Inventory Controller - Thabazimbi

Phoenix Recruitment; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Luxury 5* Game Lodge near Thabazimbi is seeking an Inventory Controller to govern end-to-end stock across Beverage, Retail, Spa, Medical, and Stationery. You will ensure data integrity, audit readiness, and compliance with SOPs, reports, and group standards.

The role requires 2–4 years in hospitality inventory, strong analytical skills, and experience with inventory systems. You will work under the Finance & Group Inventory Manager to maintain accuracy and support audits.

Qualifications

• Grade 12 plus a formal qualification in inventory, supply chain, or hospitality operations.
• Minimum 2–4 years’ hospitality inventory or multi‑department stock management experience.
• Strong analytical and numerical ability required.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily stock movements across all departments and ensure SOP compliance.
• Verify transactions (POs, GRNs, transfers, wastage, credits, issues) and maintain data accuracy.
• Lead cycle counts and month‑end stock reconciliations; prepare variance explanations.
• Maintain inventory master data and ensure expiry control, FIFO, and correct pricing.

Skills

Analytical skills

Numerical ability

Supervisory skills

Hospitality ops knowledge

Education

Grade 12

Formal qualification in supply chain/inventory

Tools

MyStock/MyInventory

TallOrder/POS systems

Job description

Luxury 5* Game Lodge based close to Thabazimbi is looking for an Inventory Controller.

The Inventory Controller manages, controls, and maintains accurate and compliant end-to-end inventory processes across the property. This role ensures integrity over stock movement, consumption, valuation, wastage, variances, internal controls, and month-end reporting.

The position covers all stock-holding departments, including

Beverage

• Galleries & Creative Lab (Retail, Art, Curated Product)
• Spa (Retail & Professional Products)
• Medication & First Aid Stock
• Stationery (Branded Collateral & Other)

The Inventory Controller is the custodian of inventory accuracy at property level and ensures that all data fed to the Financial Manager and Support Office is complete, accurate, and audit ready.

Duties

Inventory Governance & Daily Controls

Oversee all daily stock movements across all departments.

Ensure full SOP compliance at all times.

Verify all transactions captured by the Inventory Administrator, including:

• Purchase Orders
• GRNs
• Transfers (Internal & External)
• Wastage /Write Off
• Credit
• Issues / Consumption
• Master Data Updates
• Reject and correct inaccuracies before daily cut-off.
• Ensure item categorisation (UOM, Cost, VAT rules) aligns with Group standards.

Sales vs Consumption Reconciliation (High-Risk Areas)

Reconcile POS sales vs inventory depletion for:

• Gallery & Creative Lab Retail

Validate recipe-linked items for correct depletion (cocktails, pouring).Investigate all consumption discrepancies same-day.Enforce "no replenishment without reconciliation" per SOP.

Transfers, Issues, Wastage & Credit Management

Verify all transfers include:

Correct documentation

• Signatures
• Matched values

Ensure all departmental issues are supported by usage sheets. Validate all wastage entries and ensure proper authorisation. Confirm supplier credits are correctly raised and reconciled.

Purchase Order Controls & Budget Alignment

Validate purchasing requests against: Department budgets.

Approved PAR levels.

Min/Max or ROP settings.

Confirm all POs use correct item codes, UOM, supplier, price, and delivery details.

Notify Group Inventory Manager of unusual changes or irregularities.

Receiving, Storage & Storeroom Integrity (via Storeman)

Oversight of:

• GRN accuracy and 3-way matching (PO, Delivery Note, Invoice)
• FIFO rotation & expiry control
• Storeroom access control & key registers
• Weekly storeroom housekeeping & safety audits

Note: The Storeman executes physical tasks; the Inventory Controller verifies compliance.

Cycle Counts & Full Stock Counts

Lead mid-month and month-end counts. Ensure blind counts for high-risk items (Beverage, Food, Gallery Retail & Housekeeping Amenities & Cleaning). Investigate variances using movement logs, POS data, GRNs, and usage patterns. Ensure all variances are fully explained and approved.

Month-End Process & Reporting

Manage Month End Process for all inventory locations in co-operation with all HOD's.

• Opening & closing balances
• Purchases
• Issues & transfers
• Wastage
• Variance reports
• Count sheets

Compile an Inventory Workbook. Obtain final sign-off from Finance & the Group Inventory Manager.

Master Data, Pricing & System Integrity

Maintain accurate item master data in MyStock / MyInventory / Sage Inventory

Submit item creation/change requests via approved workflow.

Ensure selling prices comply with margin policy.

Risk, Compliance & Audit Controls

Maintain separation of duties across request, capture, approval, issue.

Keep complete digital document trails (POs, GRNs, Issues, Transfers, Credits).

Enforce physical controls: locked cages, CCTV coverage, key registers.

Support internal and external audits with accurate records.

Requirements

Grade 12

A formal qualification

At least 2-4 years' experience in hospitality inventory or multi-department stock management

Strong analytical and numerical ability

Experience with MyStock / MyInventory / POS systems (TallOrder or similar)

Ability to supervise and direct Storeman & Administrator functions

Strong understanding of hospitality operations (F&B, Housekeeping, Spa, Retail and OE's)

High accuracy and disciplined follow-through

Ability to collaborate with HODs, Finance, Procurement & Group Inventory Management