Logistics & warehouse control role

Inventory Controller (Bestandskontrolleur)

This page describes typical expectations for Inventory Controllers on Germany-based warehouse projects with English-speaking onboarding. The role focuses on cycle counting, stock accuracy, variance investigation, and clean inventory master data.

Location: Germany (project-based) Language: English onboarding Pay baseline: from €13.90 gross/hour (statutory minimum, 01.01.2026) Focus: inventory accuracy & audits
CV is mandatory.
We do not review candidates without a CV. Use the CV builder: https://mavial.pl/en/cv.html.
Role scope

What you will do (in practical terms)

Inventory Controllers protect stock integrity. You verify quantities and locations, investigate discrepancies, document root causes, and help the site keep a stable “single source of truth” in the WMS.

Counting & accuracy

  • Execute cycle counts (ABC / risk-based) using RF scanners and WMS tasks.
  • Validate bin labels, locations, and packaging units; correct mapping issues.
  • Perform recount logic and tolerance checks (first count → recount → supervisor verification where required).
  • Support full physical inventories and audit preparation when scheduled.

Variance investigation

  • Analyze discrepancies: picking errors, receiving errors, mis-slots, damages, and master-data mismatches.
  • Document findings with clear, time-stamped notes (audit trail mindset).
  • Coordinate with team leads on containment actions (freeze bin, isolate pallets, quarantine zone).
  • Recommend prevention steps (label standards, scan discipline, replenishment rules, training gaps).
KPIs & tools

What “good” looks like

  • High inventory accuracy, low recount rate, traceable adjustments, and clean variance documentation.
  • Confident use of RF scanners and WMS transactions (move, count, adjustment request, status checks).
  • Basic Excel for reporting: filters, pivot tables, reconciliation lists, and exception tracking.
Shift readinessYes (site-dependent)
Work paceStructured, accuracy-first
SafetyMandatory compliance
Candidate fit

Short candidate portrait

You are detail-oriented, calm under pressure, and comfortable challenging “almost correct” stock results. You communicate clearly, keep records, and prefer process discipline over improvisation.

Minimum expectations

Requirements (detailed)

  • CV in English (PDF preferred) with real project or warehouse experience—mandatory for screening.
  • Experience with inventory tasks: cycle counts, recounts, bin audits, discrepancy resolution (even if partial).
  • WMS/RF scanning discipline: you understand that “not scanned” means “not done”.
  • Basic Excel skills for lists and exceptions; you can work with item/location tables.
  • Physical readiness: walking/standing, moving within zones, occasional handling of cartons/pallet labels.
  • German A1–A2 is a strong advantage for safety briefings and site signage (not always mandatory).
Compensation

Pay baseline (gross)

All rates on this page are stated as gross. We do not offer below the statutory minimum wage in Germany: €13.90 gross/hour from 01 January 2026. Actual project rates depend on site, shift model, and verified experience.

Important: final payroll details (tax class, deductions, allowances) depend on your personal situation and the assignment model. This page is informational and not legal or tax advice.
Working conditions

Working with a Polish employer on a German project

Many assignments are coordinated by a Polish company and performed on sites in Germany. The operational goal is simple: stable onboarding, clear rules, and predictable reporting—so your work is verifiable and compliant.

  • English-speaking onboarding and day-one process briefing (scanning rules, zones, escalation routes).
  • Shift model depends on the site (day/evening/night where applicable); break rules follow site procedures.
  • Workwear/PPE requirements are communicated before start; safety rules are non-negotiable.
  • Attendance and scan discipline are tracked; repeated “off-system” actions typically lead to removal from the project.
  • Accommodation/transport options may exist depending on the project; availability and terms are confirmed individually.

We focus on operational transparency: written task scope, clear reporting line, and documented inventory actions. This reduces disputes, improves payroll accuracy, and protects your work record.

Work authorization (important)

Reality check: Germany requires a legal route

Language is not the only factor. For non-EU candidates, eligibility depends on the correct residence/work pathway and document verification. Skilled profiles typically have more realistic options than entry-level warehouse roles.

  • Skilled worker route (§18a / §18b): relevant if your qualification can be recognized and matches the job profile.
  • Other regulated pathways: depend on nationality, sector, employer setup, and current administrative practice.
  • Entry-level reality: purely “no-skill” profiles are harder to place legally and sustainably.

If you also need clarity on Polish-side employment formalities and permits, use this internal information page: https://mavial.pl/zezwolenie.html

This is general information and not legal advice. Final eligibility depends on your nationality, documents, employer requirements, and authorities.

Documents

Prepare these before applying

  • CV in English (PDF) + current phone/email
  • Passport scan + current location (country/city)
  • Inventory-related proof (references, certificates, internal training logs) if available
  • Short project summary: site type, dates, WMS/RF tools, count methods used
  • Any equipment licenses (only if you will also operate MHE on site)

Strong documentation reduces verification time and improves response rates.

How to apply

Fast, structured application

  1. Create/Upload your CV: mavial.pl/en/cv.html
  2. Send your profile via the contact page: mavial.pl/kontakt.html
  3. We review fit, verify documents, and contact you if the profile matches active demand.

No CV — no review. This rule protects processing time and ensures consistent screening.

Role story (anti-template module)

Why inventory control exists on real sites

On busy warehouses, most “inventory problems” are not theft—they are small process breaks: a pallet moved without a scan, a pick shorted under time pressure, a receiving mismatch that never got closed. Inventory control is the function that turns these small breaks into documented fixes.

Your day alternates between counting and investigation. The goal is not only to correct numbers, but to prevent the same variance from repeating.

Note: This section is intentionally structured with a page-level uniqueness module to reduce category-wide duplication patterns while keeping the page readable.

FAQ

Inventory Controller (Germany) — common questions

Is this role only “counting”, or also analysis?
It is both. Counting is the trigger; analysis closes the loop. Sites expect you to record evidence, identify likely root causes (mis-slot, receiving mismatch, pick error, master-data issue), and escalate correctly.
What tools should I be comfortable with?
RF scanning is fundamental. You should also be able to work inside a WMS task flow (count tasks, bin checks, stock status), and use Excel to track exceptions and reconciliation lists.
Do I need German?
English onboarding is possible. However, basic German (A1–A2) is a strong advantage for safety briefings, signage, and short operational messages. Requirements depend on the site.
What is the minimum pay baseline for Germany from 01.01.2026?
The statutory minimum wage baseline is €13.90 gross per hour from January 1, 2026. Project rates may be higher based on shifts and experience.
How are discrepancies handled on professional sites?
Typically: first count → recount → verification → documented adjustment request (approval rules vary). You are expected to keep an audit trail: who counted, where, when, what evidence, and what containment action was taken.
What documents make my application stronger?
A precise CV plus a short project list (site type, dates, tasks, WMS/RF tools, count method) significantly improves screening. Include any internal training, audits supported, or process responsibilities you held.
Is accommodation guaranteed?
Accommodation/transport options can exist depending on the project, but they are not universal. Availability and terms are confirmed individually after profile verification.
Why is “No CV — no review” strict?
Inventory roles are verification-heavy. A CV is needed to confirm stability, tool exposure, and accountability. Without a CV, the risk of mismatch is too high for operational projects.
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