Inventory Coordinator

Inventory Coordinator
Position Summary
The Inventory Coordinator is responsible for managing inventory accuracy, conducting inventory analysis, and supporting daily inventory control operations across the facility. This role ensures the integrity of inventory records, investigates variances, identifies root causes, and partners with cross-functional teams to drive continuous improvement in inventory processes and controls.
This position reports directly to the Plant Manager.
Successful candidates will demonstrate:
· A proven ability to achieve results in new or challenging situations by building trust, influencing others, and fostering collaboration.
· A commitment to serving others with respect, professionalism, and integrity.
· The ability to communicate and operate with simplicity, clarity, and transparency.
· Adaptability and resilience when managing change and driving process improvements.
· Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities and consistently meet deadlines.
· A willingness to learn new technologies and share knowledge with colleagues.
· A strong commitment to safety, compliance, environmental responsibility, and ethical business practices.
Key Responsibilities
Inventory Management & Analysis
· Manage and maintain inventory control processes for raw materials, work-in-process (WIP), finished goods, packaging materials, and ingredients.
· Reconcile, analyze, investigate, and explain daily inventory variances related to raw materials and WIP.
· Analyze inventory trends and develop recommendations to improve inventory accuracy and operational efficiency.
· Review, investigate, and resolve inventory discrepancies while identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions.
· Audit and approve inventory write-offs, ensuring proper documentation and compliance with company policies.
· Prepare weekly and monthly inventory analyses, including inventory soundings, trend reporting, and variance explanations.
· Coordinate and support annual raw material weigh-ups and inventory verification activities.
Inventory Controls & Compliance
· Ensure all inventory transactions are recorded accurately, timely, and completely within the ERP system.
· Review inventory movements and transactions to verify proper processing and documentation.
· Coordinate with Operations and other departments to investigate unusual transactions and ensure adherence to established procedures.
· Verify compliance with inventory cycle count procedures and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
· Support and coordinate year-end external audit inventory count observations.
· Review and monitor data systems to ensure accurate product movement and inventory tracking throughout the facility.
Operations Support
· Partner with Operations teams to ensure accurate recording of production and inventory transactions.
· Assist with reconciliation of physical inventory to system inventory and support corrective action initiatives.
· Monitor outbound consumables, including packaging materials, bags, seals, ingredients, and pallets, ensuring accurate reporting and usage tracking.
· Ensure all shipments are properly posted, documented, and supported by required paperwork.
· Oversee inventory movements related to production restages, product recalls, aged inventory, and product isolation requirements.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
· Build strong working relationships with Sales, Customer Service, Production, Dispatch, Elevator, Mill Operations, Finance, and Demand Planning teams.
· Collaborate with Finance, Milling Operations, and Demand Planners to identify and resolve inventory discrepancies.
· Provide analysis, reporting, and process support to improve inventory accuracy and business performance.
· Participate in continuous improvement initiatives related to inventory management and operational excellence.
Additional Responsibilities
· Complete special projects and perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Education
· Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Supply Chain Management, Materials Management, Operations Management, or a related field.
Experience & Skills
· Experience in inventory management, inventory control, or inventory analysis.
· Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
· Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
· Ability to identify opportunities to improve, streamline, and standardize processes.
· Experience working with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics 365, or similar platforms.
· Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
· Strong written and verbal communication skills.
· Fully bilingual (English and Spanish).
Physical Requirements & Working Conditions
· Ability to perform administrative and analytical work using a computer and standard office equipment.
· Ability to occasionally wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), including safety glasses, steel-toed footwear, hard hats, and hearing protection.
· Ability to work in both office and manufacturing environments.
· Ability to work occasionally in conditions involving:
o Hot and cold temperatures
o Indoor and outdoor environments
o Noise and vibration from manufacturing equipment
o Elevated work areas
· Ability to occasionally stand, walk, bend, stoop, crouch, balance, reach, climb stairs, and lift or carry materials as needed.
· Ability to safely work in a facility that operates continuously, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
· Willingness and ability to work in a flour-milling environment and around wheat-based products, with no wheat/gluten-related sensitivities or allergies that would prevent safe performance of job duties.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Ardent Mills is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected vetera