Inventory Lead

Wm Bolthouse Farms Inc•Bakersfield, CA

21h•$26 - $29•Onsite

About The Position

This position will report to the: Manager - Procurement Travel Requirement: None Location: Bakersfield, CA FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Employment Category: Full Time Regular Pay Range: $26 - $29 Generous Brands is dedicated to inspiring people to thrive through the power of vibrant nutrition through its leading brands, Bolthouse Farms, Health-Ade, and Evolution Fresh. Generous Brands partners with SAMBAZON to manufacture, distribute and sell SAMBAZON branded beverages. Bolthouse Farms is a pre-eminent provider of chilled juice, smoothies, shakes, and protein drinks. Health-Ade is the fastest growing kombucha brand, dedicated to creating bubbly beverages that boost gut health. Evolution Fresh is a premier cold-pressed juice brand with national availability. And, SAMBAZON beverages bottle the superfruit power of açaí in juice and natural energy cans. The company operates its North American business from facilities in Southern California, and the Greater Chicago Area. To learn more, please visit www.generousbrands.com [https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.generousbrands.com%2F&esheet=54302478&newsitemid=20250805863198&lan=en-US&anchor=www.generousbrands.com&index=1&md5=6a6ac761aafbcd9e0e300bf6b1fab422]. WHAT YOU’LL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR IN THIS ROLE The Lead MRO Inventory Specialist is a hands-on leadership role responsible for the day-to-day execution, performance, and continuous improvement of the MRO storeroom. This position serves as the technical and process leader for MRO inventory management, ensuring world-class standards in inventory accuracy, parts availability, kitting, and storeroom discipline. The Lead partners closely with Maintenance, Operations, Engineering, and Procurement teams to eliminate downtime risk related to spare parts and to advance the site’s journey toward world-class manufacturing. The Lead provides daily direction, coaching, and accountability for MRO Inventory Specialists.

Requirements

Strong working knowledge of industrial MRO parts (mechanical, electrical, automation).
Demonstrated ability to lead by influence in a fast-paced environment.
Advanced inventory control skills, including critical spares and BOM management.
Proficiency with CMMS/ERP systems and advanced Excel skills.
Effective problem-solving and root cause analysis capabilities.
Ability to prioritize and manage competing demands in a high-reliability manufacturing environment.
Clear, effective communication with technicians, planners, engineers, and leadership.
High school diploma or GED required, or two to six years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience
4–6 years of experience in MRO inventory, maintenance storeroom, or reliability support roles.
Demonstrated experience supporting maintenance planning and PM execution.
Strong experience using CMMS/ERP systems for inventory management.
Ability to work a variable schedule, including off-shift or weekend support as required.
Valid Driver’s License and clen driving record

Nice To Haves

Associate’s degree in Supply Chain, Industrial Technology, or related field.
Experience in food, beverage, pharmaceutical, or other regulated manufacturing environments.
Experience leading TPM, 5S, or Kaizen initiatives.
Experience with kitting programs, outage planning, and critical spares strategies.
Forklift or material-handling certification.

Responsibilities

Serve as the day-to-day lead for MRO Inventory Specialists, assigning daily tasks and setting priorities based on maintenance and production needs.
Ensure consistent execution of standard work for receiving, issuing, cycle counting, and kitting.
Act as the primary point of contact for maintenance planners, supervisors, and reliability engineers regarding parts availability.
Own MRO inventory accuracy, service level, and critical spare coverage.
Lead cycle count programs and physical inventories; ensure discrepancies are resolved and root causes addressed.
Ensure min/max levels, reorder points, and safety stock are optimized based on equipment criticality and usage.
Maintain and continuously improve equipment BOM accuracy in the CMMS.
Lead kitting strategies for preventive, predictive, and major maintenance work.
Ensure PM and outage parts are staged, verified, and ready ahead of scheduled work.
Partner with Maintenance and Reliability to eliminate emergency purchasing and expedite events.
Lead 5S, visual management, and standard work improvements in the storeroom.
Participate in TPM, Kaizen events, and reliability improvement initiatives.
Identify and implement cost-reduction and inventory optimization opportunities without increasing downtime risk.
Support downtime investigations and root cause analysis related to parts availability, quality, or lead time.
Coordinate with Procurement on purchasing priorities, expediting, and vendor performance.
Assist with vendor selection, pricing reviews, lead-time reduction, and critical supplier relationships.
Ensure repairable spares are tracked, sent out, and returned in a timely manner.
Serve as the CMMS/ERP “super user” for MRO inventory transactions and data integrity.
Accurately transact inventory in the CMMS/ERP system JD Edwards (e.g., SAP, Maximo, Oracle).
Maintain accurate part descriptions, locations, units of measure, and equipment associations.
Track and communicate storeroom KPIs such as inventory accuracy, service level, stock turns, critical spares coverage, and obsolete inventory.
Prepare data and documentation for audits and leadership reviews.
Follow all plant safety rules, food safety requirements, and environmental policies.
Safely handle and store lubricants, chemicals, and other regulated materials.
Support compliance with SQF, BRC, GFSI, OSHA, and internal audit requirements.
Always maintain audit-ready storeroom conditions.