Customer Inventory Specialist - Milk Specialties Global

At Milk Specialties Global, our focus is to create high-quality ingredients designed to optimize health and nutrition. We are passionate and dedicated people. Each day, we collectively explore new, innovative ways to enhance product performance and value through our broad human and animal nutrition portfolios. We offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental, vision and life insurance as well as a healthy 401(k) company match program.

The Customer Inventory Specialist (CIS) will be the primary Customer contact for all inventory-related issues and communication. The Customer Inventory Specialist will coordinate, manage and communicate all aspects of inventory control required to maintain a high level of Customer confidence and satisfaction. The CIS will work with the appropriate plant and warehouse staff to rapidly identify, investigate, resolve and communicate inventory related matters. The primary objective for this role will be to ensure continual and relentless inventory accuracy to support timely and accurate reporting to customers, optimized sourcing/receiving/shipping/invoicing as well as effective management of Rework/Off-Spec/Held inventory. The CIS will coordinate with Planning, Procurement and Warehouses to assure the production plan can be met, reconciliations are swiftly and accurately completed, scrap/yield expectations are being monitored and met and products are being delivered on time. The CIS will also be responsible for maintaining a Smartsheet to log and manage Customer requests, complaints and issues.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Monitor and manage Customer inventory.
  • Work with Warehouses to assure Inventory accuracy at all times.
  • Review requirements with Planning/Procurement to assure ample inventory is on-hand or incoming to support production campaigns.
  • Monitor incoming POs and work with Procurement/Customer/Warehouse to assure on-time delivery and receipt of inventory.
  • Work with Warehouses/Logistics/Transportation to assure inventory is on hand to support production campaigns.
  • Monitor Raw Material Issue Transactions and Inventory on hand for FIFO usage.
  • Monitor Material Issue and Production Booking transactions daily throughout campaigns to assure accurate transaction processing.
  • Spot check and cycle count Inventory throughout campaigns.
  • Participate in Work Order reconciliation process to reconcile post-production inventory swiftly and accurately. 
  • Communicate reconciliation results, particularly scrap/yield with Plant Management and ultimately the Customer.
  • Swiftly cycle count, button-up and reconcile inventory post campaign to assure accuracy.
  • Communicate post campaign inventory to Planning/Procurement and Customer to start planning for the next campaign.
• Manage Customer Inventory Exceptions.
  • Assure swift tagging and transformation to Rework where appropriate.
  • Assure swift tagging and segregation/isolation of Inventory at Customer request.
  • Assure swift tagging and transformation of Held/Off-Spec inventory.
• Help Manage the Disposition and Rework Process.
  • Identify/analyze/monitor Rework, Held/Off-Spec or segregated inventory to formulate plans so convert to sellable product or dispose. 
  • Coordinate and execute rework projects.
  • Coordinate and regularly communicate with task owners to assure timely execution and completion of plans.
• Manage Customer Requests, Complaints and Issues.
  • Maintain a Smartsheet to log and track all Customer claims, requests, complaints or other issues.
  • Communicate/coordinate with Customer Service and Customers to formulate and execute plans to swiftly resolve and complete all issues.
• Manage Orphan or Problematic Inventory.
  • Regularly analyze Inventory to identify old, obsolete, expired or soon to expire inventory.
  • Coordinate with Customer, QA and Planning on disposition, consumption or disposal plans.
  • Monitor and oversee execution of plans.
• Oversee Cycle Counting Process where necessary.
  • Work with Cycle Counter(s) to assure execution of counting processes.
  • Communicate results to Customer and appropriate plant staff.
• Assist with development of processes, tools and reports to support Inventory optimization.
• Follow GMP guidelines and be Safety oriented.

Required Qualifications: 

• Previous Inventory/Warehouse management experience.
• Previous Customer Service experience.
• High attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple projects/tasks simultaneously.
• Excellent communication and coordination skills.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Excellent systems and technical skills
• Experience with ERP systems, specially MRP and Inventory Control preferred
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent preferred