Inventory Controller

Job Summary To review inventory forecasting, inventory analysis, and stock control across Tanzania — covering Dar es Salaam, Mbeya and Dodoma — ensuring optimal product availability and minimal stock shortages or excesses. The Inventory Controller is responsible for calculating, planning and coordinating the inter-warehouse movement of stock from Dar es Salaam to Mbeya and Dodoma, for reviewing and processing inventory adjustment journals raised by the Warehouse Supervisors, and for providing the Finance function with accurate inventory data, variance analysis and reporting in support of the monthly close. The role acts as the financial control point in the inventory adjustment workflow, consistent with the proven Southern Africa control framework operated by the Inventory Creditors Supervisor in the regional Finance team. Key responsibilities Forecasting, planning and reporting • Review monthly forecasting and inventory planning for Tanzania, together with the HQ Product Supply Department. • Analyse sales trends and PV performance across Dar es Salaam, Mbeya and Dodoma and provide recommendations to Finance and Operations. • Calculate inter-warehouse shipment requirements — specifically what needs to be shipped from Dar es Salaam to Mbeya and Dodoma each month — and oversee the planning of those shipments and the associated delivery scheduling. • Manage excess and obsolete (E&O) stock and rebalance inventory between the Dar, Mbeya and Dodoma warehouses to optimise availability. • Prepare and submit monthly Write-Off, Backorder, and Forecasting reports. • Track and report on key inventory KPIs — days of cover, fill rate, backorder days, E&O percentage, stock-take accuracy — and escalate stock-out risks early. Inventory adjustments — review, processing and control • Receive and review inventory adjustment journals raised by the Warehouse Supervisors (Dar, Mbeya, Dodoma) covering inter-site transfers, damages, write-offs, kit builds and other stock corrections. Each adjustment must be supported by the required documentation before processing. • Process the reviewed adjustment journal entries in Sage, in the capacity of financial reviewer and Sage processor. • Query any discrepancies with the originating Warehouse Supervisor and only process once resolved. Submit processed adjustments to the Operations Manager for authorisation in line with the segregation of-duties framework. • Perform the period-end final control check and reconciliation of all inventory adjustments to verify accuracy and proper accounting (e.g. receipts to the "Kits" account aligning with miscellaneous issues to the "Kit Built" account). • Maintain a register of all inventory adjustments processed each period for audit. Stock-take and inventory close • Coordinate stock-take cycles across all three Tanzania warehouses; investigate variances. • Support the monthly inventory close cycle: stock journal preparation, variance write-up, submission of supporting schedules to the Senior Accountant. • Maintain accurate inventory master data in company's Exigo ERP and in Sage. Scope boundaries • Import tax and customs duty calculation on incoming invoices remain the responsibility of the Senior Accountant (not this role). • Liaison with clearing agents and verification of Harmonised System (HS) code accuracy for incoming international shipments remains the responsibility of the Warehouse Supervisor (not this role). Quarterly Tasks • Quarterly forecast review with HQ Product Supply for the Tanzania market. • Quarterly Sage standard-costing upload for Tanzania. • Quarterly Country Input File for Tanzania. • Quarterly inventory variance analysis and write-off recommendations for management approval. • Quarterly summary of inventory adjustments processed (volume, value, root-cause analysis) submitted to the Senior Accountant and Operations Manager. Requirements Knowledge and Experience Degree or Diploma in Accounting, Finance, Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations Management or a related discipline — essential. • Minimum 3+ years' inventory planning and / or inventory accounting and control experience — essential. • Experience in a multi-warehouse or multi-location distribution environment — essential. • Working knowledge of inventory accounting principles (IAS 2 / IFRS for SMEs as applicable) — advantageous. • Experience with Sage and / or any ERP-based MRP / demand-planning module — highly desirable. • Demonstrable experience operating within a documented segregation-of-duties framework — advantageous. • Strong understanding of inventory planning, inventory accounting, and the Product Supply workflow. • Ability to maintain high accuracy and consistency in stock adjustment processing and reconciliation. • Demonstrable ability to act as the financial control point in the inventory adjustment workflow. • Strong analytical and Excel modelling skills — pivot tables, advanced lookups, scenario modelling for inventory planning — essential. • Knowledge of demand-planning systems (Sage and MRP tools) — essential. • Working knowledge of Sage as a posting system — including journal review, processing of inventory adjustments, and reconciliation of stock-related general-ledger accounts — highly desirable • Strong reporting skills — ability to produce clear, concise written reports for Finance and Operations management. • Detail-orientated, methodical, and practical. • Relevant computer literacy (MS Office suite, ERP / planning systems). • Must be willing to travel domestically within Tanzania (Mbeya, Dodoma and any future Field Support Centres). • Must be able and willing to work additional and flexible hours around month-end close and quarterly stock-take cycles.