
Qualifications
3-5 years of experience in inventory control, materials management, or warehouse operations (manufacturing experience strongly preferred).Proficiency with inventory management systems; experience with Fishbowl or similar ERP / WMS software (e.g., NetSuite, SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, Sage, etc.) is a plus.Strong Excel skills and familiarity with data analysis and reporting.Solid understanding of cycle counting, reconciliation, and lot traceability principles.Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams (production, finance, QA, purchasing).Strong attention to detail, organizational, and problem-solving skills.Ability to communicate clearly and professionally at all levels of the organization.Food manufacturing or CPG experience preferred.Physical Requirements
Ability to stand, walk, and move between warehouse and production areas for extended periods.Capable of lifting to 50 lbs occasionally and operating standard warehouse equipment (e.g., pallet jack, scale, scanner).Compensation & Benefits
Competitive pay range depending on experience.Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, company incentive / bonus program, medical, dental, vision, 401(k), and life insurance.Opportunity to be part of a growing company and play a key role in shaping inventory management systems and processes.