Inventory Specialist

Upward Projects; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Upward Projects is seeking an Inventory Specialist in Phoenix, AZ to optimize inventory systems, master data, and reporting for multiple restaurants. This role supports Procurement, Beverage and Culinary teams and ensures accurate item setup and data integrity.

You will lead training on inventory platforms, coordinate with cross-functional teams, and maintain vendor records while improving efficiency and communication across the operation.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; additional education preferred.
• 2+ years experience in inventory systems and operations.
• Proficiency in inventory software platforms and reporting tools preferred.
• Advanced use of Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.
• Strong data-management and reporting skills.
• Familiarity with vendor management and multi-unit operations preferred.
• Ability to interpret inventory and purchasing reports to identify inconsistencies.

Responsibilities

• Manage the inventory system data with accuracy and integrity.
• Maintain F&B master data including descriptions, pack sizes, and pricing.
• Generate inventory and variance reports and escalate trends to leadership.
• Audit pricing, data quality, and purchasing compliance.
• Support rollout and adoption of inventory platforms and tools.
• Coordinate admin support across Procurement, Beverage and Culinary.
• Assist with new item setup, vendor changes, and documentation.
• Prepare recurring department reports and track project timelines.

Skills

Inventory management

Detail orientation

Cross-functional communication

Education

High school diploma; business/hospitality education preferred

Tools

Margin Edge

Crunchtime

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

Description

WHO WE ARE

We are a restaurant group that thrives on creating authentic and inspiring experiences for the communities we serve. Through the contributions of countless incredible people, past and present, we're headed to the moon with a simple mission - to make people feel good. While no one on the team is quite like the other, it's our common values that keep us united.

• Be Authentic and Humble
• Act with Integrity
• Bring Good Energy
• Achieve as a Team
• Get Extraordinary Results
• Inspire with Hospitality

ABOUT THE INVENTORY SPECIALIST

The Inventory Specialist is responsible for the daily management and optimization of inventory systems, Food and Beverage master data, and reporting tools while providing centralized administrative and project support across Procurement, Beverage and Culinary. This role helps ensure accurate inventory tracking and item data, supports restaurant operations, coordinates recurring F&B work streams, and improves communication and follow-through across functional teams. The position requires strong technical proficiency, organization, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, multi-unit restaurant environment.

• On-site
• Non-exempt
• Full-time

TO BE SUCCESSFUL YOU MUST

• Manage and maintain the inventory management system, ensuring accuracy and integrity of data.
• Administer and maintain accurate Food Beverage master data in accordance with approved standards, including item descriptions, pack sizes, units of measure, vendor assignments, pricing, recipe/item mappings, and product status.
• Generate inventory and variance reports and compile purchasing-support reporting to identify trends, exceptions, and follow-up needs; elevate findings to the appropriate Food and Beverage leader.
• Perform periodic pricing, data-quality, and purchasing-compliance audits using established standards; research discrepancies, document findings, and elevate corrective actions to Procurement or Food and Beverage leadership.
• Support rollout, training, and adoption of inventory platforms, reporting tools, and related best practices.
• Provide administrative and project support across Procurement, Beverage and Culinary, helping maintain department systems, documentation, timelines, and recurring workstreams.
• Execute approved new-item setup, product changes, vendor changes, pricing updates, and product discontinuations across F&B systems and documentation.
• Maintain approved order guides, product specifications, vendor/contact records, approved-item documentation, and other shared F&B resources.
• Support menu changes and product launches through timeline management, item setup, documentation, and cross-functional follow-up.
• Maintain supplier, contract, and business-review documentation in partnership with Procurement leadership.
• Coordinate samples, product testing, R&D logistics, and related documentation for Culinary and Beverage initiatives.
• Support new restaurant openings with item setup, inventory systems, ordering documentation, and other F&B administrative needs.
• Prepare recurring department reports.
• Maintain project timelines and task tracking for F&B initiatives, proactively identifying outstanding actions, deadlines, and cross-functional dependencies.
• Coordinate administrative follow-up with Restaurant Operations, Finance, Operation Services, Development/Facilities, and other support teams as needed.
• Communicate clearly and effectively across departments regarding inventory status, project progress, system changes, challenges, and updates.
• Identify and surface opportunities to improve accuracy, efficiency, consistency, and ease of execution across F&B administrative systems and workflows; support implementation of approved process changes.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required; additional education in business, hospitality, supply chain, finance, or a related field preferred.
• 2+ years experience in inventory systems and operations.
• Proficiency in inventory software platforms and reporting tools (e.g., Margin Edge, Crunchtime, or equivalent) preferred
• Advanced use of Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace
• Strong data-management, report-generation, and technical troubleshooting skills.
• Familiarity with vendor management, product setup, purchasing systems, or multi-unit restaurant operations preferred.
• Ability to interpret inventory, pricing, purchasing, and operational reports and identify inconsistencies or follow-up needs.