Job Title: Deputy Head Inventory Management

Department: IMM

Reports to: DRT HEAD

Location: Kiambu County

Job Objective

To support the DRT Head in leading and optimising Inventory and Materials Management operations across multiple product categories and sites, ensuring uninterrupted material availability, optimal working capital utilisation, strong governance, and continuous improvement in inventory accuracy, controls, and process efficiency.

Key Responsibilities.

1. Inventory Governance & Control

• Oversee inventory planning parameters including minimum–maximum levels, safety stock, and reorder points in collaboration with Production Planning and Procurement.
• Ensure optimal inventory levels for raw materials, packaging materials, and engineering spares to prevent stock-outs, overstocking, and working capital lock-up.
• Own inventory accuracy and variance control, ensuring timely investigation and closure of discrepancies.
• Act as the first escalation point for critical inventory risks, including shortages, excess stock, slow-moving, and obsolete items.

2. Inventory Operations & Systems Management

• Oversee daily material receipts, issues, transfers, and returns in line with approved SOPs.
• Ensure accurate and timely recording of all material movements within SAP or other ERP systems.
• Review daily tracking reports, weekly reconciliations, and monthly physical stock take outcomes.
• Ensure materials are stored in compliance with quality, hygiene, safety, and labelling standards.

3. Production Support & Cross-Functional Coordination

• Work closely with Production, Quality Assurance, Planning, Procurement, and Finance teams to ensure seamless material flow.
• Proactively flag material risks related to expiry, long lead imports, supplier delays, or demand fluctuations.
• Represent the IMM function in operational forums such as MRM, production planning, and S&OP meetings as required.

4. Procurement & Vendor Interface

• Support Procurement by tracking purchase requisitions, deliveries, and GRN accuracy.
• Coordinate resolution of quality rejections, shortages, and delivery variances with suppliers.
• Participate in vendor performance reviews, inbound audits, and evaluation of new vendors in line with company standards.
• Liaise with Finance and Procurement to ensure timely invoice processing and closure of inventory-related issues.

5. Waste, Loss Control & Continuous Improvement

• Monitor and control process wastage, scrap, and write-offs, ensuring compliance with company policy.
• Drive Lean, Kaizen, and process improvement initiatives within IMM to reduce losses and improve efficiency.
• Track and report cost savings achieved through inventory optimisation and waste reduction initiatives.

6. Leadership, People Management & Acting-Head Responsibility

• Lead, coach, and develop IMM supervisors, store in-charges, and inventory control teams.
• Drive discipline, compliance, and performance culture within the IMM function.
• Act as the DRT Head’s delegate during meetings, reviews, and operational engagements when required.
• Support succession planning and capability development within the inventory and materials management team.

7. Reporting, Compliance & Audit

• Prepare and review weekly and monthly inventory reports, including stock status, ageing, variances, and materials in transit.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls, audit requirements, SOPs, and documentation standards.
• Support internal and external audits and ensure timely closure of audit findings related to inventory.

Requirements

Qualifications and experience

1. Bachelor’s Degree (mandatory) in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Logistics, Materials Management, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, or a related manufacturing-focused discipline.
2. APICS / ASCM certifications (CPIM, CSCP) or equivalent inventory and supply chain certifications.
3. CIPS (Level 3 or above) or equivalent procurement certification.
4. Lean Manufacturing / Six Sigma (Green Belt or above).
5. ERP certification or formal training in SAP MM / WM modules
6. 5–7 years’ experience in Inventory and Materials Management within a manufacturing environment
7. Global experience is preferred
8. Minimum 2–3 years in a supervisory or lead role managing stores, inbound materials, or inventory control.
9. Hands-on experience handling raw materials, packaging materials, and engineering spares.
10. Experience working in FMCG, Food & Beverage, or large-scale manufacturing environments preferred.
11. Strong working knowledge of ERP systems (SAP or equivalent).
12. The position is open to suitably qualified local and expatriate candidates.

