Inventory and Systems Leader

Hilton Food Group; Brantford; Hybrid; CAD 54,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

HiltonFoods Canada is seeking an Inventory & Systems Lead to own end-to-end inventory accuracy, warehouse systems performance and automation reliability in a highly automated production environment.

You will bridge inventory control, system governance and on-floor execution, driving improved data integrity, system discipline and continuous improvement across the site.

Qualifications

• 3+ years’ experience in leading inventory operations within warehouse, manufacturing, or food production
• Strong knowledge of inventory control processes including cycle counts, reconciliations, discrepancy investigations and root cause analysis
• Experience with warehouse automation and ERP systems
• Ability to interpret system logs, alarms and diagnostic data
• Excellent communication, coordination and leadership skills
• Team-oriented, adaptable and able to perform under pressure

Responsibilities

• Own inventory accuracy across stock types and systems
• Lead cycle counts, reconciliations, adjustments and investigations of discrepancies
• Ensure proper stock rotation, expiry management and traceability
• Minimise shrink, write-offs and obsolescence through robust controls
• Maintain accuracy during peak demand and system changes
• Govern warehouse IT and automation systems (ERP, WCS) and interfaces
• Support incident triage, diagnostics and resolution with IT and engineering
• Document incidents, RCA findings and system performance trends
• Train and coach team for system responsibility and inventory discipline
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimise operations

Skills

Inventory control

Team leadership

Root cause analysis

System diagnostics

Communication

ERP systems

WCS

COordination

Tools

ERP systems

WCS

Automation interfaces

Job description

Job Title: Inventory & Systems Lead

Salary Range: CAD$54,000 – CAD$68,250

Working Type: On-Site

PURPOSE OF ROLE

The Inventory & Systems Leaderowns end-to-end inventory accuracy, warehouse systems performance, andautomation reliability within an automated food production environment. Therole ensures alignment between physical inventory and system records, stableand effective use of warehouse and material handling systems (e.g., WCS andERP), and uninterrupted operational flow. This role acts as the singleoperational authority bridging inventory control, system governance, andon-floor execution, driving strong team performance, system discipline, andcontinuous improvement.

KEYACCOUNTABILITIES

InventoryControl & Accuracy

• Hold fullaccountability for inventory accuracy across all stock types and systems
• Lead cycle counts,reconciliations, adjustments, and investigations of inventorydiscrepancies
• Ensure proper stockrotation (FEFO), expiry management, and traceability
• Minimize shrink,write-offs, and obsolescence through robust controls and root causeanalysis
• Maintain inventoryaccuracy during peak demand, system changes, and operational disruptions
• Understand andconsider inventory valuation, write-offs, and working capital impacts whenmanaging inventory accuracy and corrective actions.

SystemsOwnership & Governance

• Own the performance,governance, stability and effective operational use of warehouse IT andautomation systems, including ERP, WCS and associated system interfaces.
• Act as the operationalsystem subject matter expert, supporting issue triage, detaileddiagnostics, root cause analysis and resolution of recurring systemfaults.
• Review system logs,alarms, event histories, transactions and other diagnostic information toidentify failure points and support fault investigation.
• Establish and maintainsystem monitoring and diagnostic routines, using system and performancedata to identify emerging and recurring issues.
• Ensure accurate,real-time transactions and data integrity across inventory and automationsystems.
• Monitor operationalsystem usage and identify behaviours, process gaps or recurring failuresthat negatively affect system performance.
• Maintain clear recordsof system incidents, known problems, RCA findings, corrective actions andsystem performance trends.
• Act as the principaloperational and technical interface with IT, engineering, supplier helpdesks and automation vendors during incidents and technicalinvestigations.
• Raise and managesystem incident and problem tickets, providing appropriate logs, evidenceand operational context, and following actions through to resolution.
• Support systemchanges, fixes, upgrades and deployments through impact assessment,testing, validation and operational feedback.
• Validate technicalSOPs, recovery procedures and system operating practices, ensuring lessonsfrom incidents and system changes are embedded into operational processesand key-user training.
• Ensure appropriatesystem access controls, user discipline and data governance standards aremaintained in line with site and corporate requirements.
• Support major systemincidents, including investigation, recovery, documentation andpost-incident review.
• Use incident trends,operational observations and system data to identify improvementopportunities and reduce recurring failures.
• Support servicereviews with system and automation vendors, providing evidence onreliability, recurring faults, responsiveness and service levels.

