Inventory Coordinator | 1st Shift

Title: Inventory Coordinator
Location: Manteno, IL
Hire Type: Contract To Hire
Shift : 1st
Compensation: $22.00 - $24.00/hour
Benefits: As a contract employee of Sterling, you are eligible to receive a Full Employee Benefits Package that includes paid time off, paid holidays, 3 medical plans to choose from, dental & vision plans, 401(k), and an Employee Stock Ownership (ESOP) plan.
Must have Skill Set: 3+ years of warehouse, inventory control, or distribution experience; cycle counting; inventory reconciliation; Excel; inventory management systems; strong attention to detail

Overview:
 The Inventory Coordinator is responsible for maintaining accurate and organized inventory throughout a food manufacturing facility. This position supports production and warehouse operations by conducting cycle counts, reconciling inventory discrepancies, monitoring inventory movement, and ensuring transactions are accurately recorded within the inventory management system. The Inventory Coordinator will work closely with Warehouse, Production, Quality Assurance, and other departments to improve inventory accuracy, support efficient operations, and maintain compliance with food safety and company standards.

Job Duties: 

• Conduct daily cycle counts of raw materials, ingredients, packaging materials, finished goods, and other inventory
• Investigate, document, and reconcile discrepancies between physical inventory and system records
• Perform and verify inventory transactions including production builds, adjustments, transfers, and consumption
• Assist with scheduled physical inventory counts and audits
• Review material consumption and production usage to ensure accurate inventory reporting
• Work with Production and Warehouse teams to resolve inventory issues that may impact operations
• Support receiving, storage, movement, and distribution of materials
• Monitor inventory organization, labeling, identification, and storage practices
• Maintain accurate lot tracking and inventory rotation using FIFO and FEFO principles
• Monitor expiration dates and communicate concerns involving aging, expired, damaged, or improperly stored inventory
• Identify inventory shortages, overages, and discrepancies that could impact production or order fulfillment
• Generate and review inventory reports to identify trends and recurring issues
• Communicate inventory findings, adjustments, and concerns to leadership
• Support continuous improvement efforts related to inventory accuracy and control
• Follow OSHA requirements, GMPs, food safety standards, and company safety procedures
• Maintain accurate inventory documentation, transaction records, and supporting reports

Qualifications: 

 • Must be at least 18 years of age
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in warehouse, inventory control, or distribution
• Hands-on experience conducting cycle counts, investigating discrepancies, and maintaining accurate inventory records
• Working knowledge of inventory control procedures, warehouse operations, and inventory reconciliation
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and computerized inventory management systems
• Ability to accurately enter, review, and maintain inventory transactions
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills related to inventory discrepancies
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities and meet operational deadlines
• Ability to work independently while collaborating with cross-functional teams
• Food manufacturing or food distribution inventory experience preferred
• ERP or WMS experience preferred
• Familiarity with lot tracking, traceability, expiration-date management, FIFO, and FEFO preferred
• Knowledge of GMPs, food safety, and warehouse safety procedures preferred
• Experience supporting physical inventories, production transactions, and inventory reconciliation preferred
• Ability to work in refrigerated, frozen, and ambient warehouse environments
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and perform a combination of computer-based and physical warehouse work

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.