Stock Controller jobs in South Africa

Are you an analytical person with experience in the retail industry? Our client, a leading retailer based in Pinelands, is seeking a Stock Controller with extensive experience working with high volumes of data.

The role requires intermediate to advanced Excel skills for effective cycle count performance, maintaining inventory accuracy, and shrinkage control.

Requirements:

• Diploma or degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Retail Management, or a related field
• Certification in inventory or stock control (e.g., APICS CPIM) advantageous
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in merchandise stock control, inventory management, or retail operations
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to liaise efficiently with stores, purchasing, and finance teams
• Proven experience managing stock accuracy, cycle counts, and shrinkage control within a retail environment
• Experience collaborating with purchasing, merchandising, and store teams to optimize stock levels
• Strong knowledge of merchandise stock control principles, stock reconciliation, and audit processes
• Proficiency with retail inventory management systems (IMS), ERP software, and POS-integrated stock platforms
• Advanced Excel skills including the use of pivot tables, formulas, and data analysis tools
• Experience working with automation tools or partnering with IT to improve reporting workflows is an advantage
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy in handling stock records and physical inventory
  Strong problem-solving skills to investigate and resolve stock discrepancies quickly and effectively

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Ensure Inventory Accuracy
  • Maintain accurate stock records across all locations, aiming for a 97% or higher match between system records and physical inventory.
• Lead and Improve Cycle Counts
  • Conduct and oversee regular inventory cycle counts, actively reducing count discrepancies year-over-year through improved processes and store-level coordination.
• Minimize Inventory Shrinkage
  • Monitor and control inventory loss due to theft, damage, or errors, with a goal of keeping shrinkage below 1.8% annually.
• Support Smarter Forecasting
  • Collaborate with planning teams to improve demand forecast accuracy for each product collection and seasonal period, using historical sales data as a benchmark.
• Champion Reporting Efficiency
  • Work closely with automation and reporting teams to streamline inventory reporting. Help implement at least two automation initiatives per quarter, contributing to faster, more accurate reporting within 12 months.
• Monitor and Reduce Stockouts
  • Maintain optimal inventory availability by ensuring a 95%+ fill rate and reducing stockout incidents to under 5% across all product categories.
• Optimise Inventory Turnover
  • Partner with purchasing and planning teams to drive healthy stock rotation and maintain consistent turnover rates by season and collection.
• Actively Manage Days on Hand (DOH)
  • Track and manage the average number of days stock remains unsold, meeting quarterly targets set for each product category.
• Support Accurate Retail Audits
  • Ensure inventory records at retail stores are audit-ready, aiming for <1% discrepancy during quarterly audits and achieving “clean audit” results at least twice a year.
• Resolve Audit Issues Promptly
  • Respond to audit findings quickly and thoroughly, ensuring 100% of stock discrepancies are investigated and resolved within agreed timeframes (typically within 7 business days).