Inventory & Warehouse Optimization Lead (aka Logistics & Flow Continuous Improvement Expert)

Sterling Engineering, Inc.

Buffalo Grove, IL

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JOB DETAILS

SALARY

$50–$60 Per Hour

SKILLS

Analysis Skills, Business Operations, Consulting, Continuous Improvement, Cross-Functional, Customer Service Operations, Data Analysis, Data Quality, Distribution Services, ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), Employee Benefits, Establish Priorities, Finance, Financial Operations, Financial Trend Analysis, Genetics, Health Plan, Inventory Cycle Counts, Inventory Levels, Inventory Management, Inventory Planning, Inventory Reports, Inventory Transactions, Leadership, Lean Six Sigma, Logistics, Manufacturing, Manufacturing Operations, Materials Analysis, Operational Audit, Operational Improvement, Operational Support, Operations Planning, Operations Processes, Performance Metrics, Problem Solving Skills, Process Flow, Process Improvement, Purchasing/Procurement, Root Cause Analysis, SAP, SAP ECC (fka SAP R/3 and SAP ERP), SAP MM, Shipping/Receiving, Stock Keeping Unit (SKU), Supply Chain, Supply Chain Operations, Supply Chain Optimization, Sustainability, System Operations, Team Player, Transaction Processing/Management, Usability Engineering, Warehousing

