Inventory Control Supervisor

Founded in 1910 and located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Mount Royal University grew into a vibrant college in the 1930s and became a mid-sized university in 2009. Mount Royal has carved out a distinct niche by offering smaller class sizes, a robust liberal education and unique undergraduate programs. Currently, more than 15,000 credit students choose from 13 bachelor degrees and 36 majors.

Mount Royal University is located in the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of the Treaty 7 region in southern Alberta, which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut'ina and the Iyarhe Nakoda. We are situated on land where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. The traditional Blackfoot name of this place is "Mohkinstsis," which we now call the city of Calgary. The city of Calgary is also home to the Métis Nation.

Mount Royal University is committed to removing barriers and fostering the inclusion of voices that have been historically underrepresented or discouraged in our society. In support of our belief that diversity in our faculty and staff enriches the work, learning and research experiences for the entire campus community, we strongly encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply and self-identify.

The Cougars Campus Store operates as a department within Business and Retail Services. It operates as a retail center to provide academic course materials, services and products to students in support of the mission and financial goals of the university.

Reporting directly to the Campus Store Manager, the Inventory Control Supervisor will act as the Campus Store’s Back of House Supervisor and Inventory Control Specialist, and will be responsible for all aspects of inventory management as outlined in the Knowledge of the Business (KNOB) document for the Campus Store. They are responsible for identifying best practices in inventory control management and are expected to be well versed in all aspects of inventory management and the Enterprise-Resource-Planning Systems (ERP) within the Campus store. They will be the contact person for all inventory issues, knowledgeable of and adhere to audit and accounting requirements, and will maintain and update retail pricing. The Inventory Control Supervisor should be well versed in 5S methodology and warehouse management to maintain an organized workplace. 

The Inventory Control Supervisor works closely with all staff within the Campus Store, the Receiving Department, and Finance Department, so must be comfortable with basic accounting knowledge. The Inventory Control Supervisor is expected to be engaged in the customer experience within the Campus Store, and assist or direct customers while on the sales floor.  This is a crucial position within the Campus Store which requires a dedication to detail and accuracy in meeting the retail needs of the Campus Store.

This is a full-time permanent position working 35 hours per week and requires heavy visual concentration and/or physical exertion, effort and strain. Forces exerted are equivalent to lifting between 11-23 kg (25-50 lbs).

Inventory Management

• Work with MRU’s Receiving Department and the Accounts Payable department.
• Ensure accurate entry of all inventory and invoices received (or returned) into the Campus Store ERP system.
• Review receiving documents to confirm FIFO valuation of cost of goods sold and correct accounting distribution to the General Ledger.
• Responsible for inventory adjustments in the Campus Store ERP system to ensure accurate inventory levels.
• Ensure the ERP system accurately reflects inventory costs and quantities for bundled course materials or promotional sales.
• Review and update retail pricing in ERP system to ensure pricing meets Campus Store profit margin requirements.
• Investigate discrepancies and provide detailed reports of all variances and price changes to Campus Store Manager.
• Review inventory items in the Campus Store ERP, ensuring products are set up correctly (Matrix options, web display, able to scan at POS).
• Markdown inventory by discounting damaged merchandise to be sold “as-is”, applying cost-recovery pricing to deadstock, and using price aging-matrices to discount aged merchandise when appropriate. 
• Establish and maintain an inventory counting schedule, use the Campus Store ERP to automate the generation of inventory counts.
• Work with external vendors and use the Campus Store ERP to generate overstock return lists, acquire vendor Return Material Authorizations (RMA), create shipping documents, create refund claims and coordinate the return of damaged or defective merchandise. 
• Work with the Purchasing Supervisor to ensure inventory levels, considering space management, carrying costs, and inventory turnover ratios. 
• Keep detailed records of shipment tracking information for incoming and outgoing merchandise and customer orders. 
• Create and maintain textbook backorder ETA lists to track delayed shipments, and communicate any significant supply chain issues.
• Apply 5S methodology and standards to create and maintain a clean, safe and organized workplace, and manage both incoming and overstock merchandise. 

