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Assistant Inventory Planner Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Cycle Count Planner

Paris, IL · On-site

$48K - $68K/yr

... inventory. 4. Coordinate count activities with area leaders in manufacturing and the warehouse to ... 10. Assist planners, supervisors, or manager on urgent issues as they arise. 11. Escalate ...

Cycle Count Planner

Paris, IL · On-site

$48K - $68K/yr

... inventory. 4. Coordinate count activities with area leaders in manufacturing and the warehouse to ... 10. Assist planners, supervisors, or manager on urgent issues as they arise. 11. Escalate ...

NTN has employment opportunities that will assist qualified candidates to achieve their desired ... Reviews and executes planned purchases as scheduled in order to ensure effective flow of inventory

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Assistant Inventory Planner information

See Illinois salary details

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How much do assistant inventory planner jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for assistant inventory planner in Illinois is $17.10, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.14 and $18.65 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an assistant inventory planner?

Assistant Inventory Planners are professionals who support the inventory planning process within a company. They help monitor stock levels, analyze sales trends, and assist in forecasting demand to ensure products are available when needed without overstocking. Their role often involves data entry, report generation, and coordination with suppliers and internal teams. By maintaining an optimal inventory balance, they contribute to efficient operations and cost savings for the organization.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an assistant inventory planner, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Assistant Inventory Planner, you need strong analytical abilities, attention to detail, and a background in supply chain management or a related field, often supported by a bachelor's degree. Proficiency in inventory management software, Excel, and ERP systems like SAP is typically required. Excellent organizational skills, communication, and the ability to adapt quickly to changing demands will help you stand out in this role. These skills ensure accurate inventory tracking, efficient stock management, and effective collaboration with various departments to support business operations.

What are some common challenges faced by assistant inventory planners, and how can they effectively manage them?

Assistant Inventory Planners often face challenges such as balancing stock levels to avoid overstock or stockouts, managing data accuracy, and adapting to sudden changes in demand. To manage these, it's important to regularly monitor inventory reports, communicate closely with suppliers and other departments, and utilize effective forecasting tools. Developing strong analytical skills and attention to detail can help anticipate issues before they impact operations, and being proactive in suggesting process improvements can make the role more efficient and rewarding.

What is the difference between Assistant Inventory Planner vs Inventory Analyst?

AspectAssistant Inventory PlannerInventory Analyst
Required CredentialsAssociate's degree, relevant certificationsBachelor's degree, analytical certifications
Work EnvironmentTeam-based, retail or supply chain settingsOffice, data analysis, reporting
Employer & Industry UsageRetail, manufacturing, logisticsRetail, manufacturing, logistics
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Assistant Inventory Planners support inventory management by assisting with stock levels, ordering, and data entry, often working under supervision. Inventory Analysts focus on analyzing inventory data, forecasting, and optimizing stock levels through detailed reports. While both roles require analytical skills and industry knowledge, Assistant Inventory Planners typically handle operational tasks, whereas Inventory Analysts focus on strategic analysis and decision-making.

Is inventory a stressful job?

As an Assistant Inventory Planner, the role involves managing stock levels, analyzing data, and coordinating with suppliers, which can be demanding during peak periods or supply chain disruptions. The job requires attention to detail and organizational skills, but stress levels vary depending on workload, company environment, and experience. Effective planning and communication can help mitigate stress in this position.

What are the most commonly searched types of Inventory Planner jobs in Illinois?

The most popular types of Inventory Planner jobs in Illinois are:

What are popular job titles related to Assistant Inventory Planner jobs in Illinois?

For Assistant Inventory Planner jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Assistant Inventory Planner jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Assistant Inventory Planner job openings:

Infographic showing various Assistant Inventory Planner job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 62% Full Time, 31% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 5% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $35,571 per year, or $17.1 per hour.

