Job Title: Interim Supply Chain Manager (Contract)
Duration: 6–12 Months
Compensation: Up to $50/hour + Benefits (BCBS)
OTHER: Paid Holidays, PTO, 401k, Hybrid
Location: Near Evanston, IL
Industry: Manufacturing
We are partnering with a well-established and growing manufacturer with over 100 years of industry success to identify an Interim Supply Chain Manager. This is a high-impact, contract opportunity where you will play a key role in stabilizing and optimizing sourcing and transportation functions while supporting ongoing operational growth.
During the contract period, you will be eligible for benefits including medical (Blue Cross), dental, vision, 401(k), PTO, and paid holidays.
Key Responsibilities:
Sourcing & Procurement:
- Manage day-to-day sourcing activities across direct and indirect materials to support production requirements
- Identify, evaluate, and onboard new suppliers to improve cost, quality, and lead time performance
- Negotiate pricing, contracts, and supply agreements to drive cost savings and mitigate risk
- Monitor supplier performance using KPIs and implement corrective actions as needed
- Partner with engineering, operations, and planning teams to align sourcing strategies with production demands
- Support inventory optimization efforts, including safety stock levels and material availability
Transportation & Logistics:
- Oversee inbound and outbound transportation operations to ensure on-time delivery and cost efficiency
- Manage relationships with carriers, freight brokers, and third-party logistics providers (3PLs)
- Analyze freight spend and implement cost reduction initiatives across transportation modes (LTL, FTL, parcel, etc.)
- Optimize routing, consolidation, and shipping strategies to improve service levels
- Resolve escalated shipping, delivery, and logistics issues in real time
- Ensure compliance with all transportation regulations and documentation requirements
Process Improvement & Execution:
- Assess current supply chain processes and implement improvements to enhance efficiency and scalability
- Utilize ERP/MRP systems to manage purchasing, inventory, and logistics data
- Develop reporting and dashboards to track supply chain performance metrics
- Act as a cross-functional leader to drive alignment between procurement, operations, and logistics
Qualifications:
- 5+ years of experience in supply chain, sourcing, or logistics within a manufacturing environment
- Proven experience in supplier negotiation, cost reduction, and transportation management
- Strong understanding of ERP/MRP systems
- Ability to operate in a fast-paced, hands-on environment with minimal ramp-up time
- Excellent problem-solving and communication skills
Why This Opportunity:
- Join a stable, century-old manufacturer experiencing growth and transformation
- High-visibility role with immediate impact on operations
- Competitive hourly rate with full benefits during the contract period
S
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.
500 to 999 employees
Staffing/Employment Agencies
http://www.sterling-engineering.com