Inventory Strategy & Warehouse Optimization Consultant (1099 Independent Contractor)

Nemera•Buffalo Grove, IL

2h•$57 - $77

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced Inventory Strategy & Warehouse Optimization Consultant (INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR 1099) to support the assessment, development, and initial execution of a comprehensive inventory and warehouse improvement program within a manufacturing environment. This role will focus on evaluating current inventory levels, warehouse material placement, SAP inventory/planning parameters, and operational material flow to identify opportunities for improved inventory accuracy, reduced excess and obsolete inventory, and increased warehouse efficiency. The ideal candidate brings a strong combination of analytical capability and operational experience and has successfully implemented measurable inventory and warehouse improvements in manufacturing or distribution environments. This is a highly execution-oriented engagement. The successful consultant must be capable of developing practical, actionable solutions grounded in operational reality, not simply delivering high-level assessments or theoretical recommendations. This is a 1099 Independent Contractor position. The candidate will be responsible for their own taxes and will receive a Form 1099 instead of a W-2.

Requirements

7+ years of experience in inventory management, warehouse operations, supply chain optimization, or manufacturing operations
Strong experience working within SAP or similar ERP systems
Demonstrated experience improving inventory accuracy and reducing excess inventory
Experience evaluating warehouse operations and material flow processes
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and operational assessment skills
Experience working within manufacturing and/or distribution environments
Ability to work collaboratively with operational teams and leadership

Nice To Haves

SAP WM, EWM, MM, or PP experience
Experience with inventory optimization and warehouse transformation initiatives
Lean, Six Sigma, or Continuous Improvement experience
Experience implementing inventory control or warehouse process improvements
Advanced Excel and data analysis capabilities

Responsibilities

Evaluate current inventory levels across materials, SKUs, and warehouse locations/buildings
Assess inventory segmentation, stocking strategies, and inventory health
Identify excess, obsolete, slow-moving, and duplicate inventory opportunities
Develop recommendations for target inventory levels, stocking policies, and inventory optimization opportunities
Review inventory placement and storage strategy across buildings and operational areas
Assess warehouse material flow between receiving, storage, production, and shipping areas
Identify inefficiencies related to material movement, storage practices, location management, and inventory accessibility
Evaluate warehouse layout, slotting practices, and storage utilization
Recommend operational improvements to improve material flow and reduce handling inefficiencies
Review current SAP inventory and planning parameters including safety stock, reorder points, lead times, lot sizes, storage locations, and material master data accuracy
Identify gaps between system settings and actual operational practices
Recommend parameter adjustments and process improvements to improve alignment and inventory performance
Evaluate inventory transaction processes and operational controls
Assess inventory discrepancy trends and potential root causes
Support improvement of inventory governance, reporting, and operational accountability processes
Provide recommendations to improve long-term inventory process sustainability
Partner with Supply Chain, Warehouse, Production, Procurement, Finance, Quality, and Customer Service teams
Facilitate operational discussions and working sessions as needed
Support prioritization of improvement opportunities based on operational and financial impact