Procurement Specialist

Our client, a leading chemical manufacturer located in Plainfield, IL is seeking an experienced Procurement Specialist to join their growing team. This role will support the company's purchasing operations by sourcing quality materials and services at the best value, maintaining vendor relationships, and ensuring inventory needs are met to support seamless production. If you're an organized and detail-oriented procurement professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment, this is an excellent opportunity to grow with a reputable and forward-thinking organization. The anticipated salary for this role is between $80,000-$90,000 a year. Responsibilities: Manage day-to-day procurement operations and oversee the work of a Procurement Associate. Negotiate vendor terms, pricing, and delivery schedules to meet company budget and quality goals. Forecast material demands using customer forecasts, production schedules, and market trends. Research, evaluate, and onboard new suppliers to ensure competitive pricing and consistent quality. Build and maintain strong vendor relationships; resolve issues and disputes promptly. Monitor raw material and packaging inventories, ensuring timely availability for production. Prepare and process purchase orders, verify invoices, and coordinate payments with accounting. Support Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and participate in supplier audits. Maintain supplier performance records, certifications, and documentation in the ERP system. Conduct monthly and year-end inventory reconciliations across all warehouse locations. Develop and implement departmental procedures and provide training to procurement staff. Collaborate cross-functionally with Production and Quality teams to ensure material readiness. Qualifications: Associate or Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field (or equivalent experience). Minimum of 3 years of experience in procurement, purchasing, or supply chain roles. Strong negotiation and vendor management skills. Experience with ERP systems (Microsoft D365 or similar preferred). Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook). Strong interpersonal and communication abilities, both verbal and written. Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently in a fast-paced environment. Proactively identify and manage potential challenges to minimize their impact and recurrence. Benefits: Medical Insurance: Provided through UnitedHealthcare Dental & Vision Insurance: Comprehensive coverage options available 401(k) Retirement Plan: Employee contributions up to 15% of compensation, with a 50% company match (up to 3% of salary) Paid Time Off (PTO): 2 weeks' vacation for up to 5 years of service 3 weeks' vacation after 5 years of service 4 weeks' vacation after 10 years of service Personal/Sick Time: 7 days per year, with flexibility to use personal time as needed Paid Holidays: 10 company-observed holidays annually Disability Coverage: Short- and/or long-term disability insurance provided Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please navigate to The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable: • The California Fair Chance Act • Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance • Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers • San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance