Inventory Specialist

The Inventory Specialist is responsible for ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and efficient management of inventory across all warehouse operations within a food manufacturing environment. This role oversees critical inventory-related activities, including cycle counting, inventory reconciliation, lot traceability, stock transfers, and the proper return and storage of packaging materials, raw materials, work-in-process, and finished goods.

The Inventory Specialist ensures compliance with First-Expired, First-Out (FEFO) practices, supports food safety and quality standards, and partners with cross-functional teams to maintain accurate inventory records, optimize warehouse operations, and ensure uninterrupted production and customer fulfillment.

Employee Type:

Full time

Location:

ND Grand Forks

Job Type:

Supply Chain Inventory Management

Job Posting Title:

Inventory Specialist

Job Description:

Schedule: 1st shift, Monday-Friday, with flexibility as needed

Work Location: 1801 N 36th St, Grand Forks, ND

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) with match, STD/LTD/AD&D/Life, HSA, FSA, EAP, Hospital indemnity, Accident Insurance, Identity and Fraud Protection Plan, Legal, and Critical Illness.

Salary, based on experience and other qualifications: $21.16 to $28.37 an hour with additional bonus potential

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Performs cycle counts on finished goods items in compliance with SOX requirements.

• Execute a cycle count program that verifies every inventory bin and item a minimum of two times each year.

• Investigate any discrepancies and work with plant controller to clear any differences.

• Inventory Adjustments as needed. (Daily, Weekly, and Month End)

• Adhere to all plant safety, food safety, quality, and regulatory programs, including SQF, FSMA, HACCP, GMP, Food Defense, and Food Fraud requirements.

• Maintain accurate inventory records through cycle counting, inventory reconciliation, physical counts, and inventory transactions in SAP.

• Verify receiving, shipping, and production documentation to ensure inventory accuracy and support daily inventory reporting.

• Monitor inventory levels, communicate replenishment needs, and support month-end and year-end inventory processes.

• Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned to support operational priorities.

Skills:

• Proficient in the use of computers and business-related software.  Included but not limited to; JDE, Trace Gains, SAP, Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

• Good understanding of quality control processes and manufacturing processes related to the food or beverage industry.

• Strong customer service, relationship building, problem solving and follow-up skills with the ability to multi task

• Experience leading small projects. i.e. project management

• Experienced in; HACCP, FSMA, SQF and GMP’s (good manufacturing practices)

• Results driven with high personal ownership.

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills

• Perform frequent forklift operations to support inventory management, material movement, and warehouse activities.

Physical Demands:

• Employees must be able to stand and walk for extended periods of time. Tasks may involve frequent climbing, pulling, pushing, carrying, grasping, reaching, twisting, turning, and stooping. 

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs frequently. 

• Must have good hand-eye coordination, motor skills, and 20/20 corrected vision. 

• Must have normal hearing and vision (with correction if needed), including the ability to distinguish colors for color-coded containers in production areas. 

• Employees must wear all required PPE according to the specific manufacturing environment, as outlined in the Employee Handbook, posted policies, or as directed by leadership. 

• Must adhere to all safety policies, including lock-out/tag-out, safe lifting techniques, and others as instructed. 

• Exposure to wet, humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, high areas, fumes, airborne particles, extreme temperatures, electrical risks, and vibrations depending on the area assigned 

• Must maintain a clean and safe work environment and report any food safety or quality issues immediately to management. 

EEO Statement:

Winland Foods seeks to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool, and as a global company we believe our success is enhanced by fostering equity and inclusion in the workplace. Therefore, Winland Foods is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military or veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law.