Inventory Control, Quality Assurance & Returns Lead

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Position:Inventory Control, Quality Assurance & Returns Lead

Location: Bolingbrook, IL

Job :128

# of Openings:1

Inventory Control, Quality Assurance

DEPARTMENT
Operations / Warehouse

REPORTS TO
Warehouse Manager

EMPLOYMENT STATUS
Full-Time, Non-Union

DIRECT REPORTS
None Initially

WORK SCHEDULE
On-Site;
Business Needs

FLSA CLASSIFICATION
Salary Exempt

EFFECTIVE DATE
07/24/2026

SALARY
$50,000-$62,000 Annually

The Inventory Control, Quality Assurance & Returns Lead is responsible for protecting inventory integrity across the warehouse and leading the day-to-day processes for cycle counting, inventory research, operational quality audits, product returns, quarantine, and disposition. The role ensures that inventory records in Prophet 21 (P21) and RF warehouse systems accurately reflect physical inventory and that discrepancies are investigated to root cause rather than corrected through adjustment alone.

This is a hands-on, non-union lead position that works closely with the Warehouse Manager, Operations, Customer Service, Accounting, Purchasing, Sales, Engineering, and Quality resources. The Lead provides process direction, training, and audit oversight to warehouse employees while the Warehouse Manager retains formal labor scheduling, performance management, discipline, and labor-relations authority.

PRIMARY OUTCOME

Maintain reliable inventory, prevent repeat errors, process returns promptly, and create clear ownership for inventory-related controls across receiving, putaway, storage, picking, packing, shipping, and reverse logistics.

• Own and administer the cycle-count program, including annual count plans, weekly schedules, ABC frequency, high-value and high-risk items, repeat-error locations, and special counts requested by management or auditors.
• Ensure cycle counts and recounts are completed accurately, on time, and through approved RF/P21 processes whenever system functionality is available.
• Research count variances using transaction history, allocations, transfers, receipts, picks, shipments, adjustments, units of measure, lot information, and location activity before recommending an adjustment.
• Prepare complete adjustment documentation and route material inventory adjustments or write-offs for the required approval.
• Verify that inventory reductions or RF deal locations do not leave customer orders stranded; coordinate timely reallocation or escalation when available stock changes.
• Monitor and resolve negative inventory, zero-on-hand discrepancies, inventory in non-pickable or staging locations, unidentified material, duplicate locations, and inventory with questionable status.
• Maintain cycle-count records, recount notes, adjustment support, approvals, and audit evidence in the designated shared repository.
• Support physical inventories, external audits, financial-control testing, and targeted counts based on value, quantity, or business risk.

• Own the warehouse returns process from receipt through final disposition, including customer returns, refused shipments, carrier returns, internal returns, vendor returns, and damaged or nonconforming material.
• Verify item number, quantity, unit of measure, condition, packaging, lot or traceability information, customer authorization, and stated return reason before inventory is moved or credited.
• Maintain controlled, clearly identified return and quarantine locations so returned or suspect material cannot be picked or shipped before inspection and disposition.
• Coordinate with Customer Service, Sales, Accounting, Purchasing, Engineering, and Quality resources to determine disposition: return to available stock, repackage, rework, hold, return to vendor, claim with carrier, or scrap.
• Ensure approved inventory transactions and customer/vendor credits are completed accurately and supported by documentation.
• Track open returns and quarantine aging; elevate items that exceed established service-level targets or lack a clear owner or disposition.
• Analyze return reasons and trends to distinguish customer-caused returns from picking, packing, product, documentation, packaging, carrier, supplier, or internal process failures.

• Conduct routine and targeted audits of receiving, putaway, replenishment, location…