Buyer / Material Planner

PLZ Corp; Bridgeview (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k & company match

Paid Time Off

Life and Short-Term disability

Voluntary benefits

Job summary

PLZ Corp is seeking a Material Planner / Buyer in the United States to support procurement for production. The role focuses on converting requisitions into purchase orders, expediting materials, and maintaining supplier relationships to ensure on-time delivery and total value.

Ideal candidates bring 2+ years in purchasing or planning, experience in manufacturing or consumer products, and strong Excel/ERP skills. On-site role with competitive compensation and benefits packages.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred; equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.
• Minimum of 2 years of purchasing, procurement, supply chain, planning, or manufacturing experience preferred.
• Experience in manufacturing, distribution, consumer products, chemical, aerosol, or related production environment preferred.
• Working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems, purchase order management, inventory planning, supplier follow-up, and basic procurement processes.

Responsibilities

• Review purchase requisitions and convert approved requests into accurate purchase orders in accordance with company policies and procedures.
• Source, purchase, and expedite assigned materials, components, supplies, and services to support production schedules, customer commitments, and inventory targets.
• Communicate regularly with suppliers to confirm pricing, lead times, order acknowledgements, delivery dates, and shipment status.
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, lead times, and service expectations to support cost savings, continuity of supply, and total cost of ownership objectives.
• Monitor open purchase orders, supplier delivery performance, and material availability; escalates risks and coordinate recovery plans when needed.
• Partner with planning, operations, quality, finance, logistics, and customer service teams to resolve shortages, invoice discrepancies, receiving issues, and supplier quality concerns.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records, supplier information, item data, pricing, delivery dates, and documentation within ERP and procurement systems.
• Support supplier performance reviews, cost reduction initiatives, inventory optimization, and continuous improvement projects across the supply chain.
• Ensure compliance with company procurement practices, approval requirements, ethical standards, safety expectations, and applicable regulatory requirements.

Skills

Analytical skills

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain/related field

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

SAP

Excel

Job description

PLZ is committed to product stewardship and innovation, strong ethical standards, sustainable operations and most importantly, the development of our people. Whether at our manufacturing facilities or corporate headquarters, PLZ prioritizes health and safety, and offers you the support you need to create the career you want, through engagement, equity and inclusion, and opportunity.

From household cleaning solutions to personal care products, and food to automotive lubricants, PLZ produces more than 2,500 different aerosol and liquid products in our facilities across the continent. We know that being the partner of choice for our clients starts with being the partner of choice for our employees. Learn more at www.plzcorp.com/careers or visit https://youtu.be/XYNIFpLQIJY

The Material Planner / Buyer is responsible for supporting the procurement of materials, supplies, and services needed to meet production and business requirements. This role manages purchase orders, supplier communication, delivery follow-up, cost control, and cross-functional coordination to help ensure materials are available on time, at the right quality, and at the best total value.

Key Responsibility:

• Review purchase requisitions and convert approved requests into accurate purchase orders in accordance with company policies and procedures.
• Source, purchase, and expedite assigned materials, components, supplies, and services to support production schedules, customer commitments, and inventory targets.
• Communicate regularly with suppliers to confirm pricing, lead times, order acknowledgements, delivery dates, and shipment status.
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, lead times, and service expectations to support cost savings, continuity of supply, and total cost of ownership objectives.
• Monitor open purchase orders, supplier delivery performance, and material availability; escalates risks and coordinate recovery plans when needed.
• Partner with planning, operations, quality, finance, logistics, and customer service teams to resolve shortages, invoice discrepancies, receiving issues, and supplier quality concerns.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records, supplier information, item data, pricing, delivery dates, and documentation within ERP and procurement systems.
• Support supplier performance reviews, cost reduction initiatives, inventory optimization, and continuous improvement projects across the supply chain.
• Ensure compliance with company procurement practices, approval requirements, ethical standards, safety expectations, and applicable regulatory requirements.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, Finance, or a related field preferred; equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.
• Minimum of 2 years of purchasing, procurement, supply chain, planning, or manufacturing experience preferred.
• Experience working in a manufacturing, distribution, consumer products, chemical, aerosol, or related production environment preferred.
• Working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems, purchase order management, inventory planning, supplier follow-up, and basic procurement processes.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, negotiation, communication, and follow-up skills with high attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, respond to changing production needs, and work effectively with internal teams and external suppliers.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel; experience with SAP or similar ERP systems preferred.
• APICS, CSCP, CPIM, CPSM, or related supply chain/procurement certification preferred but not required.

COMPENSATION:

Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several US geographic markets. The base pay for this position ranges from $60,000/year in our lowest geographic market up to $75,000/year in our highest geographic market. Pay is based on a number of factors including market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Dependent on the position offered, other forms of compensation may be provided as part of a total compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits.

PLZ Corp offers a robust suite of benefits including:

• Company paid Life and Short-Term disability.
• Voluntary benefits including additional life, disability, and hospital/accident insurance.
• 401k & company provided match.
• Paid Time Off
• Bonus incentive programs (Note, bonuses are subject to the rules governing the program, whereby an award, if any, depends on various factors, including, without limitation, individual and organizational performance.)

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or other protected status. EEOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.