Buyer

Watershed Foods; Gridley (IL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental & Vision

401K

Holidays & PTO

Tuition Reimbursement

Uniform & Boots

Employee Assistance

Chaplain Program

Smart Dollar

Company events

Volunteer days

Referral bonuses

Job summary

Watershed Foods in Gridley, IL is seeking an experienced Tactical Buyer to support day-to-day purchasing execution, ensure purchase orders are issued accurately, and confirm supplier details to keep production moving.

You will work with Strategic Sourcing, Planning, Production, Warehouse, Quality, and Logistics to secure materials, packaging, and services when needed, separating tactical work from strategic procurement.

Qualifications

• 1 to 3 years of experience in purchasing or related functions.
• Strong attention to detail and follow-through.
• Proficiency with Excel, Outlook, and ERP data entry.

Responsibilities

• Create and issue purchase orders based on approved requests and production needs.
• Confirm purchase order details with suppliers and update ERP.
• Expedite materials to support production schedules.
• Resolve receiving discrepancies with warehouse and QA, and manage supplier communications.

Skills

Purchasing

Supply chain

Vendor management

Communication

Tools

ERP system

Excel

Outlook

Job description

Job Details: Level: Experienced, Job Location: Gridley, IL - Gridley, IL, Position Type: Full Time, Salary Range: $75000.00 - $90000.00Salary, Job Summary:

The Tactical Buyer is responsible for supporting day-to-day purchasing execution for Watershed Foods by ensuring purchase orders are placed accurately, supplier confirmations are received, material shortages are escalated, and urgent operational requirements are addressed in a timely manner.

This position plays a critical role in keeping production, warehouse, and supply chain operations moving by managing tactical purchasing activities that support daily execution. The Tactical Buyer will work closely with Strategic Sourcing, Planning, Production, Warehouse, Quality, and Logistics to ensure materials, packaging, supplies, and services are available when needed.

This role is designed to support a growing supply chain organization by separating tactical purchasing execution from strategic procurement work. The Tactical Buyer will focus on execution discipline, order follow-up, expediting, receiving issue resolution, supplier communication, and ERP accuracy.

Key Responsibilities:

Purchasing Execution

• Create and issue purchase orders based on approved requests, reorder requirements, production needs, and management direction.
• Confirm purchase order details with suppliers, including pricing, quantities, due dates, freight terms, and delivery locations.
• Maintain accurate purchase order information in the ERP system.
• Follow up with suppliers on open purchase orders, late orders, backorders, and delivery commitments.
• Communicate material availability risks to the appropriate internal stakeholders.
• Support urgent purchasing requirements when production, warehouse, customer service, or supply chain needs are at risk.
• Maintain supplier list contacts. Coordinate with appropriate personnel to update Innatrack.

Expediting and Supplier Follow-Up

• Monitor open purchase orders and supplier delivery performance.
• Expedite materials as needed to support production schedules and operational needs.
• Coordinate supplier communication related to delayed shipments, partial shipments, shortages, substitutions, and order changes.
• Escalate supplier performance issues to the Strategic Sourcing Manager or Director of Supply Chain when required.
• Help reduce last-minute shortages through proactive follow-up and clear communication.

Receiving and Invoice Issue Resolution

• Support resolution of receiving discrepancies, including quantity variances, incorrect items, missing paperwork, damaged goods, and supplier shipment errors.
• Work with Warehouse, Receiving, Quality, AP, and suppliers to resolve purchase orders and receipt of mismatches.
• Follow up on supplier credits, replacements, corrected documents, and return authorizations when needed.
• Assist with invoice discrepancies related to pricing, freight, quantity, or purchase order details.

Cross-Functional Communication

• Work closely with Production Scheduling to understand urgent material needs.
• Support Warehouse and Receiving teams with delivery questions and purchase order discrepancies.
• Coordinate with Quality on supplier documentation, COAs, holds, and material release issues as needed.

Skills & Qualifications:

• 1 to 3 years of experience in purchasing, supply chain, inventory control, production support, customer service, logistics, or related business functions.
• Strong attention to detail and follow-through.
• Ability to manage multiple urgent priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Comfortable working with suppliers and internal departments.
• Basic understanding of purchase orders, lead times, delivery dates, and supplier confirmations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and ERP or business system data entry.

Benefits:

• PPO or HSA medical benefits with Employer Contributions.
• Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, Disability insurance.
• 401K with a competitive company match.
• 8 Holidays, Vacation accrual, PTO program, Parental Leave.
• Attendance, Safety, Service Awards.
• Tuition Reimbursement Program.
• Uniform and Boots provision.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Chaplain Program.
• Smart Dollar.
• Company Events and Luncheons.
• Paid Volunteer Days.
• Referral bonuses.