Buyer/Planner

Ovivo; Mokena (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental and Vision benefits

401k Match of 4%

Company paid life insurance

Short and long-term disability

Paid holidays

Paid time off

Profit sharing

Job summary

Ovivo is seeking a Buyer/Planner to source, evaluate, and manage suppliers for industrial parts and chemicals, ensuring material availability and supporting manufacturing and aftermarket operations.

Based in Mokena, IL, this full-time onsite role requires 3+ years of purchasing/planning in an industrial setting, experience with ERP systems and Excel, and a proven track record of improving supplier performance and on-time delivery.

Qualifications

• At least 3 years of purchasing/planning experience in an industrial or manufacturing environment.
• Experience sourcing and procuring chemicals, mechanical parts, and/or components.
• Strong background in vendor management and supplier negotiations.
• Hands-on experience with an ERP system and data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Source, evaluate, and manage suppliers for industrial parts and chemicals.
• Plan and release purchase orders based on demand, forecasts, and inventory levels.
• Maintain accurate item, pricing, and vendor data in the ERP system.

Skills

Purchasing experience

Analytical skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Tools

ERP system

Microsoft Excel

Job description

At Ovivo, we offer you the opportunity to expand your skills and professional experience while collaborating with worldwide experts in water treatment. As a Buyer/Planner, you will be responsible for the procurement and planning of materials, parts, and chemicals required to support manufacturing and aftermarket operations. This role ensures material availability, manages supplier performance, and maintains accurate system data supporting inventory targets, and customer commitments.

OVIVO-ALAR is an established original equipment manufacturer of industrial and municipal wastewater filtration equipment, providing parts, chemicals, and technical support to our customers.

Joining Ovivo means being part of a global team of innovative and passionate professionals who are committed to preserving water, our planet's most critical resource. It also means combining our efforts and talents towards a more sustainable future – together.

This role is full time onsite, M‑F, and is based in our office in Mokena, IL.

What is the role?

• Source, evaluate, and manage suppliers for industrial parts and chemicals
• Support cost and service objectives
• Monitor vendor performance including quality, delivery, and responsiveness
• Resolve supplier issues including non‑conformances, shortages, and delays

Planning & Inventory Control

• Plan and release purchase orders based on demand, forecasts, and inventory levels
• Maintain appropriate inventory levels to balance service and carrying costs
• Coordinate with internal teams supporting material requirements
• Track and expedite orders to ensure on‑time delivery

ERP System Management

• Maintain accurate item, pricing, and vendor data in the ERP system
• Manage purchase orders, confirmations, receipt transactions, and freight
• Run and analyze system reports to support planning and purchasing decisions
• Ensure data integrity to support MRP and operational reporting

Operational Support & Collaboration

• Work cross‑functionally with OVIVO and Alar teams
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and process standardization
• Assist with documentation and compliance related to ISO or internal procedures
• Communicate clearly on order status, risks, and mitigation plans
• Other duties as assigned

Does this sound like you?

• At least 3 years of purchasing/planning experience in an industrial or manufacturing environment
• Experience sourcing and procuring chemicals, mechanical parts, and/or components
• Strong background in vendor management and supplier negotiations
• Proven prior experience executing cost savings initiatives
• Hands‑on experience with an ERP system
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and data analysis
• Results‑driven professional with strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, exceptional attention to detail and data accuracy, effective cross‑functional collaboration, and the ability to manage competing priorities while driving continuous improvement and sound procurement decisions.
• Experience in wastewater, manufacturing, industrial equipment, or process industries (preferred)
• Familiarity with ISO processes and quality systems (preferred)

Physical Demands

This role requires the ability to:

• Lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
• Minimal travel may be required at times
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate

Don't meet every single requirement? If you carry a strong sense of ownership and teamwork in everything you do, we'd like to hear from you anyway.

What we offer as an employer

At Ovivo, teamwork is at the heart of everything we do. We value work‑life balance and strive to provide an engaging work environment along with excellent benefits and career progression opportunities.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental and Vision benefits
• 401k Match of 4%
• Company paid life insurance along with company paid short and long‑term disability
• 11 paid holidays
• Three weeks of PTO per year (prorated based on start date)
• Roll over of 64 PTO hours to the following year
• Sixteen personal hours hire date determines number of personal hours for the first year
• Days off between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day – paid by the company with no impact to PTO balance.
• Profit sharing

At Ovivo we are committed to providing working environments where everyone is included and treated fairly and with respect.