INVENTORY & PURCHASING MANAGER - Beverage Alcohol

Maverick Distillery; Oakville; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading spirits company in Ontario is seeking an experienced Inventory & Purchasing Manager. In this role, you will oversee the end-to-end inventory process from forecasting to supplier management, ensuring efficient operations and optimizing purchasing strategies. The ideal candidate has 5–10 years of experience in inventory management or supply chain roles, possesses a strong knowledge of ERP systems, and excels in cross-functional collaboration. A competitive compensation package, including bonus potential, awaits the successful candidate.

Benefits

Competitive compensation

Bonus potential tied to KPIs

Direct access to ownership

Qualifications

• 5–10 years experience in inventory management or supply chain roles within manufacturing.
• Proven experience in inventory planning and purchasing execution.
• Strong knowledge of ERP systems.

Responsibilities

• Forecast and plan materials and inventory requirements based on sales forecasts.
• Own purchasing execution for raw materials and packaging.
• Lead cycle counts and improve inventory turns.

Skills

Inventory management

Purchasing execution

Materials planning

Cross-functional collaboration

ERP systems

Job description

About Maverick Distillery

Maverick Distillery is Ontario’s largest private craft distillery and one of Canada’s fastest-growing independent spirits companies. Since 2009, we’ve built award-winning brands including TAG No.5 Vodka, Barnburner Whisky, Ginslinger Gin, Cargo Rum, and Lunàtico Tequila (launching Q1 2026).

We operate at the intersection of brand, execution, and scale. This is a hands‑on, entrepreneurial environment where results matter, accountability is real, and strong performers grow with the business.

The Opportunity

We are hiring an Inventory & Purchasing Manager to lead, professionalize, and optimize how inventory is planned, purchased, controlled, and deployed across our growing operation.

This is not a clerical inventory role.

You will own inventory and purchasing end‑to‑end—from forecasting and materials planning through supplier management and purchasing execution. You’ll balance service levels, production needs, supplier constraints, and cash efficiency, ensuring the business scales without shortages, excess inventory, or reactive buying.

This role is central to Maverick’s ability to grow profitably and predictably.

Key Responsibilities

Inventory & Materials Planning

• Forecast and plan materials and inventory requirements based on sales forecasts and production plans
• Establish and manage safety stock, reorder points, and inventory targets
• Balance service levels with cash flow, lead times, and production capacity

Purchasing & Supplier Management

• Own purchasing execution for raw materials, packaging, and related supplies
• Issue, manage, and track purchase orders in line with planning assumptions
• Manage supplier lead times, MOQs, pricing, and delivery performance
• Proactively identify supply risks and resolve constraints before they impact production or sales

Inventory Control & Optimization

• Own inventory policies, controls, and ERP discipline
• Lead cycle counts, physical inventories, and variance resolution
• Reduce obsolete, aged, and at-risk inventory
• Improve inventory turns, DIO, and working capital efficiency

Performance, Data & Systems

• Own inventory and purchasing data integrity inside the ERP system
• Build visibility into inventory positions, open POs, risks, and future requirements
• Use data to improve planning accuracy, purchasing discipline, and decision-making

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partner closely with Sales, Production, Finance, and Operations
• Align demand, production schedules, purchasing plans, and inventory availability
• Support new product launches, packaging transitions, and growth initiatives
• Represent inventory and purchasing at the leadership table with clarity and accountability

What We’re Looking For

• 5–10 years experience in inventory management, purchasing, materials planning, or supply chain roles within manufacturing, CPG, or beverage alcohol
• Proven experience owning both inventory planning and purchasing execution
• Strong working knowledge of ERP systems (ownership or super‑user level preferred)
• Commercially minded: understands the trade-offs between inventory, service levels, supplier terms, and cash
• Comfortable working cross-functionally in a fast‑moving, growth environment
• Detail-oriented, disciplined, and proactive—this role rewards operators who think ahead
• Beverage alcohol or regulated manufacturing experience is a strong asset.

What Success Looks Like in 12 Months

• Inventory and purchasing plans are predictable, disciplined, and trusted across the business
• Inventory turns and DIO materially improved
• Fewer shortages, fewer expedites, and reduced excess or obsolete inventory
• Purchasing is proactive, cost-conscious, and aligned to forecasts
• ERP data is accurate, visible, and decision-ready
• Inventory and purchasing are no longer constraints—they are competitive advantages

Why Join Maverick

• Direct access to ownership and real decision‑making authority
• Opportunity to own and shape a mission‑critical function in a fast‑growing spirits company
• Competitive compensation aligned with responsibility and performance
• Bonus potential tied to inventory and purchasing KPIs
• A culture that values initiative, clarity, and results over politics and process