Inventory Operative

Insight; Nether Heyford; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Insight is seeking an Inventory Operative to maintain stock accuracy across warehouse processes. You will investigate discrepancies, resolve issues, verify goods-in receipts and perform random checks on picking and packing to ensure accurate stock records and timely corrections.

Key duties include cycle counts, reviewing transaction histories, liaising with goods-in and despatch teams, and maintaining auditable records of actions and outcomes while complying with safety and procedural standards.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in warehouse operations, inventory control or stock checking.
• Strong attention to detail and an organised, methodical approach.
• Ability to investigate discrepancies and follow issues through to resolution.
• Good numeracy, record-keeping and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and prioritise tasks in a busy warehouse.
• Willingness to challenge errors constructively and work with colleagues to improve accuracy.

Responsibilities

• Investigate stock discrepancies, missing stock, incorrect locations, stock shortages and unexpected stock balances.
• Carry out physical stock checks and compare findings against WMS records.
• Review stock movements and transaction history to identify where errors have occurred.
• Resolve issues within approved authority levels and escalate unresolved or recurring problems.
• Record investigation findings and outcomes to provide a clear audit trail.
• Identify common causes of errors and recommend improvements.
• Check goods-in receipts against purchase orders, delivery paperwork and WMS records.
• Verify product codes, quantities, condition and batch/expiry details.
• Investigate shortages, over-deliveries, incorrect products and booking errors.
• Confirm received stock is correctly labelled, recorded and put away in the correct location.
• Liaise with goods-in colleagues and relevant departments to resolve receipt discrepancies.
• Keep affected stock on hold until discrepancies have been resolved and release authorised.
• Carry out random checks on picked orders to confirm correct products and quantities.
• Check packed orders for accuracy, product condition, suitable packaging and correct labels.
• Record errors and arrange corrections before despatch wherever possible.
• Provide timely feedback to team leaders so issues can be addressed with the relevant colleagues.
• Monitor recurring errors and highlight products, locations or processes requiring additional checks.
• Complete scheduled cycle counts, targeted stock checks and recounts.
• Check stock locations for mixed products, incorrect labels, unrecorded stock and damaged items.
• Support investigations into replenishment errors, picking shortages and customer-reported discrepancies.
• Ensure inventory adjustments are supported by evidence and authorised before processing.
• Maintain accurate records of checks, discrepancies and outstanding actions.
• Work closely with goods-in, picking, packing, replenishment and despatch teams to resolve issues promptly.
• Provide clear handovers on open investigations and stock awaiting action.
• Follow warehouse procedures, safe working practices and housekeeping standards.
• Handle stock carefully and report damage, hazards or unsafe practices.
• The Inventory Operative is responsible for identifying, investigating and documenting inventory issues, and correcting them within agreed permissions. Stock adjustments, write-offs and release of held stock must follow the relevant approval process.

Skills

Attention to detail

Stock checking

WMS experience

Numeracy

Record-keeping

Independent working

Identifying discrepancies

Tools

Excel

Handheld scanners

Job description

To maintain stock accuracy and support warehouse quality by investigating stock discrepancies, resolving inventory issues, verifying goods-in receipts, and carrying out random checks across picking and packing. The role helps ensure stock is received, stored, picked and despatched accurately, with clear records of issues and corrective actions.

Inventory investigation and issue resolution

• Investigate stock discrepancies, missing stock, incorrect locations, stock shortages and unexpected stock balances.
• Carry out physical stock checks and compare findings against warehouse management system (WMS) records.
• Review stock movements and transaction history to identify where errors have occurred.
• Resolve issues within agreed authority levels, escalating unresolved or recurring problems to the relevant manager.
• Record investigation findings, actions taken and outcomes to provide a clear audit trail.
• Identify common causes of errors and recommend practical improvements to prevent repeat issues.

Goods-in receipt checks

• Check goods-in receipts against purchase orders, delivery paperwork and WMS records.
• Verify product codes, quantities, condition and, where applicable, batch numbers and expiry dates.
• Investigate shortages, over-deliveries, incorrect products, damaged goods and booking-in errors.
• Confirm received stock is correctly labelled, recorded and put away in the correct location.
• Liaise with goods-in colleagues and relevant departments to resolve receipt discrepancies.
• Keep affected stock on hold where required until discrepancies have been resolved and release authorised.

Random picking and packing checks

• Carry out random checks on picked orders to confirm the correct products and quantities have been selected.
• Check packed orders for accuracy, product condition, suitable packaging and correct labels.
• Record errors and arrange corrections before despatch wherever possible.
• Provide timely feedback to team leaders so issues can be addressed with the relevant colleagues.
• Monitor recurring errors and highlight products, locations or processes requiring additional checks.

Stock accuracy and control

• Complete scheduled cycle counts, targeted stock checks and recounts.
• Check stock locations for mixed products, incorrect labels, unrecorded stock and damaged items.
• Support investigations into replenishment errors, picking shortages and customer-reported discrepancies.
• Ensure inventory adjustments are supported by evidence and authorised before processing.
• Maintain accurate records of checks, discrepancies and outstanding actions.

Communication, standards and safety

• Work closely with goods-in, picking, packing, replenishment and despatch teams to resolve issues promptly.
• Provide clear handovers on open investigations and stock awaiting action.
• Follow warehouse procedures, safe working practices and housekeeping standards.
• Handle stock carefully and report damage, hazards or unsafe practices.

The Inventory Operative is responsible for identifying, investigating and documenting inventory issues, and correcting them within agreed permissions. Stock adjustments, write-offs and release of held stock must follow the relevant approval process.

Previous experience in warehouse operations, inventory control or stock checking.

• Strong attention to detail and an organised, methodical approach.
• Ability to investigate discrepancies and follow issues through to resolution.
• Confidence using a WMS, handheld scanners and basic Excel.
• Good numeracy, record-keeping and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and prioritise tasks in a busy warehouse.
• Willingness to challenge errors constructively and work with colleagues to improve accuracy.

Key performance measures

• Stock accuracy and completion of planned inventory checks.
• Timely investigation and resolution of discrepancies.
• Completion and quality of goods-in, picking and packing checks.
• Accurate investigation records and compliance with adjustment authorisation procedures.
• Reduction in repeat errors and overdue outstanding issues.