Stock Controller

Pets Choice Ltd; Blackburn; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Pets Choice Ltd in Blackburn is seeking a Stock Controller to maintain accurate inventory across Finished Goods and Raw Materials, ensuring availability for production and customer service. You will monitor stock movements, reconcile discrepancies and support ERP data integrity.

Working with Procurement, Planning, Production and Warehouse teams, you will provide regular stock reporting, analyse trends and contribute to continuous improvement of stock control processes.

Qualifications

• Experience in FMCG procurement or related industries.
• Strong numerical and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.
• Full UK Driving Licence.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems.
• CIPS qualification or working towards CIPS.

Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate stock records across Finished Goods and Raw Material inventory.
• Monitor stock levels vs forecast and flag shortages or excess.
• Investigate discrepancies and implement corrective actions.
• Reconcile stock with ERP/MRP system records.
• Produce regular stock reports and KPIs.
• Support production scheduling and material availability.
• Collaborate with Purchasing, Production, Warehouse and Supply Chain teams.
• Assist with stock reviews, cycles counts and audits.

Skills

Stock control

Analytical thinking

Supplier negotiation

Stakeholder management

Understanding of supply chain

Driving Licence

Food/pet industry knowledge

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Excel

ERP software

Job description

The Stock Controller is responsible for maintaining accurate inventory records and ensuring optimal stock availability across raw materials and finished goods. The role plays a critical part in supporting production, customer service and operational efficiency by managing stock integrity, investigating discrepancies, and ensuring inventory levels align with business requirements.

Working closely with Procurement, Planning, Production, Warehouse, Finance and Customer Service teams, the Stock Controller will monitor stock movements, support inventory optimisation initiatives and provide accurate reporting to enable effective decision-making.

Main Responsibilities

Inventory Management

• Maintain accurate stock records across Finished Goods and Raw Material inventory categories.
• Monitor stock levels vs forecast and highlight potential shortages, excess stock or slow-moving inventory.
• Ensure inventory is managed in line with agreed stock holding and working capital targets.
• Support stock optimisation activities to balance service levels and inventory investment.
• Monitor shelf-life controlled materials and products to minimise waste and obsolescence.
• Assist with production material availability and service continuity.

Stock Accuracy & Control

• Investigate stock discrepancies and implement corrective actions.
• Manage stock adjustments in accordance with company procedures.
• Conduct regular cycle counts and support periodic stock takes.
• Reconcile physical stock against system inventory records.
• Identify root causes of inventory variances and recommend process improvements.
• Support internal and external audit requirements relating to inventory management.

Reporting & Analysis

• Produce regular periodic stock reports.
• Monitor inventory KPIs including stock accuracy, stock turns, aged inventory and write-offs.
• Analyse inventory trends and identify opportunities to improve stock performance.
• Provide reporting and insight to support operational and financial decision-making.
• Maintain accurate inventory master data within ERP and warehouse management systems.
• Work closely with Purchasing, Production, Warehouse and Supply Chain teams to ensure accurate stock receipts, movements and dispatches to meet requirements.
• Support production scheduling by ensuring material availability is visible and accurately reported.
• Assist with management of product launches, delists and inventory transitions.
• Communicate stock-related risks and issues to relevant stakeholders in a timely manner.
• Interact with Technical to ensure supplier compliance.
• Identify opportunities to improve stock control processes and inventory accuracy.
• Support the implementation of inventory management best practices.
• Contribute to operational improvement projects aimed at reducing waste and improving efficiency.
• Assist in the development and maintenance of stock control procedures and work instructions.

Skills, Experience and Qualifications required

• Previous buying or procurement experience within FMCG, food manufacturing or related industries.
• Experience negotiating with suppliers and managing commercial agreements.
• Strong analytical and numerical skills.
• Excellent negotiation and influencing capability.
• Understanding of supply chain and inventory management principles.
• Experience working with ERP/MRP systems.
• Advanced Excel skills.
• Ability to analyse commodity and market data.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Full UK Driving Licence.
• Experience purchasing agricultural commodities, proteins, oils or food ingredients.
• Food, pet food or animal feed industry experience.
• CIPS qualification or working towards CIPS.
• Understanding of commodity markets and hedging principles.
• Knowledge of food safety and supplier audit requirements.