Inventory Management & Purchasing Officer

About the role

The Inventory Management & Purchasing Officer is responsible for procuring forensic laboratory supplies and maintaining accurate inventory records. The role supports both Finance and Procurement functions to ensure laboratory consumables are available, correctly accounted for, and compliant with relevant policies.

Key responsibilities

• Maintain laboratory inventory integrity through regular stocktakes, accurate record‑keeping, and inventory registers.
• Create purchase requisitions and purchase orders for laboratory consumables and reconcile them with receipts.
• Generate goods receipts, verify pricing and units of measure, and ensure accurate data entry.
• Conduct daily perpetual stock counts or annual stocktakes in line with the Department of Justice Finance Management Practice Manual (FMPM).
• Minimise waste by reviewing stock usage, setting minimum levels and reorder points.
• Investigate and report discrepancies, unusual usage, and wastage, providing corrective advice to Finance.
• Develop and update work instructions, manuals and procedures for inventory control.
• Prepare monthly reports, maintain financial records, and ensure compliance with legislative and policy requirements.
• Prepare invoices and accounts payable extracts for timely financial processing.
• Assist scientific and external staff with inventory requests and liaise with suppliers.
• Advise on sourcing of rarely used laboratory supplies using alternative supply processes.
• Ensure compliance with Workplace Health and Safety requirements, including manual handling and emergency procedures.

Required profile

• Experience in inventory control, stocktaking and procurement, preferably within a laboratory or similar technical environment.
• Familiarity with finance and procurement procedures and ability to produce accurate reports.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to investigate discrepancies.
• Capability to develop and maintain procedural documentation.

Required skills

What we offer

• Opportunity to work within a forensic laboratory supporting critical scientific operations.
• Exposure to finance and procurement processes in a government‑aligned environment.