Inventory Specialist

Parker; Manitowoc (WI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Parker Hannifin is seeking an Inventory Control Specialist to maintain accurate inventory levels and ensure timely material availability for the hose assembly plant. This role performs cycle counts, processes receiving and issuing transactions, and collaborates with production, purchasing, shipping and quality teams to maintain inventory accuracy.

The position requires hands-on attention to detail, ERP/WMS proficiency (SAP/JDE), and the ability to support continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• Associate degree preferred in Supply Chain, Operations or Business
• 2-4 years of experience in ERP systems (SAP, JDE, Mainframe)
• 2-4 years in manufacturing or warehouse environment
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel; strong communication skills; forklift certification training offered in-house

Responsibilities

• Perform cycle counts and physical inventories; investigate and resolve variances
• Maintain inventory accuracy in ERP/WMS by entering receipts, issues, transfers and adjustments
• Receive, inspect and record lot/serial numbers for incoming material; stage for putaway
• Issue and stage materials for production orders; monitor kitting and kanban replenishment
• Reconcile discrepancies between system and physical stock; perform root cause analysis
• Coordinate scrap, returns and quarantine with Quality and Production
• Generate inventory reports and KPIs; present findings to management
• Support purchasing with lead-time, usage and safety stock data to optimize reorder points
• Maintain organized, safe storage areas; ensure FIFO/LIFO/FEFO handling
• Train production or warehouse staff on material handling and inventory procedures
• Participate in 5S, Kaizen and Lean initiatives to improve inventory processes

Skills

Strong communication skills

Education

Associate’s Degree

Tools

SAP

JDE (JD Edwards)

Mainframe

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Position Summary

The Inventory Control Specialist is responsible for maintaining accurate inventory levels and material flow for the hose assembly plant. This role performs cycle counts and inventories, processes receiving and issuing transactions, analyzes inventory discrepancies, and supports production with timely material availability. The role is hands‑on, requires attention to detail, and works closely with production, purchasing‑, shipping, and quality teams to ensure inventory accuracy and uninterrupted assembly operations.

Responsibilities

1. Execute cycle counts and physical inventories according to schedule; investigate and resolve variances.


2. Maintain inventory accuracy in the ERP/WMS system (e.g., SAP, Infor, Oracle) by entering receipts, issues, transfers, and adjustments promptly and accurately.


3. Receive incoming material: verify quantities, inspect for damage, record lot/serial numbers, and stage parts for putaway.


4. Issue and stage materials for production orders; monitor kitting and kanban replenishment to support continuous assembly flow.


5. Reconcile discrepancies between system records and physical stock; root cause analysis and corrective action tracking.


6. Coordinate scrap, returns, and quarantine processes with Quality and Production.


7. Generate inventory reports and KPIs (inventory accuracy, cycle count completion, stockouts, days of inventory) and present findings to management.


8. Support purchasing with lead‑time, usage, and safety stock data to optimize reorder points.


9. Maintain organized, safe, and labeled storage areas; ensure proper FIFO/LIFO/FEFO handling as required.


10. Train and assist production or warehouse staff on proper material handling and inventory procedures.


11. Participate in continuous improvement initiatives (5S, Kaizen) to reduce waste and improve inventory processes.


12. Participate in peer‑based teams (i.e., Natural High Performance Teams), and work with groups to initiate and implement programs such as Lean Manufacturing and 5‑S.


13. Work safely in accordance with regulations, standards, and procedures in a manner that eliminates risk to health and the environment. Notify leadership of unsafe conditions or practices unlawful activities and activities which present unreasonable health and/or environmental risk. Report all safety and/or environmental incidents to leadership immediately.


14. Ability to work overtime as required, including extended shifts & weekends, to meet business needs.

Qualifications

Associate’s Degree Preferred
Supply Chain Management, Operations, or Business preferred
2-4 years of experience working in an ERP system (Mainframe, SAP, JDE, etc)
2-4 years of experience working in a manufacturing or warehouse environment.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel required.
Strong communication skills.
Willing to become forklift certified. Will train in house.

Parker Hannifin

Parker Hannifin is a Fortune 250 global leader in motion and control technologies. For more than a century, we’ve enabled engineering breakthroughs that make energy cleaner, transportation safer, medical treatments more effective, and manufacturing more efficient.

With empowered team members in more than 40 countries, Parker serves customers across aerospace & defense, energy, HVAC & refrigeration, in‑plant & industrial equipment, off‑highway and transportation.

Our scale is global, but our purpose is personal. We enable breakthroughs that improve lives, strengthen communities and create a brighter future.

Our Purpose — Enabling Engineering Breakthroughs that Lead to a Better Tomorrow — comes to life through our people‑first culture where teamwork drives performance, inclusion fuels innovation and growth is encouraged. This environment fosters collaboration and empowers team members from engineering and manufacturing to finance, supply chain, human resources, information technology and beyond.

By combining deep expertise with an entrepreneurial spirit, we help customers succeed in markets that demand performance, reliability, and sustainability.

As we look to the future, Parker is advancing initiatives in energy efficiency and sustainability while developing the next generation of talent and leaders to engineer a better tomorrow.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Parker is an Equal Opportunity and Affi­ mative Action Employer. Parker is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job related reasons regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, gender identity, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. However, U.S. Citizenship, Permanent Residency or other appropriate status is required for certain positions, in accord with U.S. import & export regulations.

(“Minority / Female / Disability / Veteran / VEVRAA Federal Contractor”)

If you would like more information about Equal Employment Opportunity as an applicant under the law, please go to Employees & Job Applicants | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Drug Tests

Drug-Free Workplace

In accordance with Parker’s policies and applicable state laws, Parker provides for a drug‑free workplace. Therefore, all applicants seeking employment with Parker will be subject to drug testing as a condition of employment.