Purchaser Inventory Control Jobs in Santa Clara, CA

About The Team 

We are seeking a skilled Inventory control specialist to join our team. The ideal candidate will be responsible for maintaining accurate inventory levels, ensuring the timely and accurate issuance of materials to production work orders, and supporting efficient manufacturing operations. This position will perform weekly cycle counts, investigate inventory discrepancies, maintain accurate inventory records, and work closely with Production, Purchasing, Planning, and Warehouse teams to ensure materials are available when needed. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, comfortable working in a manufacturing environment, and understands the importance of inventory accuracy and material control. 

A Day In The Life Of Our Inventory Control Specialist  

Inventory Control 

• Maintain accurate inventory records for raw materials, components, finished goods, and production supplies. 

• Perform scheduled weekly cycle counts and reconcile physical inventory against system quantities. 

• Investigate and resolve inventory discrepancies, including shortages, overages, mislocations, and transaction errors. 

• Identify inventory variances and communicate significant discrepancies to management. 

• Monitor inventory levels and help identify potential shortages, excess inventory, and obsolete materials. 

• Ensure materials are properly labeled, identified, stored, and organized. 

• Maintain accurate inventory locations within the warehouse and manufacturing areas. 

• Support periodic physical inventories and annual inventory audits. 

Material Issuance & Production Support 

• Issue raw materials, components, and other inventory to production work orders accurately and efficiently. 

• Verify part numbers, quantities, lot numbers, serial numbers, and other required material information before issuing materials. 

• Ensure all material transactions are properly recorded in the ERP/MRP system. 

• Stage materials for production according to work orders and production schedules. 

• Coordinate with Production and Planning to ensure required materials are available when needed. 

• Return unused materials from completed work orders to the appropriate inventory locations. 

• Process material transfers between inventory locations as required. 

• Investigate and resolve material shortages that could impact production schedules. 

Inventory Accuracy & Process Improvement 

• Maintain a high level of inventory accuracy through proper transaction control and physical organization. 

• Identify recurring inventory discrepancies and recommend corrective actions. 

• Assist in developing and maintaining inventory control procedures and work instructions. 

• Ensure inventory transactions are completed accurately and in a timely manner. 

• Assist with root-cause analysis of inventory discrepancies and implement corrective actions. 

• Support continuous improvement initiatives related to inventory accuracy, warehouse organization, and material flow. 

Documentation & Compliance 

• Maintain accurate inventory documentation and records. 

• Follow established company procedures for inventory control, material handling, and work order transactions. 

• Ensure proper traceability of materials, including lot and serial number tracking when applicable. 

• Follow all company safety policies and procedures while handling and moving materials. 

• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment. 

About You 

• High school diploma or equivalent required. 

• 2+ years of experience in inventory control, warehouse operations, material handling, or a manufacturing environment preferred. 

• Experience performing cycle counts and researching inventory discrepancies. 

• Experience issuing materials to production work orders. 

• Experience using an ERP/MRP or inventory management system. 

• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills. 

• Ability to accurately count, record, and reconcile inventory. 

• Ability to read and understand part numbers, work orders, bills of materials, and inventory documentation. 

• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Excel. 

• Strong communication and problem-solving skills. 

• Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with Production, Purchasing, Planning, and Warehouse teams. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience working in a manufacturing or production environment. 

• Experience with ERP systems such as SAP, NetSuite, Oracle, Epicor, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar systems. 

• Experience with lot and serial number tracking. 

• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, 6S, or continuous improvement practices. 

• Forklift or other material-handling equipment certification. 

• Strong Excel skills, including sorting, filtering, and basic formulas. 

Physical Requirements 

• Ability to regularly stand, walk, bend, reach, and lift materials in a manufacturing/warehouse environment. 

• Ability to lift and move materials weighing up to approximately 50 pounds, with assistance for heavier materials as required. 

• Ability to work safely around manufacturing equipment, warehouse operations, and production personnel. 

• Ability to perform repetitive counting and material-handling activities. 

Key Performance Indicators 

Success in this position may be measured by: 

• Inventory accuracy percentage. 

• Completion of weekly cycle counts on schedule. 

• Number and frequency of inventory discrepancies. 

• Accuracy of material issued to production work orders. 

• Timeliness of material issuance and staging. 

• Reduction of production downtime caused by material shortages. 

• Accuracy of ERP/MRP inventory transactions. 

• Proper material organization and location accuracy. 

Working Relationships 

This position works closely with: 

• Production 

• Production Planning 

• Purchasing 

• Warehouse/Shipping & Receiving 

• Quality 

• Engineering 

• Operations Management 

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