Buyer

Employment Status: Full-Time, Salaried/Exempt

Location: Waukegan, IL

Schedule: Onsite daily Monday through Friday from 8 am – 5 pm CT.

Salary: $70,000 - $90,000

Position Overview: The Buyer (Chemicals/Liquids) will support procurement execution for a high-volume manufacturing environment by issuing accurate purchase orders, confirming supplier details, monitoring material availability, and helping ensure production schedules are supported without interruption.

Key Responsibilities: Process purchase orders promptly based on firm requirements within the ERP/MRP system, with an expected turnaround of 24–48 hours. Verify purchase order accuracy, including quantities, MOQs, delivery dates, pricing, item details, and supplier information. Confirm supplier acknowledgments and coordinate changes to existing purchase orders, including quantity and delivery date adjustments. Partner with suppliers to resolve pricing, quality, delivery, and material availability issues. Lead weekly supplier meetings to review open orders, supplier performance, risks, and ongoing issues. Review dashboards and shortage signals to identify at-risk materials and escalate supply chain issues when needed. Collaborate with planning, production, quality, and procurement teams to support production schedules and long lead-time material requirements. Maintain accurate procurement records to support data integrity, audit traceability, and supplier performance reporting.

Qualifications & Skills: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Finance, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.3–5 years of buying experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment; multi-location experience preferred. Experience with purchase orders, supplier confirmations, inventory management, distribution, and logistics workflows. Intermediate to advanced Excel skills and experience using ERP/MRP systems. Strong negotiation, conflict resolution, communication, and supplier follow-up skills. Ability to manage multiple changing priorities, work under pressure, identify supply risks, and present options to resolve issues.

Physical Requirements: Ability to use a computer extensively in an office environment. Ability to sit for extended periods and move throughout an office or production environment as needed. Ability to work in a setting with normal office noise and occasional exposure to a louder production floor. Ability to read documents, view a computer screen for extended periods, and identify details or hazards.

Benefits: The company offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k), paid maternity leave, paid paternity leave, tuition assistance, disability insurance, paid time off and holidays, and additional wellness and lifestyle benefits.