Inventory Control Supervisor

Ascent Aerospace – Inspiring the next generation of flight!

Ascent Aerospace is a world-renowned, single-source provider of production and automated assembly systems for the aerospace and defense industry. We provide high-precision advanced automated equipment as well as a full suite of both mold and assembly tooling required for the aerospace manufacturing market, including the largest Invar molds ever made— making us the largest tooling group in the industry. We work with our customers to develop their project and see it through, from process engineering to build and installation, to ensure it is an efficient and cost-effective solution. As a true, single-source integrator, we have proven tools to surpass our customer expectations. We have greater control of timing and schedules, which allows for 100% accountability, and avoids costly mark-ups, ultimately saving our customers money. The result: a group of businesses, each an industry leader within their own discipline, now acting as one truly integrated supply base.

SUMMARY OF POSITION

The Inventory Control Supervisor is a working supervisor who leads Receiving, Vendor Managed Inventory, and Material Management Crib / Project Inventory operations. This role owns material from the receiving dock through storage, kitting, issue, return, and transfer. The Supervisor spends a significant portion of each shift performing hands-on receiving, kitting, and inventory transactions alongside the team, while also directing Material Management Specialists and Receiving staff, maintaining inventory accuracy, and enforcing documented procedures. Receiving operates as a function separate from Shipping, and the Supervisor partners with Shipping, Build Supervisors, Supply Chain, Quality, and Engineering to keep material flowing and to prevent shortages, material loss, and nonconforming product from reaching the floor.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

This document in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying the position.

Team Leadership and Supervision

• Supervise, schedule, and assign work for Material Management Specialists and Receiving staff across all shifts, including second shift and weekend coverage as needed.
• Hire, train, and develop team members in SAP, the Material Tracking List (MTL), receiving, labeling, kitting, and crib procedures.
• Set performance expectations, coach, conduct reviews, and address attendance and conduct issues with Human Resources. Approve timecards, PTO, and overtime.
• Work alongside the team daily on receiving, kitting, issue/return, and cycle counts, and covering the floor during peak volume, absences, and shift gaps.

Receiving and Project Receipt

• Receive incoming shipments, verifying part number, revision, quantity, unit of measure, condition, and required documentation against the PO and SAP.
• Post goods receipts in SAP and Project Receipt records in the MTL, including partial receipts and open lines.
• Route material requiring inspection to Quality and keep nonconforming material segregated and identified until dispositioned.
• Resolve receiving discrepancies (shortages, overages, wrong parts, damage, missing paperwork) with Purchasing, suppliers, and carriers.

Inventory Control and Traceability

• Use BOMs, MTLs, and SAP reports to verify part/sub-assembly linkage, catch shortages early, and flag BOM, revision, or master data errors to Engineering and Supply Chain.
• Maintain labeling standards, storage locations, and records so all project inventory is traceable and audit ready.
• Manage and track Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI).
• Process and monitor Transfer Out/In transactions for outsourcing and internal value-add and follow up on overdue returns.

Kitting, Issue, and Return

• Partner with Build Supervisors on kitting priorities, then build, stage, and mark kits.
• Check each kit against the current BOM/MTL revision, and allow no substitutions or alternates without documented Engineering or Quality approval.
• Record all kit and non-kit issues and returns, manage second-shift kit pull reconciliation, and escalate missing or late items.
• Enforce the material management area process and serve as the escalation point for builders on material availability.

Inventory Accuracy and Process Compliance

• Lead material audits, variance reconciliation, and root-cause analysis.
• Follow documented procedures and work instructions as written, hold the team to the same standard, and make process changes only through the approved change process.
• Track and report key metrics (inventory accuracy, dock-to-stock time, kit completeness, overdue transfers), keep Build Supervisors and management updated on shortages and risks, and lead corrective action and continuous improvement.

Safety, Housekeeping, and General

• Ensure the team follows Health, Safety, PPE, and housekeeping standards, and investigate and report incidents as required.
• Keep the receiving dock and crib organized and safe, and manage area supplies, scanners, and labeling equipment.
• Any additional duties as reasonably assigned by management.

