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STOCK CONTROLLER

Community Markets for Conservation (COMACO) • Full-time • Lusaka • 3d ago

JOB OPPORTUNITY: STOCK CONTROLLER

Location: COMACO Head Office, Lusaka

Reporting To: Chief Financial Officer

Supervising: All Stores Officers

About COMACO

COMACO (Community Markets for Conservation) is a leading organization dedicated to improving rural livelihoods while promoting conservation-friendly farming practices. We work closely with smallholder farmers, donors, and partners to deliver impactful, sustainable development programs.

Position Summary

The Stock Controller shall be responsible for overseeing and maintaining effective inventory control systems across COMACO’s supply chain operations, including crop procurement, warehouses, manufacturing facilities, distribution depots, and sales locations.

The role ensures that physical stock accurately matches system records through timely reconciliations, disciplined stock movement controls, investigations of variances, and continuous process improvement. The position also supports operational efficiency, financial accuracy, and accountability across all stock holding points.

Key Responsibilities

1. Inventory Management and Control

Oversee inventory management across all stock categories, including:

· Raw materials

· Packaging materials

· Work-in-progress (system Monitoring)

· Finished goods

· Returned stock

· Damaged or obsolete stock

Maintain stock visibility and accuracy across:

· Factories

· Regional warehouses

· Mid point Warehouses (seasonal)

· Sales stocking points

· Third-party storage facilities where applicable

Ensure all stock transactions are captured accurately and timely in Sage.

2. Stock Reconciliation and Verification

· Ensure physical stock balances reconcile with system balances across all locations.

· Monitor and resolve:

· Unreceipted transfers

· Stock in transit

· Negative stock balances

· Duplicate transactions

· Delayed stock receipts

· Incorrect warehouse allocations

· Coordinate weekly cycle counts and periodic stock verifications.

· Lead mid-month & month-end stock counts, reconciliations, variance analysis, and final stock sign-off.

· Ensure write-offs are done in the same Month.

· Ensure stock records support accurate financial reporting.

3. Stock Transfer Management

· Oversee stock transfers between buying bulking points, warehouses, sales points and factories.

· Ensure:

· Proper dispatch and receiving documentation

· Timely system updates

· Confirmation of stock receipt by receiving locations

· Escalation of delayed or incomplete transfers

· Monitor stock-in-transit ageing and follow up outstanding transfers.

4. Production and Manufacturing Stock Control

Work closely with Regional stores Officers & production teams to ensure:

· Accurate issuance of raw materials to production

· Proper recording of production usage

· Timely capture of finished goods

· Recording and monitoring of wastage and yield losses

Ensure finished goods are immediately available in the system upon completion of production.

5. Sales and Distribution Stock Control

· Monitor movement of finished goods into distribution and sales locations.

· Ensure:

· Stock issued to sales teams is properly documented

· Invoices are raised on time

· No stock leaves company premises without authorization and supporting documentation

· Receive Warehouse guard report of anomalies by End of day.

· Investigate and resolve sales-related stock discrepancies.

6. Variance Investigation and Loss Prevention

Investigate stock shortages, overages, damages, expired stock, documentation failures, and potential theft.
Prepare reports and recommendations relating to:

· Stock write-offs

· Recoveries

· Disciplinary action

· Process improvements

Escalate significant control weaknesses and operational risks to management

7. Reporting and Analysis

Prepare weekly and monthly inventory reports covering:

· Stock balances by location

· Stock ageing

· Slow-moving stock

· Inventory turnover

· Variance analysis

· In-transit stock

· Write-offs

· Production yield losses

· Stock accuracy levels

Provide management with timely reports and early warning indicators on stock risks and operational inefficiencies.

8. Process Improvement and Compliance

Continuously strengthen inventory controls and stock management processes across COMACO operations.
Identify and address operational bottlenecks including:

· Delayed GRNs

· Delayed production captures

· Delayed invoicing

· Weak documentation controls

· Poor warehouse discipline

Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and inventory management standards.

9. Leadership and Coordination

Supervise and coordinate stock management teams across all operational locations.
Work closely with:

· Finance teams

· Warehouse teams

· Production teams

· Sales and distribution teams

· Regional operations teams

Promote accountability, discipline, and strong stock control practices throughout the organization.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

· Stock accuracy percentage

· System versus physical stock variance

· Transfer completion turnaround time

· Number of unresolved stock variances

· Production stock capture turnaround time

· Invoice turnaround time

· Stock ageing levels

· Inventory turnover ratio

· Stock write-off levels

· Month-end closure timelines

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Logistics, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field.
Professional inventory or warehouse management qualification will be an added advantage.
Sage inventory management experience preferred.

Experience Required