Job Description

Role Purpose

The Inventory Spares Controller is responsible for managing, controlling, and optimizing engineering spares inventory to ensure critical materials availability, cost control, and inventory accuracy. The role supports plant availability and maintenance execution while minimizing carrying costs, obsolescence, and stock losses in compliance with company and statutory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Inventory & Spares Control

• Control and administer engineering spares inventory for mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, and processing plant equipment
• Maintain correct stock levels for critical, insurance, and fast‑moving spares
• Prevent stock‑outs, over‑stocking, and obsolete inventory
• Support standardisation and rationalisation of spares

Inventory Planning & Optimization

• Classify spares using criticality, ABC, and risk‑based methodologies
• Set and review reorder levels, minimum/maximum stock quantities, and safety stocks
• Identify long‑lead and high‑risk spares requiring forward planning
• Support inventory reduction and working‑capital optimization initiatives

ERP / CMMS & Data Management

• Maintain accurate spares master data, bills of materials (BOMs), and asset links in ERP / CMMS systems
• Ensure correct coding, descriptions, units of measure, and storage locations
• Monitor inventory transactions, usage trends, and data integrity
• Support continuous improvement of inventory data quality

Stock Counts & Audits

• Plan and conduct cycle counts, stock takes, and audits
• Investigate and resolve stock variances and discrepancies
• Implement corrective actions to prevent repeat variances
• Support internal and external audits with accurate documentation

Engineering & Maintenance Interface

• Work closely with engineering, maintenance, and planners to understand spares requirements
• Support maintenance planning through availability of correct spares kits
• Assist with shutdown and major maintenance spares planning
• Identify opportunities for spares commonality and substitution

Procurement & Supplier Coordination

• Support procurement with spares specifications, lead times, and technical requirements
• Review supplier performance related to spares availability and quality
• Assist with expediting critical spares and managing emergency requirements
• Support contract and OEM spares management initiatives

Safety, Health & Compliance

• Comply with the Mine Health & Safety Act (MHSA) and site safety procedures
• Ensure hazardous and specialised spares are stored and handled correctly
• Maintain good housekeeping standards in stores areas
• Ensure compliance with company inventory and governance policies

Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Prepare regular inventory reports (stock value, turns, critical spares, obsolete stock)
• Track inventory KPIs and identify improvement opportunities
• Support continuous improvement of inventory, stores, and supply chain processes
• Provide inventory insights to operations and management

Qualifications & Experience

• Diploma or Degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Inventory Management, Engineering, or related field, or relevant experience
• Minimum 3–5 years' experience in spares or inventory control, preferably in mining or heavy industry
• Strong knowledge of engineering spares and maintenance environments
• Experience working with ERP / CMMS systems

Desirable

• Experience in zinc or base‑metal mining operations
• Exposure to underground mining and/or mineral processing plants
• Training in inventory optimization, asset management, or reliability principles

Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical and organizational skills
• High attention to detail and data accuracy
• Good understanding of maintenance and engineering requirements
• Ability to interpret inventory data and trends
• Strong communication and stakeholder‑engagement skills
• Results‑driven with a strong cost‑control mindset

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Spares availability for critical equipment
• Inventory accuracy and variance reduction
• Inventory turnover and stock value optimization
• Reduction of obsolete and slow‑moving stock
• Stock‑out incidents and emergency purchases
• Audit and compliance performance