Ichalai Xavier

Results-driven Inventory & Stores Management professional with over 10 years of experience across hospitality, airline catering, FMCG, warehousing, and perishable stock environments. Proven expertise in inventory control, food and beverage stock management, cold chain operations, loss prevention, ERP stock accuracy, procurement coordination, and warehouse supervision. Demonstrated ability to maintain 98% inventory accuracy, reduce inventory variance by 20%, decrease stockouts by 25%, and reduce inventory holding costs by 15% through effective stock control, cycle counting, demand forecasting, process improvement, and supplier coordination.

Experienced in managing high-volume, 24/7 operations while maintaining strict FIFO/FEFO, HACCP, food hygiene, health and safety, expiry control, and regulatory compliance. Strong team leader with proven ability to train staff, improve operational efficiency, and support management through accurate inventory reporting and KPI analysis.

INVENTORY MANAGER - NAS Airport Services - Nairobi, Kenya

(2024-01)

• Oversee daily inventory operations within a high-volume distribution centre supplying F&B, FMCG, and perishable products to airline and hospitality clients.
• Maintain approximately 98% inventory accuracy through systematic cycle counting, stock reconciliation, and root-cause analysis of variances.
• Reduced inventory variance by 20% through improved stock control procedures and process standardization.
• Implemented barcode tracking processes that reduced stock shortages by 25% and improved replenishment efficiency for kitchen operations.
• Manage receiving, put-away, cold room storage, picking, and dispatch while maintaining strict FIFO, FEFO, cold chain, and expiry control procedures.
• Monitor stock levels and coordinate replenishment to ensure uninterrupted supply to operational departments.
• Prepare and analyze daily, weekly, and monthly inventory reports and present key performance indicators to senior management.
• Collaborate with procurement teams and suppliers to maintain optimum stock levels and reduce unnecessary inventory holding costs.
• Contributed to a 15% reduction in inventory holding costs through improved forecasting, stock optimization, and supplier coordination.
• Train and supervise 8+ warehouse and inventory staff on food safety, hygiene, stock control, and loss-prevention procedures.
• Ensure warehouse activities comply with organizational policies, food safety requirements, and health and safety standards.

ASSISTANT STORES MANAGER - NAS Servair - Nairobi, Kenya

(2022-01 - 2024-01)

• Supported the management of receiving, Goods Received Notes (GRN), stock movement, storage, and dispatch of F&B and hotel consumables.
• Conducted regular physical stock takes and cycle counts to maintain accurate ERP inventory records.
• Reconciled physical stock against system balances and investigated discrepancies to improve data integrity.
• Monitored slow-moving, ageing, and obsolete stock and recommended corrective actions to reduce waste and financial losses.
• Worked closely with procurement teams to raise purchase requirements and coordinate replenishment based on demand and consumption patterns.
• Enforced FIFO, FEFO, storage standards, expiry controls, and shrinkage prevention procedures.
• Prepared weekly inventory and consumption reports to support management decision-making and cost control.
• Supported warehouse teams in maintaining clean, organized, and compliant storage areas.
• Assisted in monitoring stock availability to prevent operational disruptions and unnecessary stockouts.

WAREHOUSE SUPERVISOR - NAS AIRPORT SERVICES - Kenya

(2016-01 - 2020-12)

• Supervised daily warehouse receiving, storage, stock handling, and dispatch operations.
• Managed the receiving and documentation of imported goods and ensured proper verification of delivered quantities and supporting documents.
• Coordinated KRA and KEPHIS clearance procedures and supported customs documentation processes.
• Ensured goods were properly documented, stored, and handled in accordance with regulatory and organizational requirements.
• Supervised warehouse personnel and coordinated daily work schedules to ensure efficient operations.
• Monitored stock movement and maintained accurate warehouse records.
• Ensured proper storage conditions and compliance with workplace health and safety requirements.
• Liaised with suppliers, transporters, and relevant stakeholders to support smooth movement of goods.

DIPLOMA - PURCHASING & SUPPLIES MANAGEMENT - University of Nairobi

DIPLOMA - CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATION - Kenya School of Revenue Administration (KESRA)

CERTIFICATE - INVENTORY MANAGEMENT & SUPPLY CHAIN - University of Nairobi (UoN) (2017-01 - 2017-12)