Supply Chain Lead Jobs in Illinois
Supply Chain Lead jobs in Illinois are in strong demand, concentrated in food and beverage manufacturing, industrial distribution, healthcare logistics, and transportation, with openings ranging from emerging team leads to senior operations managers. Chicago, Joliet, and Elgin are the primary hiring centers, and large employers with a lasting Illinois presence, including Caterpillar, Kraft Heinz, and U.S. Foods, hire supply chain leads consistently across procurement, inventory management, and vendor relations. Demand for candidates with ERP proficiency, S&OP experience, and continuous improvement backgrounds is especially high across the Chicago metro corridor. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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The Assistant Manager Supply Chain is responsible for assisting with supply chain activities within Retail Services. Implements and maintains consistent use of established methods to assure internal and external customer product needs are addressed efficiently and in a timely manner.
RESPONSIBILITY LEVEL:
Implements and may provide input into strategic goals for supply chain operations. Oversees daily operations of team, ensuring work is performed as prescribed by policies and procedures to achieve productivity, service, and quality standards, and goals. Has familiarity with Retail supply chain budget and manages team spend to meet budget targets. Typically works on projects and initiatives that span 3 - 12 months.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES:
1. Leading and Developing Talent: Responsible for input on pay, performance appraisals, work schedules, day-to-day personnel issues, discipline and hiring. Actively networks and sources for positions within the team.
2. Project and Change Management: Periodically serves as a team member or subject matter expert for formal project or within the department. Contributes ideas and helps develop solutions while balancing demands of project work and routine job responsibilities. Supports management in the implementation of change. Engages effectively in change affecting her/him, communicating appropriately with supervisor. Follows through on learning, skill building, and practice necessary to adapt to change.
3. Problem Solving: Implements production and develops best practices. Provides oversight to staff, including advanced problem solving and customer service. Utilizes strong people skills to solve team issues. Resolves basic and moderately complex operational problems, elevating them to the manager as appropriate.
4. Technical Skill: Has understanding of subject matter and demonstrates advanced knowledge of field along with the in-depth 'why's' and supevrvisory experience. Has interpersonal skills in dealing with management and other deparment.
5. Community Engagement: Champions Goodwill's community engagement initiatives. Is aware of Goodwill's community partner organizations and participates in volunteer opportunities as pertains to role and interest. Participates in industry/knowledge groups.
6. Implement and maintain consistent use of established methods to assure customer product needs are provided timely and efficiently to both internal and external customers.
7. Assure accurate implementation and on-going compliance of operating procedures and policies, asset protection, maximum productivity/quality standards and safety guidelines in accordance with company standards.
8. Develop and maintain appropriate product levels through the management of work flow, schedules and efficient facility layout to ensure continuous flow of goods.
9. Assist with the maintenance of quality control standards, address and resolve problems, ensure continuous improvement of processes, procedures and schedules.
10. Implement and maintain processes defined for protection and usage of high value company assets including but not limited to transportation fleet, forklifts, and other equipment.
11. Assist with interviews. Provides training and coaching of new and existing employees to increase employee satisfaction and maximize productivity, by documenting, analyzing and openly communicating employee productivity.
12. Ability to contribute detailed information to monthly reports that analyze trends, cost and provide action plan for operating efficiently while meeting margin.
13. Proactively adjust work plan, schedules and resources to meet evolving business needs. Observes donation trends with the ability to forecast loads and communicate with vendors to coordinate timely pick-ups, while ensuring the highest level of service is maintained with commodities product quality and accurate load weights.
14. Responsible for completing other duties/responsibilities as assigned.
REQUIREMENTS:
1. Two years of college education or experience equivalency. A minimum of 5 years' experience, or 2 years managerial experience.
2. Experience in a supervisory role in Transportation, Warehouse, retail and/or production setting.
3. Work a minimum of two closing shifts per week and alternate weekends. Additional nights and weekends may be required as business warrants.
4. Must have working phone that allows for communication accessibility.
Valid driver's license.
CORE CULTURAL COMPETENCIES:
1. Customer Focus: Gathers customer satisfaction input and aligns business processes to work with those of the customer. Holds others accountable for meeting customer needs and addresses gaps in meeting emerging customer needs.
2. Values Differences: Creates an environment where differences are openly shared, embraced and incorporated into the team's activities. Encourages others to be open to, seek and learn from diverse perspectives. Demonstrated sensitivity to cultural norms and expectations and helps other understand the value diversity brings to the business.
3. Communicates Effectively: Practices active and attentive listening and encourages candid and open communication among groups. Breaks down communication barriers and adjusts content and communication style to reach the audience and a diverse set of stakeholders.
4. Situational Adaptability: Sets an example of adaptability, adapting and shifting priorities in response to clients, constituents, or the organization. Helps teams adapt to new situations and shift approach or stay the course in the face of changing demands.
5. Drives Results: Fosters a sense of urgency within the team for reaching goals and meeting deadlines. Drives a record of success leading other to persist in achieving results despite setbacks or obstacles.
6. Ensures Accountability: Holds self and team accountable for outcomes and accepts responsibility for successes and failures of own work and the team's work. Creates feedback loops within processes; monitors metrics and milestones to chart progress against expectations and accountabilities.
PHYSICAL/SENSORY DEMANDS:
Regularly lifts and/or moves up 10 pounds, frequently lifts and/or moves up to 20 pounds, occasionally lifts and/or moves up to 50 pounds. Moves about to accomplish tasks. Lift: Raises objects from lower to higher position or moves objects horizontally. Stoop, kneel crouch or crawl: Positions self to retrieve objects. Reach: Extending upwards or downwards to retrieve objects. Worker is subject to weather conditions (hot, humid, dry, cold etc.). Worker is subject to excessive noise. Worker is subject to hazards: proximity to dangerous machinery, moving vehicles, electrical currents, chemicals, or high places. Repetitive use of hands for handling and assessing products and equipment and computer use, vision Required for assessing material working with and computer work, travel required.
When determining placement within the salary range for this position Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago considers education, experience, internal equity, market demands and other qualifying criteria. It is not typical for individuals to be hired at or near the top of the rage for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on facts and circumstances of each case.
Certain roles are eligible to participate in an incentive plan. Participation in this plan does not guarantee an incentive payment and is subject to the terms and conditions of the plan, which are subject to change.
In addition to compensation, we offer a competitive benefit program that may include medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, retirement plan, paid time off (PTO) and more. The specifics of each benefit package will vary depending on factors such as full or part time jobs, contracted, temporary, or other job categories.
Equal Opportunity Employer
(SEW)
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 (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
See All 215+ Supply Chain Lead Jobs in Illinois
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Find Supply Chain Lead JobsSupply Chain Lead Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Supply Chain Lead Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Walgreens11

