Materials and Inventory Manager

Baxters North America; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Baxters North America is seeking an experienced Inventory Leadership role to own planning and policy development for inventory, drive safety stock strategy, and lead the Buyer team. You will establish governance and metrics to move from transactional purchasing to strategic materials management, with focus on aging, obsolescence, and risk management.

The role requires strong leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and a track record in supply chain optimization within a food manufacturing

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 5-10 years of experience in Supply Chain and Cost Accounting, food manufacturing preferred.
• 1-3 years of supervisory/management experience required.

Responsibilities

• Maintain inventory dashboards to visualize aging, finished goods, raw materials, and obsolescence.
• Establish and monitor cycle counting processes with predefined frequencies.
• Investigate inventory inconsistencies with plants to resolve issues.
• Collaborate with procurement, warehouse, and management to manage obsolete materials.
• Develop inventory and vendor improvement strategies for Baxters North America (BNA).
• Maintain documentation and records for inventory reporting.
• Create inventory KPIs with cross-functional teams (cycle counts, days on hand, obsolescence).
• Develop short- and long-term material supply plans.
• Escalate constraints before production or customer impact occurs.
• Monitor supplier delivery performance and implement recovery plans.
• Recruit and train inventory support staff as needed.
• Oversee buyers and cycle counters.
• Collaborate with production to ensure food safety and quality.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Cycle Counting

Operations Management

Inventory Control Software

Data Collection

Inventory Management

Material Management

Planning Strategy

ERP systems

Communication

Teamwork

Leadership

Attention to Detail

Results Driven

Analytical

Initiative

Integrity

Operational Excellence

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Scope of Job:

This role owns inventory planning, inventory policy development, safety stock strategy, material risk management, inventory reporting, expiration management, and disposition of excess and obsolete inventory. The position provides leadership to the Buyer team and establishes the processes, metrics, and governance required to transition from transactional purchasing to strategic materials management. Buyers and Cycle Counters report into this position.

This role requires independent actions through leadership and influencing skills to facilitate change and align cohesive strategies, processes, and execution elements to ensure all functional areas adhere to the policies.

Essential Job Functions And Responsibilities

• Works closely with site-based fulfilment teams maintaining inventory dashboards that create visibility to inventory aging for finished goods, raw materials, and obsolescence in line with pre-determined inventory level goals.
• Create, monitor, and improve rigorous cycle counting processes that supports the overall inventory management strategy through pre-determined count frequencies based on cost and or use of materials.
• Directs investigation into any inventory inconsistencies working with each plant to effectively resolve them.
• Work with procurement, business development, warehouse, and upper management to ensure that all obsolete materials are returned or destroyed in a timely manner.
• Investigate, recommend, and implement inventory and vendor improvement strategies for BNA.
• Maintain all required documentation and records which are required for inventory reporting.
• Work with Business Development, Finance, Procurement, and site management to create inventory KPI’s that may include cycle count goals, days on hand for finished goods, raw materials, and obsolescence.
• Develop and maintain short term and long-term material supply plans
• Drive proactive escalation of constraints before production or customer impact occurs
• Monitor supplier delivery performance and manage supplier recovery plans when commitments are at risk
• Manage the recruitment and training of any new inventory support staff.
• Oversee a team of buyer(s) and cycle counter(s)
• Collaborate with production and supporting departments to ensure the food safety and quality of our products.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education:

Bachelor’s degree required

Experience:

5-10 years of experience in Supply Chain and Cost Accounting, food manufacturing preferred. 1-3 years of supervisory/management experience required. Proven extensive knowledge of the function and department processes.

Competencies:

Cycle Counting, Operations Management, Inventory Control Software, Data Collection, Inventory Management, Material Management, Planning Strategy, ERP systems, Strong Communication Skills, Teamwork, Leadership, Detail Oriented, Results and Goal Driven, Analytical, Initiative, Integrity, and Operational Excellence.

Physical Requirements:

Requires prolonged sitting and continuous use of computer. May lift, carry, push, or pull objects up to 10 lbs.