Inventory Specialist

Muskoka Brewery

19d•Onsite

About The Position

Reporting to the Supply Chain Manager (SCM), the Inventory Specialist is responsible for achieving and maintaining the highest standards of inventory accuracy within internal and external warehouses. This role ensures full traceability and control of inventory at the lot number level and is a daily user of Business Central (ERP). The Inventory Specialist will lead initiatives that drive inventory integrity, support operational efficiency, and reduce variances through best-in-class inventory practices.

Requirements

Minimum 3 years of direct experience in inventory control within a warehouse, distribution, or manufacturing environment.
Proficient with ERP systems, with specific experience using Microsoft Business Central (dynamics), and a strong skill set regarding the use of warehouse management systems and advanced logistic technologies.
Strong working knowledge of inventory control methods including cycle counting, reconciliation, lot tracking, and bin management.
Analytical mindset with a strong attention to detail and root cause problem-solving skills.
Proficient with Microsoft Excel and data reporting tools.
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and drive results.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree, diploma or extensive experience in Business, Supply Chain, Logistics, or a related field an asset.
Experience with CFIA requirements and participating in or leading mock recall activities is an asset.

Responsibilities

Maintain accurate inventory records in Business Central, ensuring real-time updates for all stock across internal and external warehouses at the lot number level including finished goods, raw materials and packaging.
Lead and execute cycle counts, month-end counts, and year-end physical inventories. Investigate discrepancies thoroughly, reconcile physical to system records, and apply corrective actions to eliminate recurring issues.
Perform all required inventory adjustments in Business Central in a timely and accurate manner within allotted permission levels. Ensure full traceability is maintained through proper documentation and audit trails for compliance needs. Escalate inventory adjustments as needed in a timely manner.
Develop and maintain efficient inventory put-away strategies that maximize warehouse space, minimize search time, and create logical, easy-to-use bin organization aligned with operational needs.
Be an integral part of the receiving team to aid in receiving inbound goods following receiving SOPs, ensure correct labeling, and assign accurate bin locations immediately upon and in advance of receipt. Validate that physical stock movements are fully aligned with Business Central entries to maintain system integrity.
Work with the Supply Chain Manager and Warehouse Manager to monitor and update bin locations regularly, ensuring inventory is stored systematically, storage space is optimized, and picking efficiency is continuously improved for warehouse staff and for inventory counting purposes.
Work with the Warehouse Manager to track and report picking errors through regular audits and staff feedback. Investigate root causes, identify patterns or gaps, and recommend or implement corrective actions to enhance picking accuracy and reduce inventory outages.
Ensure full lot number tracking for all raw materials, packaging, and finished goods, including non-alcoholic SKUs, maintaining accurate lot inventory records in Business Central and ensuring lot numbers are managed with FIFO or LIFO as required.
Coordinate and participate in periodic mock recall exercises in collaboration with the Quality team. Validate the traceability system, confirm recall readiness, and ensure regulatory compliance under CFIA requirements.
Monitor inventory turnover closely, report on slow-moving, obsolete, or at-risk products, and work with Supply Chain Manager to develop action plans such as stock rotation or removal or escalation to SLT.
Act as an audit level for all inventory movement activities, including inbound receiving, internal transfers, and outbound shipping, ensuring all transactions are accurately reflected in Business Central with minimal lag time and investigate related inventory discrepancies.
Manage inventory placed on QC HOLD and/or HOLD DO NOT SHIP status by maintaining accurate tagging, documenting reasons for hold, tracking aging of held items, and working with quality and warehouse teams to resolve issues quickly, physically and in ERP.
Support the management of quality returns by ensuring returned goods are logged, properly investigated, and adjusted in the ERP system following established inventory and quality standards. Ensure all location level and inventory status level is accurate.
Generate and distribute weekly and monthly inventory performance reports, including inventory on hand, turnover rates, aged stock, reconciliation discrepancies, and process improvement opportunities as requested and scheduled by the SCM.
Act as an ERP key user for Business Central inventory workflows. Participate in ERP upgrade testing, support ERP training initiatives for warehouse users, and identify ways to better leverage system tools for inventory management.
Ensure inventory handling practices meet CFIA requirements and food safety standards, particularly for lot-controlled items such as non-alcoholic products. Always maintain complete documentation and system traceability.
Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on inventory accuracy, bin management efficiency, warehouse space optimization, and system process enhancement.
Maintain an organized, safe warehouse environment by enforcing inventory best practices, ensuring clear labeling, optimizing storage areas, and supporting compliance with health and safety policies.