Supervision

• Plan and delegate weekly and monthly spot counts on a minimum of 15 SKU’s 3 times a week (45 items per week), as directed by the Campus Store Manager.
• Lead quarterly, bi-annual, and annual inventory counts, determining staffing and equipment requirements.
• Oversee the online order fulfillment cycle, including resolving escalated customer online order complaints.
• Set quality control standards for merchandise received, and oversee item tagging and retail price changes.
• Delegate item receipt counting, physical packaging and labeling of bundle materials. 
• Create and assign item pick lists for return-to-vendor overstock.
• Work with the Retail Supervisor to determine staffing requirements, and train and supervise casual staff in the back of house for the Campus Store.
• Supervise and provide direction to the Store Services Coordinator.

Financial and Reporting

• Provide information to the Campus Store Accountant, Finance Business partners and Accounts Payable Department, and assist in troubleshooting inventory or cost of goods discrepancies.
• Provide inventory valuation reports, and compile quarterly inventory reports for the Campus Store Manager and the Director of Business Services.
• Work within month-end deadlines to submit all invoices to Accounts Payable. 
• Identify and rectify all negative on hand inventory errors prior to submitting inventory reports to Finance. 
• Work with the Campus Store team to report monthly eBook sales and ensures eBook reconciliations are accurate.

External Stakeholders and Customer Service

• Work with vendors and provide solutions for lost or delayed shipments or similar supply chain issues, and to resolve billing discrepancies.
• Request invoices, credit memos, or required shipping documents from vendors. 
• Provide required information to MRU’s couriers and customs broker for international shipments.
• Track returned merchandise and follow up with couriers on lost shipments.
• Assist customers (students, staff, faculty, general public) with all general enquiries and provide support to all campus store staff.

• Two year diploma from a University or equivalent.
• 3 - 5 years of business or retail experience in a leadership capacity.
• 3 - 5 years of experience in a position of inventory control, or a combination of education and experience in inventory control and/or supply chain management.
  • A combination of work experience and retail industry knowledge would be considered.
• Familiarity with POS and inventory management systems is required.
• Knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite with an intermediate knowledge of Excel is critical.
• An understanding of the accounting impact of all decisions, background in accounting is essential.
• The ability to identify, implement, and follow-up on inventory control protocol is essential.
• Strong ability to problem solve and troubleshoot independently, with a high level of detail and organizational skills.
• Proven ability to maintain a logical warehouse and ensure inventory accuracy, ease of access, organization, and reduced risk of damaged or lost merchandise.

Talented and committed employees are the driving force behind student success. We strive to be an employer of choice among Canadian post-secondary institutions. 

At Mount Royal University, we recognize that people are a combination of many intersecting identities; we work to cultivate an environment that welcomes the whole person, and harnesses the strength that is available in our diversity, creating a rich and inclusive workplace.

Investing in the learning and development of our employees benefits the individual and the University. A variety of services, resources and programs encourage a healthy, productive workplace. Mount Royal University offers a competitive total compensation package including health and dental benefits, pension, health and personal spending accounts, paid vacation, winter holiday closure, personal days and a free membership in our fully equipped recreation centre. 

Our campus offers the convenience of a medical clinic, dentist and pharmacy, as well as a variety of wellness services such as physiotherapists and massage therapists. Campus Recreation offers many activities, including personal training, climbing, aquatics, sports and certifications for students, employees and the public.

Salary:                            $55,982 - $70,841 per annum

Closing Date:                 April 1, 2024

A cover letter and resume should be submitted in one .pdf document. Please title your .pdf document as follows: [Last Name], [Requisition Number], [Document Title].pdf (ex. Smith, 999999, CV.pdf).

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens, permanent residents and others currently eligible to work in Canada will be given priority.

Recent Mount Royal graduates who are foreign nationals may be eligible to work on campus.  Please refer to the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website under Post-Graduation Employment at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/index.asp .