Inventory Specialist, MI

Description

Title: Inventory Specialist 

Reports To: Warehouse Manager & Sr. Inventory Manager (FL)

Location: Benton Harbor, MI (Multi-site responsibility: FL, MI, PA)

Type: Full-Time | Onsite | Non- Exempt

COMPANY SUMMARY

Pero Family Farms is a market share leader with over a century of dedication, commitment and integrity. Operating since 1908, Pero is the farm trusted by retailers and consumers alike. We are a fully integrated farming operation, with departments that specialize in organic farming, logistics, global supply chain management, national sales operations, food processing operations, and strategic marketing functions. Our operation includes over 35,000 acres spanning across the East Coast of the United States from Florida to New York, with distribution and production facilities in several different states. We pride ourselves in maintaining a strong family heritage and tradition that has been dedicated to quality, innovation, and excellent customer service that has been feeding America’s families for over a century. Our family’s passion for farming remains unwavering, with a vision to continue the tradition for many generations to come, whilst maintaining the reverence and trust it has established with the American consumer. As we expand our offering to include an assortment of organic vegetable options; we have become one of the largest organic vegetable growers in the country and we are looking to grow our workforce family. Join us in continuing and strengthening our position as a market share leader dedicated and trusted by retailers and consumers alike.

JOB SUMMARY

The Inventory Specialist is a high-level, cross-functional role responsible for ensuring inventory accuracy, control, and process integrity across fresh produce operations, including bulk commodities, work-in-progress (WIP), and finished goods across multiple facilities.

This position serves as the central point of accountability for inventory performance, working closely with Production, Supply, Shipping, and Warehouse teams to monitor inventory flow, validate transactions, enforce rotation standards, and resolve discrepancies. The Inventory Specialist evaluates processes, identifies gaps, and drives accountability across departments to maintain accurate, real-time inventory.

This role provides direction to Inventory Coordinators and forklift personnel, ensuring execution of daily inventory activities while elevating issues, improving processes, and supporting operational decision-making at a higher level.

This role requires a biannual and annual general wall–to–wall inventory reporting audit for Head Quarter accounting department. 

Requirements

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Inventory Ownership & Accuracy

• Own inventory accuracy for all perishable products across bulk commodities, WIP, and finished goods.
• Oversee and validate daily cycle counts and reconciliation processes.
• Investigate discrepancies and drive corrective actions.
• Ensure accuracy of all inventory transactions.
• Maintain real-time visibility of inventory levels across facilities.

Process Oversight & Continuous Improvement

• Evaluate inventory control processes and identify inefficiencies.
• Drive standardization of inventory practices.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to improve accuracy and reduce shrink.
• Lead efforts to minimize waste and inventory loss.

Fresh Produce & Perishable/non-perishable Inventory Control

• OS&D adjustments 
• Ensure FIFO/FEFO rotation, lot tracking, and traceability compliance.
• Monitor product aging, quality holds, and allocation.
• Oversee internal product movements.
• Validate production consumption and yield reporting.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Serve as the primary point of contact for high-level inventory issues.
• Coordinate with Production, Supply, Shipping, and Warehouse teams.
• Work with QC on adjustments, holds, and product disposition.
• Support planning teams with accurate inventory data.

Team Coordination & Direction

• Provide direction to Inventory Coordinators and Clerks.
• Coordinate daily inventory activities.
• Partner with forklift operators for accurate movement.
• Reinforce accountability and adherence to procedures.
• Support development and structure of inventory personnel.
• Help build a scalable inventory organization.

Reporting & Analytics

• Generate and analyze inventory reports.
• Track KPIs such as accuracy, shrink, and aging.
• Provide insights to improve performance.
• Support audits with accurate documentation.

Systems & Data Management

• Utilize Famous, Excel/365, and Redzone.
• Ensure alignment between physical and system inventory.
• Support system and data accuracy improvements.

Compliance & Food Safety

• Ensure compliance with food safety and traceability standards.
• Maintain audit-ready documentation.
• Support traceability investigations.

Strategic Initiatives & Continuous Improvement

• Drive innovative approaches to modernize inventory processes.
• Lead bi-annual wall-to-wall physical inventory counts.
• Oversee company-wide inventory reconciliation efforts.
• Collaborate with CI and developers on data flow and reporting improvements.
• Analyze data trends to identify process optimization opportunities.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Work is performed primarily in a fast-paced warehouse, refrigerated storage, production, and office environment supporting fresh produce operations.
• Regular exposure to refrigerated and temperature-controlled environments, generally ranging from approximately 36–45°F, as well as varying temperatures associated with warehouse and production areas.
• Regular movement throughout warehouse, cooler, production, shipping, receiving, and inventory storage areas to conduct physical inventory verification, cycle counts, product inspections, and inventory reconciliation activities.
• Work may involve exposure to typical warehouse and production conditions, including noise from equipment and machinery, moving forklifts and other material-handling equipment, wet or damp floors, varying lighting conditions, and active loading and unloading areas.
• Must be able to work safely in environments where pedestrian and powered industrial truck traffic is present and follow all applicable safety procedures and facility protocols.
• Position requires frequent interaction and coordination with Production, Warehouse, Shipping, Supply, Quality Control, and other operational personnel across multiple facilities.
• May require travel between company locations in Florida, Michigan, and Pennsylvania to support inventory audits, process reviews, physical counts, and operational initiatives.
• May require extended or adjusted work hours, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, or additional hours during peak production periods, inventory counts, audits, or other operational needs.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to remain standing and walking for extended periods while conducting inventory counts, warehouse observations, product verification, and operational activities.
• Ability to safely navigate warehouse, cooler, production, shipping, and storage areas, including walking on concrete and other industrial surfaces.
• Ability to frequently bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, twist, and climb or use steps as necessary to inspect, count, and verify inventory.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and/or pull materials or product weighing up to 40 pounds on an occasional or frequent basis, as required by operational needs.
• Ability to safely handle and inspect cartons, cases, containers, and other inventory-related materials.
• Ability to work for extended periods in refrigerated and temperature-controlled environments.
• Ability to perform repetitive physical activities associated with inventory counts, including counting, scanning, labeling, verifying, and recording inventory.
• Ability to use computers, handheld scanners, tablets, and other inventory-related equipment requiring manual dexterity and repetitive hand and wrist movements.
• Ability to maintain sufficient visual acuity to accurately read product labels, lot codes, inventory documentation, computer screens, handheld devices, and other identifying information.
• Ability to communicate effectively in active warehouse and production environments where background noise may be present.
• Ability to safely perform required duties while wearing applicable personal protective equipment (PPE), including safety footwear, high-visibility garments, gloves, hair restraints, or other required protective equipment.

QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or GED required; higher education preferred.
• 3–6+ years of inventory control experience (fresh produce preferred).
• Strong understanding of FIFO/FEFO, lot tracking, and cycle counts.
• Experience across raw, WIP, and finished goods.
• ERP/WMS experience (Famous preferred).
• Strong Excel and analytical skills.
• Cross-functional leadership and accountability mindset.
• Solution-driven approach with strong problem-solving ability.
• Experience collaborating with CI or system teams is a plus.

COMPANY BENEFITS/PERKS

• 401(k)
• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance and more
• Paid Time Off (PTO)

The company (Pero) reserves the right to alter, amend, expand or contract these duties and responsibilities as the company's needs evolve.