Inventory Lead

a2M Career Site; Pokeno; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The a2 Milk Company in Pokeno, New Zealand, is seeking an experienced Inventory Leader to oversee governance, accuracy and optimisation across our supply chain. Reporting to the Logistics Manager, you will lead a small team of two Inventory Controllers and partner with Manufacturing, Quality and Technical teams.

You will drive stock visibility, balance service levels and working capital, implement process improvements, lead ERP/warehouse enhancements, and ensure health, safety, regulatory and

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience in inventory management or related fields.
• Experience leading a team.
• Strong knowledge of stock optimisation and controls.
• Advanced ERP reporting and KPI management.
• Experience with process improvements.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of Inventory Coordinators, setting clear expectations and driving performance.
• Oversee inventory accuracy, governance and stock control across all site storage locations.
• Lead investigations into inventory discrepancies, identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
• Develop inventory optimisation strategies to reduce excess and obsolete stock while maintaining service levels.
• Monitor inventory performance, analyse trends and present reports to senior leadership.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, including ERP and warehouse management system enhancements.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and third-party logistics providers to improve inventory processes.
• Ensure inventory processes meet health, safety, regulatory and audit requirements.

Skills

Inventory management

Team leadership

ERP systems

Data analysis

Stakeholder management

Process improvement

Tools

ERP software

Job description

Our Story:

The a2 Milk Company, driven by science and a pioneering spirit, disrupted the dairy and infant milk formula industry. Our vision is to create an A1-free world where dairy nourishes all people and our planet.

The a2 Milk Company seeks to achieve this through the naturally occurring a2 Milk® difference and by bringing a more sustainable approach to dairy.

The role:

Reporting to the Logistics Manager and based at our Pōkeno manufacturing site, you will lead the inventory function, overseeing inventory governance, accuracy and optimisation across our supply chain operations.

Leading a team of two Inventory Controllers, you'll be responsible for ensuring inventory integrity, improving stock visibility and driving efficient inventory management practices. You'll work closely with teams across Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality and Technical to balance stock availability, service levels and working capital, while identifying opportunities to improve processes and performance.

More specifically, you will be involved in:

• Leading and developing a team of Inventory Coordinators, setting clear expectations and driving team performance.
• Overseeing inventory accuracy, governance and stock control across all site storage locations.
• Leading investigations into inventory discrepancies, identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions.
• Developing inventory optimisation strategies to reduce excess and obsolete stock while maintaining service levels.
• Monitoring inventory performance, analysing trends and preparing reports and recommendations for senior leadership.
• Driving continuous improvement initiatives, including ERP and warehouse management system enhancements.
• Working with internal stakeholders and third-party logistics providers to improve inventory processes and supply chain performance.
• Ensuring inventory processes meet relevant health, safety, regulatory and audit requirements.

What you will bring:

• At least 5 years' experience in inventory management, supply chain, warehousing or logistics.
• Proven experience leading a team, with the ability to coach, develop and manage performance.
• Strong knowledge of inventory management, stock optimisation and inventory control processes.
• Advanced ERP system capability, with strong reporting, data analysis and inventory KPI management skills.
• Experience leading process improvement initiatives and implementing more efficient ways of working.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across different business functions.
• A strategic and analytical mindset, with the ability to identify risks, solve problems and turn data into practical business improvements.