Buyer

viaPhoton; Naperville (IL); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Cutting-Edge Technology

Professional Development

Flexible Paid Time Off

401(k) Match

Team bonding events

Job summary

A tech innovation firm in Naperville is seeking a Procurement Specialist to manage purchasing processes, ensuring timely and cost-effective procurement of goods. We're looking for individuals with 1–3 years of procurement experience, familiar with ERP systems like NetSuite or SAP, and strong communication skills. This role offers opportunities for professional development and a vibrant team culture, along with flexible paid time off and a 401(k) match.

Qualifications

• 1–3 years of purchasing, procurement, or supply chain experience preferred.
• Familiarity with ERP systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage the end-to-end purchasing process.
• Create and track purchase orders accurately.
• Maintain contact with suppliers and resolve issues.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

ERP familiarity

Excel proficiency

Team-oriented

Tools

NetSuite

SAP

Oracle

Job description

Overview

Are you passionate about turning ideas into reality, embracing ownership, and working at the forefront of connectivity? Join viaPhoton and be part of a culture that thrives on fearless innovation, teamwork, and continuous growth, where learning, unlearning, and relearning are part of the journey.

This dynamic role offers significant ownership and responsibility. We’re looking for individuals who excel in environments where their contributions make an impact, are hungry to learn, and are energized by meaningful work that drives company growth while accelerating their career. If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you!

Who We Are

We are changing the norm by being customer focused, technology led. viaPhoton is on an ambitious mission to revolutionize how critical digital infrastructure is manufactured and deployed. Best-in-class data centers and telecom providers need fiber optic solutions delivered in weeks, not months—whether that’s for AI infrastructure, 5G networks, or next-generation broadband. We’re reimagining fiber optic manufacturing for the AI era. Manufacturing is no longer just an operations challenge, but an automation and speed-to-market problem that customers urgently need solved. In less than 5 years, we’ve grown to a team of over 150, and have added top cloud service providers to our growing customer base. We have only just gotten started -- our ambition is to become the market leader of the $40+ BN connectivity industry.

We seek candidates who will be culture contributors and who align with our core values:

• Fearless Innovation — we are pioneers unafraid to change the norm in relentless pursuit of better
• Forward Together — we believe that when we work together toward a collective goal, we all succeed
• Integrity Over Everything — we believe in long term relationships and doing what is right, always
• Nimble, Always — we are solutions obsessed, move fast, and stay nimble
• Be the Bar — we set our own standard of excellence and hold ourselves to it

Essential Purpose

Responsible for managing the end-to-end purchasing process, including purchase order management, supplier communication, and ERP data maintenance to ensure timely and cost-effective procurement of goods and services.

What You Will Do

• Create, issue, and track purchase orders based on departmental requisitions and inventory needs, ensuring accuracy in quantities, pricing, and delivery timelines.
• Review and process purchase requisitions from internal departments, confirming specifications and obtaining necessary approvals prior to order placement.
• Monitor open purchase orders from placement through receipt, proactively identifying and resolving delays or discrepancies.
• Maintain daily contact with suppliers to confirm order acknowledgments, negotiate pricing adjustments, and ensure on-time delivery commitments are met.
• Build and sustain strong vendor relationships, serving as the primary point of contact for routine procurement inquiries and issue resolution.
• Update and maintain accurate records in the ERP system, including pricing, lead times, item specifications, and vendor information.
• Coordinate with the warehouse and receiving teams to reconcile deliveries against purchase orders and address shortages or damages promptly.
• Support the product line management in identifying alternate suppliers and gathering competitive quotes to optimize cost and supply chain resilience.
• Assist in month-end close activities, including accruals and purchase order reconciliation.
• Perform additional duties as required.

Responsibilities may vary depending on the assigned station. Employees typically will rotate through the various stations.

What You Will Bring

• 1–3 years of purchasing, procurement, or supply chain experience preferred.
• Familiarity with ERP systems (e.g., NetSuite, SAP, Oracle) and the ability to maintain accurate procurement data.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple open purchase orders simultaneously.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for effective vendor and cross-functional collaboration.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel for tracking and reporting.
• Ability to identify discrepancies, escalate issues appropriately, and drive timely resolution.
• Team-oriented mindset with the ability to work cross-functionally with warehouse, finance, and operations teams.
• Experience in a fast-paced, high-growth manufacturing or distribution environment is a plus.

What We Offer

• Cutting-Edge Technology – Opportunities to work on the forefront of fiber optic technology.
• Professional Development – We’re committed to your growth, offering resources, career development, and a culture where your voice is heard.
• Fun Team Environment – Monthly team bonding events, free lunches, and activities to keep us connected.
• Flexible Paid Time Off – Take time when you need it, with PTO that grows over time plus 10 paid holidays, including two floating holidays to use at your discretion.
• 401(k) Match – We offer company match to help you plan for your future.
• Benefits Overview – To view our comprehensive benefits package

Ready to Build the Future?

At viaPhoton, we are committed to furthering our culture of inclusion. We reinforce this through our core values and beliefs as well as our processes and strategic goals. We remind team members to seek various viewpoints, learn and be hungry with curiosity, and gain trust.