Inventory and Procurement Specialist

The Inventory & Procurement Specialist is responsible for the end-to-end management of materials procurement, inbound inventory receiving and tracking, and finished goods reconciliation across our brewing and distilling operations. This role serves as the connective tissue between production planning, vendor relationships, and accurate inventory records — ensuring that raw materials are on hand when needed, received accurately when delivered, and that finished goods inventory is properly tracked and reconciled following each production run. 

The ideal candidate brings 3–5 years of experience in procurement, inventory management, or supply chain operations, ideally within a beverage manufacturing, food & beverage, or consumer goods environment. This is a hands-on, detail-oriented role that requires equal comfort working in a warehouse receiving environment and in inventory management systems. 

Procurement & Purchasing 

• Source, negotiate, and issue purchase orders for all raw materials, packaging, ingredients, chemicals, and indirect supplies required for brewing and distilling operations. 

• Maintain and manage vendor relationships, including evaluation of pricing, lead times, quality, and reliability. 

• Monitor material consumption rates and production schedules to forecast purchasing needs and prevent stockouts or excess inventory. 

• Identify and onboard backup or alternative vendors as needed to mitigate supply chain risk. 

• Review and reconcile vendor invoices against purchase orders and resolve discrepancies in a timely manner. 

Receiving & Inbound Inventory 

• Oversee and execute the physical receiving of all inbound deliveries, verifying quantities, SKUs, and condition against purchase orders and packing slips. 

• Enter all received inventory accurately and promptly into the inventory management system. 

• Inspect inbound materials for quality, damage, or non-conformance and coordinate with vendors and QC on any rejected or short shipments. 

• Maintain organized, labeled, and properly stored inventory within the warehouse, adhering to FIFO and other applicable storage protocols. 

Finished Goods Tracking & Reconciliation 

• Receive and record finished goods inventory following each production run, including kegs, cans, bottles, and spirits packages. 

• Reconcile finished goods records against production batch records, identifying and investigating variances. 

• Maintain accurate finished goods inventory counts across all SKUs and package types in the inventory management system. 

• Support regular physical inventory counts and cycle counts; investigate and resolve discrepancies between system records and physical counts. 

• Coordinate with the sales and distribution team to ensure accurate real-time finished goods availability. 

Reporting & Systems 

• Maintain accurate, up-to-date records in the company’s systems (Beverage ERP, QBO, and similar). 

• Generate regular inventory and procurement reports for operations and finance leadership, including on-hand levels, open POs, cost summaries, and variance reports. 

• Identify process improvement opportunities within procurement and inventory workflows and contribute to their implementation. 

Required 

• 3–5 years of experience in procurement, purchasing, inventory management, or supply chain operations. 

• Demonstrated proficiency with inventory management software or ERP systems and Quick Books Online; ability to learn new platforms quickly. 

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in data entry, record-keeping, and reconciliation. 

• Ability to work independently, prioritize competing demands, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced production environment. 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets for reporting, tracking, and analysis. 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to work effectively with vendors, production staff, and leadership. 

• Physical ability to work in a warehouse environment, including standing for extended periods and lifting up to 55 lbs. 

Preferred 

• Experience in a beverage manufacturing, brewery, distillery, food & beverage, or consumer packaged goods environment. 

• Familiarity with brewery or distillery management software (Ollie, Ekos, OrchestratedBEER, or similar). 

• Working knowledge of TTB record-keeping requirements for raw materials and finished goods. 

• Experience with vendor negotiation and contract management. 

• Exposure to lean inventory principles, FIFO protocols, or similar operational methodologies. 

This position is full-time and on-site. The role requires regular time in both an office/administrative setting and an active production and warehouse environment. Candidates must be comfortable working around brewing and distilling equipment, temperature variations, and wet or dusty conditions typical of a beverage manufacturing facility. Forklift certification is a plus; training may be provided.