Customer Service Representative - Lake Forest, IL

Work Location Type:Hybrid  

About Grainger:

W.W. Grainger, Inc., is a leading broad line distributor with operations primarily in North America, Japan and the United Kingdom. At Grainger, We Keep the World Working® by serving more than 4.5 million customers worldwide with products and solutions delivered through innovative technology and deep customer relationships. Known for its commitment to service and award-winning culture, the Company had 2024 revenue of $17.2 billion across its two business models. In the High-Touch Solutions segment, Grainger offers approximately 2 million maintenances, repair and operating (MRO) products and services, including technical support and inventory management. In the Endless Assortment segment, Zoro.com offers customers access to more than 14 million products, and MonotaRO.com offers more than 24 million products. For more information, visit www.grainger.com.  

Compensation:

This position is hourly.  Pay starts at $18.25/hour with three automatic raises in 12 months bringing your pay to $19.45/hour.

Rewards and Benefits:

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage starts on day one of employment.
• Access to up to 50% of your paycheck based on hours worked before payday.
• 18 paid time off (PTO) days annually for full-time employees (accrual prorated based on employment start date) and 6 company holidays per year.
• 6% company contribution to a 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan each pay period, no employee contribution required.
• Employee discounts, parental leave, and other benefits.
• Safety shoes provided (where applicable).

For additional information and details regarding Grainger’s benefits, please click on the link below:

https://experience100.ehr.com/grainger/Home/Tools-Resources/Key-Resources/New-Hire

The rate of pay provided above is not a guarantee of compensation. The rate reflects the expected base pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. 

Grainger reserves the right to amend, modify, or terminate its compensation and benefit programs in its sole discretion at any time, consistent with applicable law.  

Customer Service Representative – Lake Forest, IL

We’re hiring full-time, inbound Customer Service Representatives! If you’re motivated by helping others, skilled in navigating multiple systems, and thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume environment, we want to hear from you.

You’ll be joining a collaborative team under the leadership of a Supervisor of Customer Experience starting in September 2025. Work location for this position is 100 Grainger Parkway, Lake Forest, IL 60045.

Schedule, Training & Work Environment:

Enjoy your weekends off!
We’re currently hiring for the 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. shift, Monday through Friday.

Our comprehensive 8-week paid onsite training academy will set you up for success, empowering you to confidently connect with our customers. Training hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00am – 4:30pm at 100 Grainger Parkway, Lake Forest, IL 60045. During training, you will:

• Learn to navigate our systems, software programs, and internal processes
• Build the core service skills you need, including:
• Critical thinking
• Effective communication
• Confident decision-making
• Technical agility

After the successful completion of training, eligible team members can transition to a flexible hybrid work model:

✔ 3 days onsite / 2 days remote (with the option to change your WFH days weekly)
✔ Earn in opportunity to become voluntarily remote based on performance after 6 months
✔ Eligible to bid for alternate shifts after 6 months

✔ You also have the option of working in the office up to 5 days a week.

Grainger will provide all equipment needed to work from home.

Grow with Grainger:

Our highly engaged leaders and supportive team environment will help you learn, grow, and achieve success. Over time, you’ll build the skills needed to advance your career across specialty teams or into other departments of our evolving business.

Our Culture:

We aspire to create a culture where each person is comfortable being who they are, is recognized and rewarded for their impact and can continue to learn, grow and realize their full potential. ​

You Will:

• Handle a high volume of inbound calls—delivering quality customer service with professionalism, empathy, and efficiency
• Quickly navigate multiple computer screens, software programs, and databases to resolve inquiries
• Assist customers with order placement, product information/identification, product search, pricing, invoicing discrepancies, apply credit, and facilitate returns
• Problem-solve independently, using critical thinking and available resources to deliver fast, accurate resolutions
• Collaborate daily in a positive, team-based environment committed to doing business with ethics and integrity
• Maintain attention to detail while managing complex or time-sensitive customer issues
• Communicate clearly via phone and written messages

You Have:

• High School diploma or equivalent
• Minimum 1 year of customer service experience. High-volume inbound call center experience preferred but not required
• A passion for delivering exceptional customer service and creating a positive experience for every customer
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Ability to problem solve and make decisions with attention to detail
• A continuous improvement mindset, open to coaching and receiving feedback
• Proven ability to learn new technology and software quickly
• Comfortable navigating multiple programs and screens simultaneously
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams)
• Experience with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems and SAP a plus
• For hybrid/remote work:
• A secure, quiet workspace
• High-speed internet with minimum speeds of 15 Mbps download / 5 Mbps upload, ping under 80ms

We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible work environment that includes both providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities during the application and hiring process as well as throughout the course of one’s employment, should you need a reasonable accommodation during the application and selection process, including, but not limited to use of our website, any part of the application, interview or hiring process, please advise us so that we can provide appropriate assistance.