Inventory Operator

AkzoNobel; Waukegan (IL); On-site; USD 85,411,000 - 103,320,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits beginning Day 1

Vacation 10 days

Personal 5 days

Holiday 11 days

401K with 6% match

Bonus up to 4%

Medical with HSA

Tuition Reimbursement

Career growth opportunities

Diversity networks

Referral bonus

Job summary

AkzoNobel in Illinois seeks an Inventory Operator to manage material transactions, cycle counts, and SAP-based inventory controls. You will coordinate between the site and off-site warehouses, ensuring accurate records and timely movements of materials.

The role requires forklift operations, ERP/SAP experience, and a proactive approach to reconciling discrepancies while supporting audits and safety standards. This position offers benefits and opportunities for growth.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; associate degree preferred.
• Experience with ERP or warehouse management systems, SAP preferred.
• Forklift certification or ability to obtain it on hire.

Responsibilities

• Perform and maintain accurate inventory transactions, corrections, and material movements within the Raw Material Warehouse and OneSAP.
• Conduct cycle counts and physical inventory verification for raw materials and other locations.
• Research cycle count variances and validate discrepancies before adjustments are completed.
• Investigate and resolve inventory discrepancies involving physical inventory, system quantities, and locations.
• Process inventory adjustments following certified counts and reconcile bulk inventory.
• Manage scrap inventory transactions and ensure proper allocation and removal from inventory.
• Ship internal packages using the FedEx system as required.
• Support internal and external audits and continuous improvement of inventory accuracy.

Skills

ERP experience

SAP

Forklift certified

Inventory control

Cycle counts

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associates preferred

Tools

OneSAP

Job description

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Inventory Operator

Date: Aug 18, 2026

About AkzoNobel

Since 1792, we’ve been supplying the innovative paints and coatings that help to color people’s lives and protect what matters most. Our world class portfolio of brands – including Dulux, International, Sikkens and Interpon – is trusted by customers around the globe. We’re active in more than 150 countries and use our expertise to sustain and enhance the fabric of everyday life. Because we believe every surface is an opportunity. It’s what you’d expect from a pioneering and long-established paints company that’s dedicated to providing sustainable solutions and preserving the best of what we have today – while creating an even better tomorrow. Let’s paint the future together.

Key Responsibilities

Inventory Control, Reconciliation & Systems

• Perform and maintain accurate inventory transactions, corrections, and material movements within the Raw Material Warehouse and OneSAP.
• Conduct scheduled and ad hoc cycle counts and physical inventory verification for raw materials, ADU, Kanban, PR03, aerosols, bulk materials, and other inventory locations.
• Research cycle count variances and validate discrepancies before inventory adjustments or reconciliation are completed.
• Investigate and resolve inventory discrepancies involving physical inventory, system quantities, material locations, batch consumption, and piece counts.
• Process inventory adjustments following certified counts, including container quantities and label corrections.
• Reconcile bulk inventory and investigate discrepancies between physical and system inventory.
• Manage scrap inventory transactions and ensure materials are properly allocated and removed from available inventory.
• Process and reconcile inventory returned from Pre-Batch and Batchmaking.
• Return materials associated with cancelled production orders to inventory and ensure materials are properly identified and put away.
• Support Pre-Batch, Batchmaking, Warehouse, and other departments in researching missing stock and inventory discrepancies.
• Review and correct batch ticket consumption when incorrect quantities are confirmed.
• Research and clear applicable SAP COGI errors and support maintaining LL01 at acceptable levels.
• Create, maintain, and track cycle count accuracy KPIs and identify recurring inventory accuracy issues.
• Schedule and coordinate incoming and outgoing materials between the site and off-site warehouse locations, including aerosol inventory.
• Support physical inventory activities, inventory audits, and inventory accuracy improvement initiatives.
• Ship internal packages using the FedEx shipping system as required.
• Escalate unresolved inventory discrepancies, system issues, or material availability concerns to the appropriate supervisor or functional owner.
• Maintain accurate documentation and records associated with inventory transactions and reconciliation activities.
• Follow established procedures, internal controls, quality requirements, and inventory management best practices.

Additional Responsibilities

• Operate forklifts, powered industrial trucks, pallet jacks, and other material-handling equipment as required.
• Assist with warehouse and material-handling activities based on operational needs.
• Participate in continuous improvement activities related to inventory accuracy, material flow, and warehouse efficiency.
• Support internal and external inventory audits as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned based on business needs.

Safety, Quality & Environmental Responsibilities

• Perform all work in accordance with site safety requirements, Life-Saving Rules, procedures, and established safe work practices.
• Immediately report unsafe conditions, incidents, inventory concerns, or material discrepancies to the appropriate supervisor.
• Follow applicable environmental, health, safety, and quality policies and procedures.
• Maintain good housekeeping and proper material storage standards within assigned work areas.
• Understand how inventory accuracy and material handling activities contribute to product quality, operational performance, and customer satisfaction.

Job Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Associate degree, college coursework, or additional training in supply chain, logistics, inventory management, or a related field preferred.
• Previous experience in inventory control, warehousing, manufacturing, distribution, or material handling preferred.
• Experience working within an ERP or warehouse management system required; SAP experience strongly preferred.
• Previous experience performing cycle counts, inventory reconciliation, or inventory adjustments preferred.
• Forklift certification required or ability to obtain certification upon hire.

Compensation for this role $33/hour. (OT at 1.5X after 40 hrs. weekly)

• Benefits beginning Day 1
• Generous vacation (10 days), personal (5 days) and holiday (11 days) pay
• 401K retirement savings with 6% company match
• Annual bonus upto 4%
• Medical insurance with HSA
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Career growth opportunitiesActive Diversity and Inclusion Networks
• Employee referral bonus

At AkzoNobel we are highly committed to ensuring an inclusive and respectful workplace where all employees can be their best self. We strive to embrace diversity in a context of tolerance. Our talent acquisition process plays an integral part in this journey, as setting the foundations for a diverse environment. For this reason we train and educate on the implications of our Unconscious Bias in order for our TA and hiring managers to be mindful of them and take corrective actions when applicable. In our organization, all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age or disability.