LOCATION

Buffalo Grove, IL

POSTED

30+ days ago

Position Summary We are seeking an experienced Inventory Strategy & Warehouse Optimization Consultant to support the assessment, development, and initial execution of a comprehensive inventory and warehouse improvement program within a manufacturing environment. This role will focus on evaluating current inventory levels, warehouse material placement, SAP inventory/planning parameters, and operational material flow to identify opportunities for improved inventory accuracy, reduced excess and obsolete inventory, and increased warehouse efficiency. The ideal candidate brings a strong combination of analytical capability and operational experience and has successfully implemented measurable inventory and warehouse improvements in manufacturing or distribution environments. This is a highly execution-oriented engagement. The successful consultant must be capable of developing practical, actionable solutions grounded in operational reality, not simply delivering high-level assessments or theoretical recommendations. Scope of Work Inventory Strategy & Stock Level Assessment Evaluate current inventory levels across materials, SKUs, and warehouse locations/buildings Assess inventory segmentation, stocking strategies, and inventory health Identify excess, obsolete, slow-moving, and duplicate inventory opportunities Develop recommendations for target inventory levels, stocking policies, and inventory optimization opportunities Review inventory placement and storage strategy across buildings and operational areas Warehouse Material Flow & Storage Optimization Assess warehouse material flow between receiving, storage, production, and shipping areas Identify inefficiencies related to material movement, storage practices, location management, and inventory accessibility Evaluate warehouse layout, slotting practices, and storage utilization Recommend operational improvements to improve material flow and reduce handling inefficiencies SAP / ERP Inventory & Planning Parameter Assessment Review current SAP inventory and planning parameters including safety stock, reorder points, lead times, lot sizes, storage locations, and material master data accuracy Identify gaps between system settings and actual operational practices Recommend parameter adjustments and process improvements to improve alignment and inventory performance Inventory Governance & Operational Controls Evaluate inventory transaction processes and operational controls Assess inventory discrepancy trends and potential root causes Support improvement of inventory governance, reporting, and operational accountability processes Provide recommendations to improve long-term inventory process sustainability Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner with Supply Chain, Warehouse, Production, Procurement, Finance, Quality, and Customer Service teams Facilitate operational discussions and working sessions as needed Support prioritization of improvement opportunities based on operational and financial impact Expected Deliverables The consultant will be expected to provide practical, implementation-oriented outputs including: Current-state inventory assessment SKU/building-level inventory and storage analysis Inventory segmentation and stocking recommendations Excess and obsolete inventory identification SAP parameter assessment and recommended changes Warehouse material flow observations and improvement recommendations Prioritized operational improvement opportunities Root cause analysis of key inventory and warehouse issues KPI recommendations and reporting framework Action-oriented implementation roadmap with operational considerations Required Qualifications 7+ years of experience in inventory management, warehouse operations, supply chain optimization, or manufacturing operations Strong experience working within SAP or similar ERP systems Demonstrated experience improving inventory accuracy and reducing excess inventory Experience evaluating warehouse operations and material flow processes Strong analytical, problem-solving, and operational assessment skills Experience working within manufacturing and/or distribution environments Ability to work collaboratively with operational teams and leadership Preferred Qualifications SAP WM, EWM, MM, or PP experience Experience with inventory optimization and warehouse transformation initiatives Lean, Six Sigma, or Continuous Improvement experience Experience implementing inventory control or warehouse process improvements Advanced Excel and data analysis capabilities Success Measures Success in this engagement will be measured by: Identification of actionable inventory reduction opportunities Practicality and operational applicability of recommendations Alignment between ERP/system recommendations and operational realities Clarity and usability of implementation guidance Measurable opportunities identified for inventory accuracy and warehouse efficiency improvement Engagement Notes This engagement is intended to support hands-on operational improvement efforts already underway within the organization, including inventory accuracy and cycle count initiatives. The expectation is for a highly practical and execution-oriented partnership focused on actionable operational improvements and sustainable process enhancements. Title: Inventory & Warehouse Optimization ConsultantLocation: Buffalo Grove, ILHire Type: Long Term Contract (1+ year)Shift : 1st Compensation: $50-60/hrlyBenefits: 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: SAP experience Overview: We are seeking an experienced Inventory Strategy & Warehouse Optimization Consultant to lead a hands-on assessment and improvement initiative focused on inventory accuracy, warehouse efficiency, and material flow optimization within a manufacturing environment.This role is highly execution-focused and ideal for someone who can identify operational inefficiencies and implement practical, real-world solutions not just provide high-level recommendations.Job Duties: Evaluate inventory levels, warehouse storage strategies, and material flow processes Identify excess, obsolete, and slow-moving inventory opportunities Assess SAP/ERP inventory planning parameters including safety stock, reorder points, and lead times Recommend improvements for warehouse layout, slotting, storage utilization, and operational workflows Support inventory governance, reporting, and process improvement initiatives Partner cross-functionally with Supply Chain, Production, Warehouse, Finance, and Operations teams Qualifications: 7+ years of experience in inventory management, warehouse operations, or supply chain optimization Strong SAP or ERP system experience Proven success improving inventory accuracy and reducing excess inventory Experience within manufacturing and/or distribution environments Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement experience is a plus 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.

About the Company

Sterling Engineering, Inc.

Sterling Engineering has been a trusted partner for engineering, project management, and staffing solutions for over five decades. We provide exceptional engineering/technical recruitment and engineering project services to clients nationwide:

Engineering & Technical Recruitment - With our focus on engineering, technical, and IT, Sterling has the in-depth knowledge, industry expertise, and robust employee pipeline it takes to rapidly find talent for even the most difficult to fill positions. Sterling’s extensive recruitment methodology allows us to engage the most talented employees in the marketplace. We offer exciting work and career-building opportunities for our candidates, along with expert support at every step of the process.

Engineering Project Services – Our experienced, multi-disciplined team of project managers, engineers, and designers, led by licensed Professional Engineers (PE), provide project management, engineering, design, and Commissioning, Qualification, and Validation (CQV) to manufacturing, OEM, and R&D customers. We work on complex, highly technical projects across a number of industry sectors, and our ability to scale and seamlessly integrate at multiple levels of your organization is what differentiates us.

Sterling offers a unique combination of engineering solutions and Best of Staffing level service to help our clients and talent achieve their goals.

COMPANY SIZE

500 to 999 employees

INDUSTRY

Staffing/Employment Agencies

FOUNDED

1969

WEBSITE

http://www.sterling-engineering.com

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