Jobs › Ecolab

Yard Spotter

Ecolab · Chicago, IL · Full time

Posted Sep 30, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you worked closely with a team to get products out on time.

What they are checking: Whether they collaborate well with warehouse staff, which the job requires daily.

Tell me about a time you noticed a safety problem at work and reported it.

What they are checking: Whether they speak up about hazards instead of ignoring them.

What would you do

You'll split your day between spotting and material handling. How do you switch between tasks without falling behind?

What they are checking: Whether they can stay organized when priorities shift during the day.

A driver is waiting and pushing you to hurry, but the dock isn't safe yet. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they put safety first even under pressure from others.

How do you stay safe working outdoors in Chicago winters around moving trucks?

What they are checking: Whether they think about weather hazards and adjust how they work.

About the work

Have you driven a yard truck or spotter before? How do you safely back a trailer into a dock?

What they are checking: Whether they have real experience or a clear sense of how to maneuver trailers safely.

What do you check during an inspection of a trailer or yard truck before using it?

What they are checking: Whether they take pre-use inspections seriously, since equipment failure can cause serious injury.

How do you keep track of where every trailer is and what's in it?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that accurate yard tracking prevents delays and lost loads.

How do you load a trailer so materials don't shift or get damaged?

What they are checking: Whether they understand load securement and weight distribution.

How do you do a cycle count accurately when you're busy with other work?

What they are checking: Whether they take inventory accuracy seriously even when it is one task among many.

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The full job description

As published by Ecolab.

Want to build a brighter, bolder future and cultivate your career? Join Ecolab’s team and help create a world in which we all thrive. Nalco Water, an Ecolab Company, is seeking to fill a Yard Spotter role with additional material handler duties in our manufacturing facility located in Bedford Park, IL. You'll play a key role by being responsible for shuttling trailers around the plant premises and assisting with material handling tasks, including storage, picking, staging, and inventory management. This is a hands-on opportunity to grow your skills in a fast-paced setting while contributing to a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement. What You Will Do: • Split daily tasks between 50% spotter duties and 50% material handler duties, depending on business needs. • Safely maneuver yard trucks to shuttle trailers to and from designated areas within the plant. • Loading and unloading trailers, ensuring proper handling of materials. • Maintain accurate inventory management by performing cycle counts, tracking the location and status of trailers and manufactured materials. • Collaborate with warehouse staff to stage and store materials from production and shipping as needed. • Conduct routine inspections of trailers and yard equipment to ensure operational safety. • Maintain cleanliness and organization of the yard and material storage areas. • Report any safety hazards or maintenance issues to management promptly. • Picking, staging, unloading/loading common carrier’s trailers. • Participate in training sessions and adhere to all company safety policies and procedures. Position Details: • Plant location: Bedford Park, IL (Clearing) 6216 W 66th Place • Work week and shift: 1st shift Monday - Friday, 8:30am – 5:00pm, some flexibility required • Compensation: $31.00 per hour Minimum Qualifications: • High School Diploma or equivalent • Previous experience as a yard spotter • Valid Class A CDL driver's license with a clean driving record • Forklift experience • No immigration sponsorship is offered for this role Preferred Qualifications: • Previous experience in a similar role in an industrial chemical environment • Strong attention to detail and organizational skills. • Ability to work independently as well as part of a team. • Excellent communication skills. Physical Demands: • Must be able to lift/carry 50lbs • Ability to work effectively in various weather conditions ​ Ecolab is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with a disability. What’s in it For You: • Starting on Day 1 : Access to our comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, matching 401K, company-paid pension, stock purchase plan, paid parental leave, select discounted childcare resources, and more! • The opportunity to take on some of the world’s most meaningful challenges, helping customers achieve clean water, safe food, and healthy environments • The ability to make an impact and shape your career with a company that is passionate about growth • The support of an organization that believes it is vital to include and engage diverse people, perspectives, and ideas to achieve our best About Ecolab: At Ecolab, we prioritize our talent-first philosophy by creating the most capable and diverse team to excel at our nearly three million customer sites. Building on a century of innovation, our 48,000 associates help deliver comprehensive science-based solutions, data-driven insights and world-class service to advance food safety, maintain clean and safe environments, and optimize water and energy use, and improve operational efficiencies and sustainability for customers in the food, healthcare, life sciences, hospitality and industrial markets in more than 170 countries around the world. Our solutions not only enhance operational efficiency but also contribute to sustainability and public health, making a positive impact on the world. We are committed to eliminating unnecessary complexities and embracing a beginner's mindset, continuously seeking new perspectives and innovative solutions to stay ahead in a rapidly changing world. Annual or Hourly Compensation Range: The pay rate for this position is $31.00 per hour. Many factors are taken into consideration when determining compensation, such as experience, education, training, geography, etc. We comply with all minimum wage and overtime laws. Benefits Ecolab provides the following benefits: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, accident insurance, critical illness insurance, hospital indemnity insurance, auto insurance, home insurance, pet insurance, identity theft protection, short-term and long-term disability, 401k, pension plans, retirement health care benefits, short-term incentives, vacation (12 days), holidays, parental leave, employee stock purchase plans (Full-Time Associates), discount on day care services and caregiver services, adoption assistance, group legal services, employee assistance program, employee discount program, and education assistance program, on-Site childcare and fitness facilities may be available at select Ecolab locations. Click here  for additional benefits information.  If you are viewing this posting on a site other than our Ecolab Career website, view our benefits at jobs.ecolab.com/working-here . Potential Customer Requirements Notice To meet customer requirements and comply with local or state regulations, applicants for certain customer-facing roles may need to: - Undergo additional background screens and/or drug/alcohol testing for customer credentialing. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Ecolab will provide reasonable accommodation (such as a qualified sign language interpreter or other personal assistance) with our application process upon request as required to comply with applicable laws. If you have a disability and require accommodation assistance in this application process, please visit the Recruiting Support link in the footer of each page of our career website.

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