Specialist, inventory

Job Details:

Job Location: VA - Capital Area Food Bank - Lorton, VA

Position Type: Full Time

Salary Range: $56700.00 - $69300.00

Job Shift: Day

About the Organization:

The Capital Area Food Bank works to address hunger today and create brighter futures tomorrow for more than a million people across the region experiencing food insecurity. As the anchor in the area’s hunger relief infrastructure, the food bank provided more than 60 million meals to people in need last year, by supplying food to hundreds of nonprofit organizations as well as directly to the community. Creating long-term solutions to food security requires more than just food: it includes addressing the root causes of food insecurity by partnering with organizations that provide critical services like job training programs, health care, and education. To learn more, visit Food Bank for the Washington, DC, Region | Capital Area Food Bank.

Description:

The Inventory Specialist – NOVA is responsible for maintaining the accuracy, integrity, organization, and traceability of inventory at the Capital Area Food Bank’s NOVA distribution facility. This position serves as the primary day-to-day inventory control resource for the NOVA warehouse and is responsible for ensuring physical inventory accurately aligns with system inventory. The Inventory Specialist performs cycle counts, researches and resolves discrepancies, monitors inventory transactions and warehouse locations, supports receiving and put-away accuracy, coordinates replenishment, and ensures inventory is properly identified and controlled throughout the warehouse. The Inventory Specialist works closely with NOVA Warehouse Operations leadership and employees, Receiving, Order Fulfillment, Food Resources, Programs, ERP/Systems, and other internal partners to identify and resolve inventory issues before they impact order fulfillment or distribution. This is a hands-on warehouse position requiring regular physical inventory verification and direct engagement on the warehouse floor. The Inventory Specialist is expected to proactively identify inventory risks, investigate root causes, recommend corrective actions, and maintain continuous audit readiness.

Essential Functions:

• Inventory Control & Accuracy
• Cycle Counts & Physical Inventory
• Receiving and Put-Away Control
• Replenishment & Location Oversite
• Inventory Reconciliation & Discrepancy Resolution
• Order Fulfilment & Shipping Verification
• Product Rotation & Inventory Condition
• System & Transaction Accuracy
• Audit & Compliance Support

Maintain inventory records and warehouse conditions in a state of continuous audit readiness. Support internal, external, program, food safety, AIB, and other inventory-related audits. Provide requested inventory documentation and physical verification. Assist with corrective actions resulting from audit findings. Follow all applicable food safety, inventory control, warehouse, and regulatory requirements. Maintain clear documentation and traceability of inventory transactions. Immediately escalate inventory conditions that could create food safety, compliance, financial, or operational risk.

Communication & Operational Partnership:

Provide guidance regarding inventory locations, product status, replenishment, and inventory control procedures. Coordinate with DC Inventory, Food Resources, Programs, Finance, Compliance, ERP/System support, and other teams when cross-functional resolution is required. Support training of warehouse employees in inventory control procedures and system transactions. Safely operate forklifts, pallet jacks, and other material-handling equipment as required to perform inventory verification, product movement, pulling orders, replenishment and put away tasks. Follow all CAFB warehouse, food safety, sanitation, and equipment safety requirements.

Qualifications:

Requirements:

Education & Experience: High school diploma or GED required; associate or bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, or a related field preferred. Minimum of 2–3 years of experience in inventory control, warehouse operations, distribution, or a related supply chain environment. Experience with ERP/WMS systems, cycle counting, inventory reconciliation, and discrepancy resolution required; NetSuite and food distribution experience preferred.

Skills & Competencies:

• Inventory Control & Accuracy: Strong knowledge of cycle counting, inventory reconciliation, lot/expiration tracking, discrepancy research, and inventory control best practices.
• Systems & Data Management: Proficiency with ERP/WMS systems, inventory reporting, and Microsoft Excel; ability to accurately enter, analyze, and maintain inventory data.
• Problem Solving & Root Cause Analysis: Ability to identify inventory variances, investigate transactional or process issues, determine root causes, and implement corrective actions.
• Organization & Attention to Detail: Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accurate documentation and meeting deadlines.
• Communication & Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively partner with Receiving, Warehouse Operations, Programs, Food Resources, and other cross-functional teams.
• Accountability & Continuous Improvement: Takes ownership of inventory integrity, follows established procedures, identifies process gaps, and supports improvements that strengthen accuracy, efficiency, and compliance.

Preferred Qualifications:

3+ years of inventory control or warehouse operations experience, preferably in food distribution, high-volume warehousing, or a regulated environment. Experience with ERP/WMS systems and inventory reporting, with proficiency in Microsoft Excel; NetSuite experience strongly preferred. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with demonstrated experience conducting cycle counts, researching inventory discrepancies, maintaining high inventory accuracy, and supporting audit/compliance requirements.

Other Skills and Abilities:

Strong attention to detail and organizational skills, with the ability to maintain accurate records and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced warehouse environment. Effective communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work across Warehouse Operations, Programs, Food Resources, and other internal teams to resolve inventory issues. Ability to work independently, identify discrepancies, determine root causes, and take appropriate action while escalating issues when necessary.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions:

Ability to stand, walk, bend, stoop, reach, and move throughout a warehouse environment for extended periods, including working in refrigerated and freezer areas as needed. Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds and safely handle inventory, cases, pallets, and related warehouse materials. Ability to work safely in an active warehouse environment around forklifts, pallet jacks, loading docks, and moving equipment, while consistently following required safety procedures and using appropriate PPE.

Reporting:

Senior Manager, NoVA

Compensation:

$56,700 to $69,300 annually

Schedule:

Regular work hours are Monday through Friday from 7am – 4pm, with weekends or extended hours for special events.

Application Process:

Interested applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, and sign their application to finalize if applying through Paycom. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We do not accept walk-in applications or status updates for any positions. All Applicants must apply online. To ensure a fair and consistent hiring process, we kindly ask that applicants do not call, email, or visit our facilities to inquire about the status of their application. To check your application status, please log in to your Paycom Applicant account. If your qualifications match our current hiring needs, a member of our Human Resources team will contact you directly regarding next steps.

NOTE: Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Please access our website at Food Bank for the Washington, DC, Region | Capital Area Food Bank to learn more about Capital Area Food Bank and our employee benefits.