Job Description

Shipping Lead – Contract-to-Hire | Lake Zurich, IL

A growing manufacturing company in the northwest suburbs of Chicago is looking for a Shipping Lead to join its team on a contract-to-hire basis. This is an excellent opportunity for a hands-on shipping/warehouse professional who is ready to take the next step into leadership and make a real impact within a growing organization.

What makes this opportunity stand out:

• $23–$26/hour, with flexibility up to $28/hour.

• Contract-to-Hire with a strong opportunity for long-term growth

• Quarterly profit-sharing once hired permanently — typically several hundred dollars to $1,000+ per quarter

• Opportunity to work directly with company leadership

• Strong potential for career advancement as the company continues to grow

• Collaborative, close-knit manufacturing environment with approximately 25 employees

• 1st Shift: 7:00 AM–3:30 PM

• Potential for approximately 5 hours of OT per week and occasional Saturday work

• 75% individual medical, dental, and vision coverage once permanent

• 401(k) and PTO

About the Role:

This is a working leadership position overseeing a small team of three employees within the Shipping/Receiving department. You will be responsible for coordinating daily shipping priorities, ensuring materials are available for production, maintaining inventory accuracy, and keeping customer orders moving on schedule.

You will work closely with Production, Purchasing, and suppliers to identify and resolve material shortages and will remain hands-on throughout the day by:

• Picking and packing customer orders

• Receiving and putting away incoming materials

• Organizing warehouse inventory

• Operating a forklift

• Assisting with product assembly when needed

• Reviewing daily shipping priorities and identifying potential production/material shortages

• Monitoring inventory and following up on open work orders

• Providing direction and accountability to a team of three

• Identifying opportunities to improve processes and department efficiency

What We're Looking For:

• 3+ years of shipping, receiving, warehouse, or inventory experience in a discrete manufacturing environment

• Someone who wants to grow into leadership and take ownership of a department

• Previous formal leadership experience is a plus, but the desire and ability to lead is more important

• High-energy, self-motivated individual who isn't satisfied with simply maintaining the status quo

• ERP experience and strong Microsoft Excel skills

• Forklift experience

• Ability to regularly lift up to 50 lbs.

• Strong communication and organizational skills

• Experience working with Production, Purchasing, and/or suppliers is a plus

• UPS WorldShip or similar shipping software experience is a plus

• Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus

This is a great fit for someone who has been a strong Shipping/Receiving or Warehouse Lead and is ready for the opportunity to officially step into a leadership role.

Location: Lake Zurich, IL

Schedule: Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–3:30 PM

Pay: $23–$26/hour, potentially up to $28/hour

Type: Contract-to-Hire

Start: ASAP