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Inventory Control Trainee

mPharma
Full-time
On-site
Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya

At mPharma, our vision is an Africa that's in good health. We will not cease until every person on the continent has access to safe and affordable healthcare and medicines. We’re a growing team of 600+ employees, headquartered in Accra, Ghana, and backed by mission-driven investors. We use technology to enable basic primary healthcare to Africans and have joined hands with drug manufacturers and healthcare providers to develop services and products that help provide access to basic healthcare and lower the costs of medicines. In only a few years, we’ve succeeded in providing low-cost, high-quality healthcare and medicines to hundreds of thousands of patients across 9 African countries (Ethiopia, Gabon, Togo, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zambia).




At mPharma we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities, and our hiring process and work environment are devoid of discriminatory practices. We promise exciting and rewarding career opportunities in an environment driven by high performance, an entrepreneurial mindset, and innovation.


 


Position Description


Inventory Operations at mPharma is a fun, fast-paced, agile, and people-focused business. Within the supply chain function, we believe in the motto "We win through our people". 


 


You will support and lead the logistics team members in a warehouse, ensuring they have everything they need to achieve and maintain their optimum performance levels. At the same time, you will ensure that operational activities are in line with profit and cost targets, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), and company policies.


 


This is a challenging role where you will have the opportunity to grow your career and be part of a strong team. You must enjoy being part of a dedicated team working together to make a difference in the lives of our customers and employees in relevant and memorable ways. If this sounds like a team you would like to join… Keep reading.


If you are looking for a change and ready to make a difference… We are looking for you.


 


Key Responsibilities:



  • Become the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for all Warehouse and Inventory Management System issues, problems, and bugs - Maintain a global overview of all system-related issues, tracking them end to end and providing visibility to Engineering for resolution.

  • Ensure warehouse and inventory control areas are clean and orderly. All inventory is in its proper place and clearly labelled.

  • Develop and implement comprehensive weekly cycle count plans that ensure all inventory categories are accounted for, as well as a quarterly plan for physical to system inventory count.

  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to schedule counts without disrupting daily operations.

  • Generate and analyze detailed reports from main warehouse physical count activities, identifying risk areas and recommending corrective actions.

  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives to reduce or eliminate reason codes impacting inventory risk exposure.

  • Provide program management follow-through for all improvement initiatives.

  • Directly supervise the return logistics process, overseeing the correct inbounding and putaway of slow-moving inventory, expiries, and damaged goods.

  • Ensure accurate selection of warehouses for inbounded items and proper placement in designated physical locations.

  • Investigate and review the results of all damaged, expired, shrunk, theft or lost and found SKUs and make corrections and adjustments in the WMS and document recommendations for improvement and risk mitigation.

  • Facilitate 360-degree feedback to Technology on system functionalities, managing bug escalations, and ensuring timely resolutions.

  • Provide program management capabilities for bug escalations and future enhancements related to the Warehouse Management System (WMS).

  • Continuously update commercial teams on the status of slow-moving and near-expired inventory to prevent any potential write-offs.

  • Collaborate with commercial teams to develop strategies for optimizing inventory levels.

  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to streamline and simplify processes within the fulfilment center.




Our Ideal Candidate



  • Demonstrates the ability to communicate effectively, motivate, and inspire others.

  • Determined, assertive, and a practical problem solver.

  • Shows the ability to work effectively with peers and supervisors to complete tasks.

  • Has a proven track record of successfully planning, executing, and analyzing cycle counts.

  • Highly detail-oriented and organized – but can also work in a hectic environment.

  • Possesses a good understanding of all inventory processes and procedures in a busy e-commerce/distribution Fulfilment Centre.

  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a knack for identifying and mitigating inventory risk.

  • Demonstrates basic knowledge of best practices in managing B2B or B2C teams and processes across inbound, outbound, sortation, and quality control in a large organization.

  • Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, as well as the ability to squat, kneel, and crouch.

  • Possess in-depth knowledge of logistics (fulfilment center best practices and processes).

  • Open to flexible work which may require attending to work based on a shift work system when required (i.e. regular weekends, public holidays, and/or overtime).


 


Qualifications



  • Relevant tertiary education i.e. HND or B.Sc in Supply Chain, Logistics, Procurement, Business Development, Statistics, or Engineering. 

  • Minimum of 1 year of experience in directly and indirectly managing people to deliver continuous improvement. Preferred hands-on ERP systems experience in a busy e-commerce/distribution setup or Warehouse and Inventory Management System consultant

  • Prior experience working with SAP / Manhattan / Pulpo or equivalent is a plus.

  • Must have the legal right to work in Kenya.

  • Must live within Nairobi.