Operations Specialist - Food & Consumer Goods

Position: Operations Specialist

Location: Oak Park, IL (Hybrid)

Reports to: Head of Operations and Project Management

Salary: $60,000–$80,000 annually

About the Company

Our client is the U.S. subsidiary of an established international food manufacturing group with operations across multiple countries. Based in the Greater Chicago Area, the U.S. team manages operations for the American and Canadian markets, including Sales, Finance, Marketing, Private Label Development, Customer Service, and Logistics.

The team combines the agility of a lean, entrepreneurial U.S. organization with the backing and expertise of a global food group. As the business continues to develop its product portfolio and strengthen its U.S. operations, the company is focused on building efficient processes, enhancing cross-functional collaboration, and supporting continued growth.

About the Role

Our client is seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Operations Specialist to join its U.S. team.

This hands-on position focuses primarily on day-to-day operations, warehouse coordination, and order fulfillment, while also supporting EDI processes, customer operations, and international logistics. Acting as a key link between customers, European suppliers, third-party logistics providers, and internal teams, the Operations Specialist helps ensure that products and orders move efficiently through the supply chain, from initial processing through final delivery.

Beyond managing daily operational activities, the role offers an opportunity to contribute to the continued development of the Operations function. Working closely with the Head of Operations and Project Management, the successful candidate will help streamline processes, increase efficiency, and support operational initiatives, including the continued optimization of EDI processes and workflows.

This is a great opportunity for an operations professional looking to take the next step in their career, gain broader exposure across operations and supply chain activities, and grow within an international business environment.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day order processing and fulfillment, ensuring accurate and timely delivery to customers.
• Coordinate daily warehouse and third-party logistics (3PL) activities, including shipments, inventory movements, and fulfillment requirements, while proactively addressing operational issues.
• Monitor EDI transactions, investigate discrepancies, and coordinate with relevant partners to resolve issues.
• Support international shipments and import coordination with European suppliers and logistics partners.
• Serve as a key point of contact for customers, suppliers, logistics partners, and internal teams on operational matters.
• Maintain accurate operational records and documentation, identify opportunities for improvement, and help streamline existing processes and workflows.

Your Profile

• Ideally 2–3 years of relevant professional experience in operations, supply chain, logistics, order management, customer operations, or a related function.
• Hands-on experience working with EDI processes is required. Experience with EDI troubleshooting, service provider coordination, customer onboarding, or implementation is a plus.
• Experience coordinating order fulfillment, warehouse operations, and shipment activities, ideally involving third-party logistics (3PL) providers.
• Experience in international logistics, import coordination, or working with overseas suppliers is an advantage.
• Previous experience in consumer-packaged goods (CPG), food and beverage, temperature-controlled products, or a related industry is advantageous but not required.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and follow through on operational issues.
• A proactive, hands-on mindset with a sense of ownership and an interest in continuous improvement.
• Comfortable working independently and collaboratively in a lean, growing organization where flexibility and adaptability are important.
• Familiarity with digital tools, automation, or AI-enabled solutions is a plus.

What to Expect Working with Our Client

• The opportunity to take on meaningful responsibilities and make a direct impact within a growing U.S. organization.
• Close collaboration with the Head of Operations and Project Management, with opportunities to contribute to the improvement of operational processes.
• An international work environment with the backing of an established global food group.
• A hybrid work arrangement with two days in the office and three days working remotely.
• Competitive compensation, health insurance, a 401(k) plan, and generous PTO.