TeamLeadership & Capability Development

• Lead, coach, anddevelop the inventory and systems team and other operational teams whererequired.
• Set clearexpectations, drive accountability, and monitor performance, productivity,and accuracy
• Ensure trainingcompletion and system competency across the team and key operational users
• Lead teams effectivelythrough periods of change, disruption, and peak operational demand

Operational& Cross-Functional Coordination

• Partner with inbound,outbound, and production teams to ensure smooth operational flow
• Minimize operationaldisruptions linked to system issues
• Support production,shipping, and customer service through accurate inventory and reliablesystems

ProcessImprovement & Capability Building

• Drive continuousimprovement using system data and operational insights
• Identify gaps ininventory and system processes and lead sustainable improvements
• Develop, validate, andmaintain SOPs related to inventory and system use
• Train and coach keyusers to build strong system and inventory capability across the operation

Safety,Quality & Compliance

• Ensure inventory andsystem operations comply with food safety, quality, and regulatoryrequirements
• Support audits,investigations, and corrective actions related to inventory accuracy,traceability, or system integrity
• Maintain auditreadiness and accurate documentation at all times
• Support product holds, quarantines, recalls, andescalations in line with site procedures

KEY EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS ANDWORKING CONDITIONS

Essential

• 3+ years’ experience in leading inventory operations within warehouse, manufacturing, or food production environments
• Strong knowledge of inventory control processes including cycle counts, reconciliations, discrepancy investigation, and root cause analysis
• Experience with warehouse automation and a strong understanding of automation and ERP systems, with a focus on inventory transactions, data integrity, and system diagnostics
• Ability to understand and interpret technical specifications, interface definitions and communication protocols.
• Ability to extract, read and interpret system logs, event histories, alarms and diagnostic data.
• Ability to diagnose system and interface issues using available technical information, system data and structured problem-solving techniques.
• Experience supporting or leading system issue resolution, including coordination with IT, engineering, and automation teams
• Strong communication, coordination, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Team-oriented, accountable, adaptable, and calm under pressure
• Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and analytical skills, with the ability to translate system data into operational action
• Demonstrated team leadership skills, including coaching, accountability, and performance management
• Working knowledge of food safety, quality, and regulatory requirements as they relate to inventory, traceability, and warehouse systems
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage competing operational priorities
• Experience leading teams during system outages, production pressure, or operational disruption
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Manager.
• Ability to analyze and interpret inventory and system performance data, trends, and KPIs to proactively identify risks and improvement opportunities.

Desirable

• Experience with warehouse automated systems or other robotic/material-handling systems
• Exposure to system upgrades, automation projects, or major system/process changes
• Experience supporting inventory audits and continuous improvement initiatives
• Familiarity with lean or continuous improvement methodologies in warehouse or manufacturing environment

WorkingConditions

• Temperature-controlled work environment maintained between 0–2°C
• Moderate noise levels due to automated equipment
• Ability and willingness to wear mandatory personal protective equipment (PPE), including hearing protection and cold-environment PPE
• Ability to work across warehouse, crate wash, production, and system support areas, including on-floor presence
• Flexibility to support operations during system outages, peak demand, or operational disruptions

WOULDSUIT SOMEONE WHO IS…

• Highly collaborative and able to work effectively across operations, inventory, systems, and production teams
• Able to build and maintain strong working relationships internally and externally
• Enjoys variation of tasks within their work and operating in a fast-paced, automated environment
• Adept at providing well-balanced challenge and support to team members on the floor
• Comfortable balancing operational priorities with system accuracy and inventory control requirements
• Comfortable working with ambiguity, system-driven decision-making, and conflicting priorities
• Acts as a role model for food safety, safety, and operational excellence
• Demonstrates company values through collaboration, accountability, adaptability, and continuous improvement
• Calm and effective under pressure and during operational disruption
• Willing to be hands-on and visibly present in operational environments
• Confident in influencing cross-functional stakeholders, resolving conflicts between
• §operational priorities, and making decisions under ambiguity

HiltonFoods Canada is committed to building a culture of diversity and inclusion and are committed to providing equal opportunities to all employees. At HiltonFoods Canada, we welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. If you require an accommodation during the recruitment process, please advise the HR representative. All requests for an accommodation and the accommodation measures will be handled in a confidential manner at all times.