Production & Inventory Planner - Stellar Manufacturing

Leslie's

East Saint Louis, IL • On-site

$60K - $75K/yr

Full-time

Retirement

Posted 16 days ago


Leslie's rating

5.6

Company rating: 5.6 out of 10

Based on 83 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

485th of 739 rated retailers


Job description

DIVE IN TO A NEW CAREER WITH A LESLIE'S COMPANY:
In September 2022, Stellar Manufacturing was acquired by Leslie's as an affiliate. Stellar Manufacturing is a contract manufacturer of solid particle products and specializes in chemical processing services such as specialty tableting, compaction granulation, and granular filling. We support the manufacturing of a variety of consumer and industrial products including water treatment chemicals, janitorial and sanitation products, agrochemicals, raw materials, and more. With over 30 years of providing best-in-class products and solutions to our customers, there is nothing that we value more than the development and growth of our team. Both Leslie's and Stellar strive to create a positive and fun atmosphere where our Team Members feel valued and are enthusiastic about the contributions they make to the success of Stellar.
Job Overview:
Act as the customer's representative to ensure that their demands are met with a focus on optimizing the customer experience, with high attention to detail on planning.
Compensation Range: $60,000 - $75,000 /Base Salary
Compensation within range to be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge and skills, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.
Responsibilities:
  • Act as the customer's representative to ensure that their demands are met with a focus on optimizing the customer experience.
  • Serve as the lead point of contact for all customer account related matters.
  • Communicate with clients to ensure that all their needs are understood and addressed in a timely fashion.
  • Plan production based on customer forecasts.
  • Track production vs. customer demand.
  • Manage customer inventory vs. production demands
  • Maintain customer production forecast and update regularly
  • Serve as the liaison between the Production Planning and Manufacturing departments
  • Work with Quality Assurance to optimize production quality and address any related issues
  • Collaborate with various internal departments to ensure that they fulfill customer requests in a timely manner
  • Collect and analyze data related to customer production
  • Collaborate with sales team to identify and grow opportunities within customer accounts
  • Generate progress reports to give to clients and management within the organization.
  • Identify new business opportunities with existing customers and communicate these to the sales team.
  • Communicate information on receipt and disbursement of materials, finished goods and components.
  • Place necessary orders for components that have been identified as depleted items or items that have reached reorder points.
  • Report discrepancies between physical counts and the inventory records and report reasons for discrepancies.
  • Analyze inventory discrepancies and findings and report to supervisor.
  • Participate in planning and completion of physical inventories as necessary.
  • Generate reports and data analysis for upper management.
  • Plan, develop, implement, and report on clear and standardized processes and procedures for all aspects of product and process including but not limited to standard operating procedures and functional process control.
  • Serve as the lead to document customer complaints and NCAP's. Provide feedback to customers on actions taken to resolve quality non-conformances. Periodically solicit feedback on Stellar performance.
  • Requires close collaboration with management, manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, and quality assurance.
  • Collaborates with other departments to identify critical success factors, develop measurement systems, and implement continuous process improvement methodologies.
  • Assist with the creation of departmental standard operating procedures
  • Perform other related duties as assigned by management.

Qualifications:
  • B.S. in Business Administration, Supply Chain, Accounting, or related field required
  • Minimum 5+ years of experience in Production Planning and Inventory Control in manufacturing
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Excellent proficiency with Microsoft Excel
  • Experience implementing systems and processes within an organization
  • Direct experience dealing with customers and customer issues
  • Familiarity with SAP and similar systems a plus
  • Versatility, flexibility, and a willingness to work within constantly changing priorities with enthusiasm

We offer our employees competitive compensation, extensive paid training, comprehensive and flexible suite of benefits package, 401K with company match, team member discounts, rewards for top performers, and most importantly career advancement opportunities.
Leslie's recognizes a critical component to our continued success is our people. Leslie's is proud to have a culture of inclusion that seeks to celebrate and embrace the different backgrounds and perspectives that help drive our success and support team members in developing and growing with us. We aim to create a workplace where all team members feel welcomed and valued and inspire each other every day.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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