Inventory Planning • Production Support • Operations Boston, MA (on-site)Company: Polkadog
Position: Inventory & Production Coordinator
Reports To: Admin Manager
Type: Part-time now, on a track to full-time as you grow into inventory & production planning
Salary Range: $20-$25 / hour, depending on experience
The Opportunity Polkadog is a beloved Boston-based premium pet treat brand - a manufacturer and multi-channel retailer with eleven stores, a fast-growing wholesale business, and a national Amazon presence. Newly acquired by TAW Ventures, the company is entering an ambitious, multi-year growth phase backed by real investment.
As we scale, getting inventory and production planning right is mission-critical - it's what keeps treats on shelves, wholesale partners happy, and our kitchen running smoothly. This role is built in two stages: you'll start by mastering our systems and keeping our records flawless, then grow into owning how we forecast demand and plan production. We're looking for someone curious and self-motivated who wants to grow with the company - a part-time start that becomes a full-time seat at the planning table.
What You'll Do You'll be the connective tissue between our kitchen, our warehouse, and our records - making sure what we plan, what we make, and what we have on hand all line up.
Starting out - master the foundation:- Keep our inventory accurate and trusted - maintain records in our inventory system (Fishbowl) so the numbers people rely on are always right.
- Support a fast-paced production process - enter production data, track materials, and help the team stay ahead of what each run requires.
- Reconcile the paperwork - review packing slips and purchase orders to confirm documentation is complete and matches what's in the system.
- Watch inventory levels - monitor stock and flag when essential ingredients and materials need to be reordered, so production never stalls.
- Run cycle counts and physical inventories - help plan and execute counts that keep our data clean.
- Solve the mysteries - investigate and resolve discrepancies, and help us understand why they happened so they don't repeat.
Growing into - own the planning:- Forecast demand - use sales and seasonal trends to anticipate what we'll need across stores, wholesale, and Amazon.
- Plan production schedules - help sequence the kitchen's work so we make the right products at the right time.
- Coordinate with suppliers - manage reorder timing and relationships to keep materials flowing as volume grows.
This second tier is where the role becomes full-time - you'll help shape how Polkadog plans inventory and production at scale.
What You Need to Succeed We care more about attitude, accuracy, and curiosity than a long résumé. If you're organized, dependable, and like solving puzzles with numbers, you'll do well here.
- Detail-obsessed. You catch the small discrepancies others miss and care about getting it right.
- Comfortable with computers and MS Office. Solid working knowledge of Excel and a willingness to learn new systems.
- Confident with basic math. Counts, conversions, and reconciliations don't intimidate you.
- A reliable teammate. You work well independently and pitch in with the crew when it counts.
- Cool under pressure. You can stay accurate in a deadline-driven, hands-on environment.
- High school diploma or equivalent.
Nice to have (but we'll teach the right person):- 2+ years in an inventory control, warehouse, or production support role.
- Hands-on experience with Fishbowl Inventory - a real plus.
- An interest in manufacturing, supply chain, or the pet/CPG industry.
Why Join Polkadog - A real career path. Start part-time mastering the fundamentals, and grow into a full-time inventory & production planning role as you take on more.
- Compensation that grows with you. A competitive hourly rate now, with benefits available as you grow into the full-time role.
- Real ownership. You won't be a cog - your work directly keeps production running and shelves stocked.
- A brand people love. Join a Boston institution that pet owners are passionate about, now backed for serious growth.
- Learn the whole operation. Get hands-on exposure to manufacturing, inventory, and operations from the inside.
The Environment This is an on-site role in our Boston production facility. Expect a working manufacturing environment - noise, raw ingredients, and moving equipment are part of the day. It's hands-on, fast-moving, and never boring.
Ready to apply? Tell us a little about yourself and why this role caught your eye - we read every application. Polkadog is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes candidates of all backgrounds.