Inventory Associate

Inventory Specialists / Materials Associates - Military and DefenseMaterials Associate position supports a rapidly growing defense technology organization located in the Santa Ana and Costa Mesa, CA areas. You will work on the Supply Chain team to move materials from the warehouse to production lines, support shipping and receiving, and help ensure accurate inventory control across multiple sites. This role is ideal for someone who is highly organized, detail-oriented, and committed to delivering excellent internal customer service while following standard operating procedures.ResponsibilitiesProcess shipping and receiving activities at the Santa Ana and/or Costa Mesa locations as needed, following established procedures and documentation requirements.Prepare finished stock for shipment by identifying, pulling, packing, crating, labeling, loading, and securing products to ensure safe and accurate delivery.Serve as a key point of contact to ensure all material movements across sites are accurately transacted and recorded in the appropriate systems.Support orderly production and distribution of products by pulling orders from inventory and delivering production materials and supplies to the correct locations.Stage finished products for final distribution, ensuring items are clearly labeled, properly stored, and ready for timely shipment.Perform regular cycle counts and conduct all warehouse activities with inventory accuracy as a top priority.Maintain inventory by identifying, labeling, and keeping materials and supplies in stock, recording inventory locations, and promptly reporting shortages.Operate forklifts, pallet jacks, and other material handling equipment to move items safely, or signal machine operators to move materials onto and off trucks and loading docks.Expedite the flow of materials, parts, and assemblies within or between departments in accordance with production requirements and schedules.Follow and maintain standard operating procedures to ensure consistent, safe, and efficient warehouse and material handling operations.Communicate clearly with team members and internal stakeholders to coordinate material movement, resolve issues, and support production needs.Lift and move objects up to 35 lbs as part of daily material handling and warehouse activities.Essential SkillsAt least 2 years of experience as a warehouse associate or in an equivalent material handling or logistics role.At least 2 years of experience using Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and/or other warehouse management and inventory control tools.Hands-on experience with inventory management involving Lot, Serial, and Batch tracking in high-mix, high-volume production environments.Proficiency with Microsoft Office or equivalent office management tools for basic documentation, reporting, and communication.Demonstrated ability to maintain high levels of accuracy in inventory transactions, cycle counts, and documentation.Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and maintain orderly stock and storage areas.Excellent customer service skills, with the ability to support internal stakeholders and respond promptly to production and material needs.Ability to prioritize tasks efficiently and adapt to changing production and shipping requirements.Ability to clearly communicate with team members and other departments, both verbally and in writing.Ability to lift and move objects up to 35 lbs safely and repeatedly.Additional Skills & QualificationsExperience operating forklifts and pallet jacks in a warehouse or production environment.Comfort using ERP platforms and other inventory control systems in a fast-paced setting.Familiarity with warehouse management practices for high-mix, high-volume operations.Experience working with shipping, receiving, and logistics processes in a manufacturing or defense-related environment.Ability to follow detailed standard operating procedures and safety guidelines.Strong attention to detail to ensure accurate labeling, documentation, and material tracking.Comfort working across multiple sites and coordinating material movement between locations.Experience with tools such as NetSuite or similar ERP solutions is beneficial.Job Type & Location: This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Santa Ana, CA.Pay and Benefits: The pay range for this position is $23.00 - $27.50/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)Workplace Type: This is a fully onsite position in Santa Ana, CA.Application Deadline: This position is anticipated to close on Oct 20, 2026.