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong inventory planning, control, and analytical skills.
• Excellent coordination and stakeholder management abilities.
• Sound understanding of manufacturing workflows and material requirements.
• High attention to detail, accuracy, and compliance.
• Ability to lead teams, manage pressure, and make operational decisions.
• Problem-solving mindset with a continuous improvement orientation.

Key Attributes:

• Detail-oriented and accountable for inventory integrity
• Proactive in risk identification and resolution
• Strong ownership mindset with readiness to act as second-in-command
• Committed to safety, quality, and operational excellence.

• Oversee inventory planning parameters including minimum–maximum levels, safety stock, and reorder points in collaboration with Production Planning and Procurement.
• Ensure optimal inventory levels for raw materials, packaging materials, and engineering spares to prevent stock-outs, overstocking, and working capital lock-up.
• Own inventory accuracy and variance control, ensuring timely investigation and closure of discrepancies.
• Act as the first escalation point for critical inventory risks, including shortages, excess stock, slow-moving, and obsolete items.
• Oversee daily material receipts, issues, transfers, and returns in line with approved SOPs.
• Ensure accurate and timely recording of all material movements within SAP or other ERP systems.
• Review daily tracking reports, weekly reconciliations, and monthly physical stock take outcomes.
• Ensure materials are stored in compliance with quality, hygiene, safety, and labelling standards.
• Work closely with Production, Quality Assurance, Planning, Procurement, and Finance teams to ensure seamless material flow.
• Proactively flag material risks related to expiry, long lead imports, supplier delays, or demand fluctuations.
• Represent the IMM function in operational forums such as MRM, production planning, and S&OP meetings as required.
• Support Procurement by tracking purchase requisitions, deliveries, and GRN accuracy.
• Coordinate resolution of quality rejections, shortages, and delivery variances with suppliers.
• Participate in vendor performance reviews, inbound audits, and evaluation of new vendors in line with company standards.
• Liaise with Finance and Procurement to ensure timely invoice processing and closure of inventory-related issues.
• Monitor and control process wastage, scrap, and write-offs, ensuring compliance with company policy.
• Drive Lean, Kaizen, and process improvement initiatives within IMM to reduce losses and improve efficiency.
• Track and report cost savings achieved through inventory optimisation and waste reduction initiatives.
• Lead, coach, and develop IMM supervisors, store in-charges, and inventory control teams.
• Drive discipline, compliance, and performance culture within the IMM function.
• Act as the DRT Head’s delegate during meetings, reviews, and operational engagements when required.
• Support succession planning and capability development within the inventory and materials management team.
• Prepare and review weekly and monthly inventory reports, including stock status, ageing, variances, and materials in transit.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls, audit requirements, SOPs, and documentation standards.
• Support internal and external audits and ensure timely closure of audit findings related to inventory.

• Strong inventory planning, control, and analytical skills.
• Excellent coordination and stakeholder management abilities.
• Sound understanding of manufacturing workflows and material requirements.
• High attention to detail, accuracy, and compliance.
• Ability to lead teams, manage pressure, and make operational decisions.
• Problem-solving mindset with a continuous improvement orientation.

• Bachelor’s Degree (mandatory) in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Logistics, Materials Management, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, or a related manufacturing-focused discipline.
• APICS / ASCM certifications (CPIM, CSCP) or equivalent inventory and supply chain certifications.
• CIPS (Level 3 or above) or equivalent procurement certification.
• Lean Manufacturing / Six Sigma (Green Belt or above).
• ERP certification or formal training in SAP MM / WM modules
• 5–7 years’ experience in Inventory and Materials Management within a manufacturing environment
• Global experience is preferred
• Minimum 2–3 years in a supervisory or lead role managing stores, inbound materials, or inventory control.
• Hands-on experience handling raw materials, packaging materials, and engineering spares.
• Experience working in FMCG, Food & Beverage, or large-scale manufacturing environments preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of ERP systems (SAP or equivalent).
• The position is open to suitably qualified local and expatriate candidates.