Job Title:  Inventory Controller

Job title:   Inventory Controller   

Location:  Ashford, Kent

Job Type: Permanent - Fulltime

Job ID:      SF18981

Are you ready to be part of the future? At QinetiQ, we’re not just imagining tomorrow we are creating it. From cutting-edge defence technology to ground-breaking innovations our mission is to empower and protect lives. Join us as a Inventory Controller at our Ashford, Kent site, where you will have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology in partnership with some of the most brilliant minds.

About the role

We are currently recruiting for an Inventory Controller to join QinetiQ Target Systems (QTS) within our Production Team.  QTS is a wholly owned subsidiary of QinetiQ Group PLC, specialising in the design and manufacture of a range of state-of-the-art Unmanned Aerial and Surface Target systems, including the world-leading Banshee target.

QTS targets are used to enable realistic weapons test and evaluation and operator training in over 40 countries worldwide, with QTS providing a complete managed service in over 15 of these countries. 

What will I be doing?

Reporting to the Stores Lead, you will be responsible for identifying, selecting and implementing industry-leading inventory management practices to strengthen inventory discipline and accuracy.

Working in alignment with the global inventory policy, you will develop, document and embed process improvements to drive consistency, efficiency and operational excellence across day-to-day inventory related activities.

You will operate within a one-site, multi-warehouse environment, managing inventory in excess of £20M.

Duties will include:

• Define appropriate and implement ‘best practice’ inventory management practice, process and procedure, resulting in high levels of inventory accuracy qty, value, and lot
• Systematically conduct inventory variance reconciliation, ensuring any stock adjustments are actioned in accordance with company delegation of authority
• Manage the process of non-moving and slow-moving inventory, and suggest recommendations and actions to support business decisions
• Schedule and oversee system led and blind cycle and routine inventory counts, reporting on accuracies and variances
• Identify trends in inventory inaccuracies, initiating and implementing corrective action to prevent future recurrence
• Define, create and report on inventory KPIs
• Delegate for the Stores Lead in a period of absence
• Coordinate the planning and execution of the annual stock take process
• Support the business on day to day on operational disciplines to ensure inventory accuracy is maintained to a high level.
• Support the Stores, and the wider Production Continuous Improvement initiatives and activities, including but not limited to the introduction of barcoding, vertical storage, Kanban and lineside stock

What do I need?

You will have a strong understanding and previous experience of inventory management techniques within a manufacturing environment, ideally within an SME.

You’ll have strong understanding of ERP systems and experience in stock reconciliation and variance investigations.

We also ask that you have:

• experience in inventory KPI creation and tracking, to drive improvement
• the aptitude to improve current working environment and practices, with a Continuous improvement mindset
• a positive approach and can-do attitude
• experience with a wide variety of commodities
• willingness to be hands on and lead by example
• worked in a regulated industry e.g. defence, aerospace, automotive, medical devices.

Why Join QinetiQ?

As we continue to grow into new markets around the world, there’s never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges.

As a QinetiQ employee, you’ll experience a unique working environment where teams from different backgrounds, disciplines and experiences enjoy collaborating widely and openly as we undertake this exciting and rewarding journey. Through effective teamwork, and pulling together, you’ll get to experience what happens when we all share different perspectives, blend disciplines, and link technologies; constantly discovering new ways of solving complex problems in a diverse and inclusive environment where you can be authentic, feel valued and realise your full potential. Visit our website to read more about our diverse and inclusive workplace culture. www.qinetiq.com/en/careers/life-at-qinetiq

Our Benefits:

• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Competitive holiday allowance, with the option to purchase additional days
• Options to join Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance
• Employee discount portal: Personal Accident Insurance, Travel Insurance, Restaurants, Cinema Tickets and much more
• We are proud to support the Armed Forces community by honouring the Armed Forces Covenant and maintaining our Gold Award standard in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
• Volunteering Opportunities - helping charities and local community

Our Recruitment Process:

We want to make sure that our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible and we aspire to bring out the best in our candidates by creating an environment where everyone feels valued, heard and supported.  If you have a disability or health condition that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your Recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Many roles in QinetiQ are subject to national security vetting being completed, applicants who already hold the appropriate level of vetting may be able to transfer it upon appointment. A number of roles are also subject to additional restrictions, which means factors such as nationality or previous nationalities may affect the roles that you can be employed in.

For further information on National Security Vetting, please see the link below.

UKSV National Security Vetting Solution: guidance for applicants - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)