REQUIRED SKILLS, EDUCATION, AND EXPERIENCE

Any combination of education and experience providing the required skill and knowledge for successful job performance will be considered. Typical qualifications would be:

• 5+ years of experience in inventory control, materials management, tool crib, shipping/receiving, or production support in a manufacturing environment (aerospace preferred), including 2+ years in a working lead or supervisory role.
• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and develop a team, including managing performance, scheduling, and multi-shift coverage.
• Strong knowledge of inventory discipline: location control, kitting, transactions (issue/return/transfer), cycle counting, and discrepancy resolution.
• Proficiency in SAP (goods receipt, PO verification, reporting such as ZPO or equivalent).
• Proficiency in MS Office, especially Excel and Outlook.
• Demonstrated ability to read and interpret BOMs, MTLs, or similar material lists.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to perform root-cause analysis on inventory variances.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work cross-functionally with builders, supervisors, Shipping, Receiving, Supply Chain, Quality, and support teams.
• Exceptional attention to detail, organization, and follow-through in a fast-paced build environment, demonstrated through measurable results such as inventory accuracy, receiving error rates, or audit findings.
• This position must meet Export Control Compliance requirements, therefore a "US Person" as defined by 22.C.F.R. is required

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree, or technical training, in supply chain, operations, manufacturing, logistics, or a related field.
• Experience in aerospace/defense manufacturing, tooling, or complex project builds.
• Experience with barcode labeling, scanners, and inventory software/IMS tools.
• Experience with lean/continuous improvement methods, and familiarity with audit and compliance requirements (e.g., AS9100).
• Forklift / powered industrial truck certification, or the ability to obtain it.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

• Directly supervises Material Management Specialists, Receiving staff, and other material Management Crib / Project Inventory staff including hiring, training, scheduling, performance management, and corrective aciton. As a working supervisor, also performans hands-on receiving and material management work alongside direct reports.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• May be required to travel to other site locations during the workday; occasional overnight domestic travel may be required.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Working conditions described here are representative of those that may be experienced by an employee on a daily basis while performing the functions of this job.

• Typically sits for extended periods at a computer workstation
• May access and work in the manufacturing plant
• While performing the duties of this job, employee may be exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes and airborne particles
• The employee may be exposed to vibration
• The employee is occasionally exposed to caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate
• May be required to travel to other site locations during the work day
• May be required to work weekends to meet department and business demands
• Work with safe manufacturing processes and understand that eyewear is mandatory in the manufacturing area.
• Knows that safety shoes are recommended in the manufacturing area

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

• Must be able to sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• Must be able to see, talk, hear, touch, feel and reach with hands and arms.
• Must be able to frequently walk and stand for short periods of time
• Must be able to lift and move up to 35lbs, occasionally lift and move objects up to 50lbs.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Employment is contingent upon successfully passing an employee reference check, criminal background check, and drug screening.

This position requires use of information that is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All applicants must be U.S. persons within the meaning of ITAR. ITAR defines a U.S. person as a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder').

Ascent Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws. If you have a disability and you believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or to submit an online application, please call toll-free +1 586-726-0500. This phone number is created exclusively to assist disabled job seekers whose disability prevents them from being able to apply online. Only messages left for this purpose will be returned. Messages left for other purposes, such as following up on an application or technical issues not related to a disability, will not receive a response.

BENEFITS

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• AD&D Insurance
• PTO
• 401k Match

No Unauthorized Referrals from Recruiters & Vendors

Please note that Ascent Aerospace does not seek or accept unsolicited resumes or offers from third party recruiters or staffing agencies associated with any published or unpublished employment opportunities. Any unsolicited information sent to Ascent Aerospace will be considered as unencumbered and free from any fee or charge whatsoever. Only members of our Human Resources Team have the authority to engage or authorize recruiting services, which must be agreed upon before the unsolicited resume or offer is received.