Inventory Specialist

Parker Hannifin Corporation; Manitowoc (WI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Parker Hannifin is seeking an Inventory Control Specialist in Manitowoc, WI to manage cycle counts, material flow, and inventory accuracy across production, purchasing, shipping and quality teams.

The role requires hands-on attention to detail, ERP/WMS proficiency (SAP, Infor, Oracle), and ability to support continuous improvement with 5S and Lean initiatives. forklift certification training is provided.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree preferred in supply chain management, operations or business.
• 2–4 years' ERP experience (Mainframe, SAP, JDE, etc).
• 2–4 years in manufacturing or warehouse environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel.
• Strong communication skills.
• Willing to become forklift certified (in-house training).

Responsibilities

• Execute cycle counts and inventories; investigate variances.
• Maintain inventory accuracy in the ERP/WMS (SAP, Infor, Oracle).
• Receive incoming material; verify quantities and record lot/serials.
• Issue and stage materials for production orders and kanban replenishment.
• Reconcile discrepancies; perform root-cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Generate inventory reports and KPIs; present findings to management.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Forklift cert

Education

Associate's Degree preferred in SCM/Operations/Business

Tools

SAP

Infor

Oracle

Mainframe

JDE

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

Additional Comments:

The essential functions have been provided as example of the type of work performed by employees assigned to this job classification. The company reserves the right to modify the work assignments and/or to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions. The job description is not intended to be an inclusive list of duties and responsibilities. It is intended to describe the general nature of the position.

Parker is an Equal Opportunity and Aff…
… (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.

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.