- Endeavor Health9

- Logic6

- OSF HealthCare5

- Dot Foods5

Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Food & Beverage
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Staffing & Recruiting
- Transportation & Logistics
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in supply chain lead jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, logistics, business, or a related field
- Three to five years of supply chain, logistics, or operations experience in a lead or supervisory capacity
- Proficiency with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, or Microsoft Dynamics
- Demonstrated experience with demand planning, inventory control, and vendor management
- Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies in a manufacturing or distribution environment
- Strong cross-functional communication skills for coordinating with procurement, warehousing, and operations teams
Supply Chain Lead Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a supply chain lead in Illinois?
Most supply chain leads in Illinois enter the role through a combination of a bachelor's degree in supply chain, logistics, operations, or business and progressive experience in warehousing, procurement, or inventory roles. Illinois does not require a state-issued license for supply chain leads, but earning a Certified Supply Chain Professional or Certified in Production and Inventory Management designation through APICS strengthens candidacy considerably with Illinois employers in manufacturing, distribution, and healthcare logistics.
How much do supply chain leads make in Illinois?
Supply chain leads in Illinois earn a median of about $80,100 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $48,020 for the lowest 10% to over $128,070 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire supply chain leads in Illinois?
Employers hiring supply chain leads in Illinois right now include Walgreens, Endeavor Health, and Logic, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Illinois's mix of food manufacturing headquarters, industrial distribution hubs, and major retail and healthcare systems creates consistent demand for supply chain leads across multiple sectors statewide.
Which Illinois cities have the most supply chain lead jobs?
Chicago, Deerfield, and Downers Grove have the most supply chain lead openings in Illinois. Chicago anchors demand through its dense concentration of corporate headquarters, distribution centers, and healthcare systems, while Joliet and Elgin generate openings through major logistics parks and manufacturing facilities that line the Interstate 55 and Interstate 90 corridors west of the city.
Are there remote supply chain lead jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely analytical roles, since supply chain leads frequently oversee warehouse teams, vendor relationships, and physical inventory. About 66% of supply chain lead openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with remote options most often available for demand planning, S&OP coordination, and procurement-focused positions that don't require a daily on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a supply chain lead in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic path is moving into a lead role from an adjacent position such as inventory analyst, logistics coordinator, or purchasing assistant, ideally at a large Illinois employer in food manufacturing, industrial distribution, or healthcare. Companies like U.S. Foods and Kraft Heinz run structured development programs that promote from within, and earning an entry-level APICS certification accelerates consideration. Community colleges across the Chicago metro, including College of DuPage and Triton College, offer supply chain and operations coursework that pairs well with a lateral move from a warehouse or procurement support role.
Where can I find and apply to supply chain lead jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to supply chain lead jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across industries including manufacturing, distribution, and healthcare. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to each employer through the listing.
See All 215+ Supply Chain Lead Jobs in Illinois
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