Head-Stores and Inventory Control

Role Summary:

A senior, hands-on leader responsible for complete control, accuracy, and optimization of all inventory, including raw materials, bought-out items, WIP, finished goods, tools, and consumables.

This role will act as the single point of truth for inventory and ensure zero production disruption, full traceability, and tight cost control.

Scope of Inventory (CRITICAL):

• Raw Materials: Alloys, scrap, cast inputs
• WIP: Across machining stages
• Finished Goods
• Bought-Out Items:
• Valves, instruments, motors, gearboxes, electricals, etc.
• Assembly-critical components
• Tools & Consumables:
• Cutting tools, inserts, holders
• Coolants, oils, grinding wheels, abrasives
• Assembly Inventory:
• Kit-wise material readiness for dispatch

Role & responsibilities

1. End-to-End Inventory Accuracy & Control

• • Maintain >99% real-time inventory accuracy
• • Ensure daily reconciliation between:
• Stores vs production vs planning
• • Conduct:
• Monthly physical audits
• Surprise checks
• • Track:
• Shortages, excess, mismatches

2. Bought-Out & Assembly Control (VERY IMPORTANT)

• • Ensure complete availability of bought-out items before assembly starts
• • Create kit-wise tracking system:
• • Project-wise / equipment-wise
• • Avoid:
• Assembly delays due to missing items
• • Track:
• Partial receipts, pending items, and shortages

3. Tools & Consumables Management

• • Maintain strict control on:
• Tool consumption per machine/job
• Issue vs actual usage
• • Monitor:
• Tool life, replacement cycles
• • Prevent:
• Pilferage
• Excess consumption
• • Implement:
• Tool crib management system

4. ERP / Software-Driven Inventory System

• • Fully manage inventory through ERP:
• • Batch/heat number traceability
• • BOM-based issue
• • Job-wise consumption tracking
• • Generate daily dashboards:
• Stock levels
• Ageing
• Consumption trends
• Non-moving inventory

5. Production & Planning Coordination

• Work closely with:
• • Foundry
• • Machine shop
• • Assembly
• • Planning
• • Ensure:
• • Zero production stoppage
• • Timely issue of materials

6. Cost Control & Working Capital Optimization

• • Reduce:
• Excess inventory
• Dead stock
• • Monitor:
• Inventory turnover
• Carrying cost
• • Target: 15 TO 25% reduction in inventory holding

7. Stores Layout & Discipline

• • Develop a world-class store system:
• • Zoning: RM / WIP / FG / Bought-out / Tools / Scrap
• • Bin location system
• • FIFO / FEFO
• • Maintain:
• • Cleanliness
• • Safety
• • Audit readiness

8. Team Leadership & SOP Implementation

• • Lead stores team with clear KPIs
• • Implement strict SOPs for:
• • Receipt
• • Issue
• • Return
• • Reconciliation

Preferred candidate profile

• Experience:10 to 15 years
• Industry: Heavy engineering/ foundry/machine shop
• Strong ERP/system experience (non-negotiable)
• Deep understanding of:
• Assembly logistics
• Tool control
• Highly disciplined, detail-oriented, hands-on

KPIs

• Inventory accuracy: >99%
• Zero assembly delay due to missing bought-outs
• Reduction in inventory days
• Tool consumption reduction (1015%)
• Zero audit discrepancies
• Clean, structured stores