Sharpak Aylesham is a manufacturer of thermoformed plastic packaging for use in the Fresh Produce and Food Service divisions. Established in 1968, the site has significantly grown in recent years and aims to be the first choice for rigid plastic packaging solutions through our reliability, efficiency, and innovation as a manufacturer of sustainable packaging on a local and global platform.

Role Purpose:

The Stock Controller ensures accurate inventory management and reporting by overseeing stock control processes, safeguarding assets, and aligning practices with company policies. The role is key to maintaining our operational efficiency, supporting financial reporting, and providing insights on stock valuations. Through process development, reconciliation, and cross-functional collaboration, the Stock Controller drives improvements in stock accuracy, reduces inefficiencies, and ensures compliance with group policies and audit requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

Inventory Management & Analysis:

• Conduct detailed inventory analysis to monitor stock levels, consumption trends, and variances.
• Prepare and present regular inventory reports for senior management, highlighting key insights, stock movements, and variances.

Internal Control & Safeguarding:

• Ensure robust internal controls are implemented and maintained to safeguard stock, ensuring compliance with company policies and operational efficiency.
• Conduct periodic audits of stock to identify and mitigate risks of discrepancies, damage, or other shrinkage.

Process Development & Efficiency:

• Proactively develop and improve stock control, analysis, and reconciliation processes.
• Align inventory management procedures with group policies while driving operational efficiency and reducing waste or redundancy in processes.

Month-End Stock Analysis & Reporting:

• Manage month-end stock analysis, ensuring the timely and accurate recording of all stock movements.
• Collaborate with finance and operations teams to provide comprehensive stock-related reports that reflect the company’s stock holding accurately.

Stock Adjustments & Provisioning:

• Take ownership of stock provisions, adjustments, and write-offs, ensuring these are calculated and reported accurately.
• Ensure stock adjustments align with group accounting policies and contribute to clean financial reporting.

Global Inventory Tracking & Valuation:

• Provide detailed inventory holding and valuation reports across production & logistics, ensuring data integrity.
• Support financial planning by delivering accurate stock valuations for budgeting and forecasting purposes.

Inventory Reconciliation:

• Reconcile inventory data regularly to prepare for financial reporting and stock valuations, ensuring accurate data entry and record-keeping.
• Collaborate with finance teams to ensure that all inventory records support statutory and group management reporting requirements.

Cross-Functional Business Partnering:

• Partner with key departments such as Production and Purchasing to provide inventory insights, reports, and support for stock valuations.
• Collaborate closely with these teams to understand production schedules and purchasing trends to ensure optimal stock levels.

Procedure Design & Control Implementation:

• Design, manage, and implement effective procedures and controls for inventory management and movement across the company.
• Continuously evaluate the effectiveness of these controls and make improvements where necessary.

Aged & Obsolete Stock Management:

• Manage aged, obsolete, or faulty inventory
• Review and analyse slow-moving stock and recommend corrective actions to minimise waste.

Process Streamlining & Efficiency:

• Identify opportunities to improve workflow and streamline processes within stock control, reducing inefficiencies and errors.
• Ensure accurate tracking, recording, and valuing of inventory through enhanced inventory management practices.

Quarterly Inventory Audits:

• Lead quarterly inventory audits, ensuring that all stock records are accurate, up to date, and compliant with internal control measures.
• Investigate and resolve any discrepancies uncovered during the audit process.

Month-End & Year-End Financial Reporting Support:

• Support the finance team during month-end and year-end reporting by providing accurate stock data and reports.
• Ensure stock valuations and provisions are correctly reflected in financial statements.

Audit Support:

• Provide detailed stock-related analysis and documentation in support of internal and external audits, as required.
• Collaborate with auditors to ensure transparency and accuracy in inventory reporting.

The Person

Minimum 3 years in a relevant stock control/inventory role, preferably in a manufacturing business.

Demonstrable understanding of valuation process, transfers, and general stock management principles

Ability to work cross-functionally and collaborate with diverse teams.

Excellent attention to detail, especially in financial reconciliation and reporting.

Ability to drive process improvement and efficiency initiatives.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Ability to manage large data sets

Excellent IT skills and competence with Microsoft packages, especially Excel.

Flexible, adaptive, and proactive attitude.

Ability to work autonomously to a high standard, either alone or as part of a wider team.