Company Background

Ornua is a dairy co-operative which sells dairy products on behalf of its members, Ireland’s dairy processors and, in turn, Irish dairy farmers.  Founded in 1961, the Ornua Co-operative has become Ireland’s largest exporter of Irish dairy products, exporting to 110 countries worldwide. Headquartered in Dublin, it has annualized sales of over $4.3 billion and a global team of 2,900 employees. Ornua operates from 10 global business units, including 13 production facilities located worldwide.

The Ornua family is structured across two divisions: Ornua Foods and Ornua Ingredients. Ornua Foods is responsible for the marketing and sales of Ornua’s consumer brands including Kerrygold, Dubliner, Pilgrims Choice, Forto and BEO. Ornua Ingredients is responsible for the procurement of Irish and non-Irish dairy products and for the sale of ingredients to food manufacturing and foodservice customers around the world.

Ornua Ingredients North America is the largest of the four global Ornua Ingredients organizations worldwide, with USA-based processing and innovation that services customers across the western hemisphere.

Ornua’s Values

At Ornua, our Values lie at the core of everything that we do and how we behave both individually and as a business. Our five values, and their underlying behaviors, encourage us to Seek and Embrace New Ideas, Make It Happen, Be Our True Selves, Show You Care and Achieve Great Things Together.

Ornua’s Growth

At Ornua, our co-operative ethos lies at the heart of how we do business. We care passionately about driving sustainable, profitable growth, underpinned by our ambitious ‘Path to Prosper’ strategy. We have delivered significant growth in our core business, and we have ambitious plans for continued growth over the next five years.

WHY THIS ROLE IS VALUABLE

The Inventory Specialist plays a critical role in ensuring inventory accuracy and operational efficiency across all product types. Based at the Hilbert, WI production facility, this position directly supports Finance, Operations, Procurement, and Quality teams by maintaining precise inventory records, resolving discrepancies, and driving continuous improvement. The role is essential to safeguarding product integrity, optimizing supply chain performance, and supporting Ornua’s commitment to excellence and growth.

You will report directly to the Finance Operations Manager for Ornua Ingredients North America, headquartered in Hilbert, WI, with manufacturing facilities located in Hillsboro, Hilbert, and Whitehall, WI, as well as Byron, MN.

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

• Monitor inventory levels and aging, recommending action plans for timely usage and reclassification
• Lead and coordinate cycle counts, physical inventory audits, and inventory accuracy tracking
• Conduct inspections of 3rd party warehouses to ensure compliance with quality and safety standards
• Assist in Book-to-Book reconciliations with 3rd Party Warehouses
• Support daily Work Order calculations and collaborate with Inventory Accountants for accurate closings
• Investigate and resolve inventory discrepancies, including lot number variances and production losses
• Analyze inventory trends, variances, and root causes of inventory inaccuracies
• Liaise with Quality Assurance and Procurement to manage quarantined, expired, or damaged stock
• Support rework tracking, weight checks, and inventory adjustments
• Monitor warehouse processes and control points to ensure accurate tracking and accountability of inventory balances.
• Recommend and implement process improvements to reduce waste and enhance accuracy
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives and cross-functional projects
• Ensure compliance with FIFO, HACCP, FDA, and GMP standards
• Optimize inventory storage and layout for efficiency and safety.

KEY REQUIREMENTS – QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS:

Education & Experience

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel required
• Associate or bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field preferred
• Experience with WMS and/or ERP systems preferred (Microsoft Dynamics SL highly desired)
• 2+ years working experience in a manufacturing or warehouse environment preferred
• Forklift experience and familiarity with cheese/ingredient inventory preferred; candidates without prior forklift experience will be trained/certified
• Knowledge of HACCP, GMP, and traceability standards

Core Competencies

• Strong eye for detail and accuracy required.
• Detail-oriented, dependable, and responsive to internal stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to maintain strong commitment to safety and teamwork

Work Environment

• Requires on-site work both in office and production floor settings
• Includes work in refrigerated and temperature-controlled food manufacturing facility
• Requires adherence to strict hygiene and safety protocols

Ornua Ingredients North America - Certificated by the British Retail Consortium

Ornua Ingredients North America is an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will be provided with equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability status, or genetic information.

Ornua is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you require an accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please contact Ornua People Services at 833-450-2385 or peopleservicesus@ornua.com.