Buyer - Spares

KONE; Moline (IL); Hybrid; USD 69,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

KONE is seeking a Buyer - Spares in Moline, IL, offering hybrid full-time employment. The role focuses on maintaining inventory availability, managing purchasing requirements, and negotiating favorable terms to meet operational and customer demands.

You will collaborate with TPS, Warehouse Operations, and cross-functional teams to ensure product integrity and timely deliveries, while leveraging SAP for supplier data and cost management.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of strategic purchasing experience.
• Manufacturing or material management experience.
• SAP experience.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office products.
• Strong interpersonal communication and team-building skills.
• Ability to read engineering documents.

Responsibilities

• Review and process purchase requisitions generated through MRP to ensure timely procurement of materials and products.
• Manage supplier purchase orders and coordinate product deliveries to meet operational requirements and customer demand.
• Maintain optimal inventory levels by monitoring reorder points, safety stock, and lead times within SAP.
• Expedite and track incoming shipments; communicate delivery status to stakeholders.
• Prepare and issue RFQs to suppliers, evaluate responses, and enter quotation details into SAP.
• Create and maintain part load sheets and related purchasing documentation.
• Ensure accuracy of product, supplier, and pricing information within SAP.
• Investigate and resolve invoice discrepancies with suppliers and Finance.

Skills

Vendor relationship management

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Forecasting / cost analysis

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor degree in BA or BSEET

APP/CPM certificate desirable

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Office

Job description

Location

Moline, IL (HYBRID) Full Time

Job Title

Buyer - Spares

Company Overview

Founded in 1910, KONE is a global leader that provides elevators, escalators and automatic building doors, as well as solutions for maintenance and modernization that add value to buildings throughout their life cycle. Our mission is to improve the flow of urban life and make our world’s cities better places to live by providing innovative solutions that help make people’s journeys safe, convenient and reliable. Our operations in over 60 countries around the world has helped us achieve our position as an innovation and sustainability leader with repeated recognitions by Forbes, Corporate Knights for clean capitalism and others.

Role Overview

As a Buyer, you will play a critical role in maintaining inventory availability and supporting operational and customer demands. You will manage purchasing requirements, schedule and monitor deliveries, maintain supplier and product data, and identify sourcing solutions to meet business needs. Success in this role requires strong vendor relationship management, effective communication, and the ability to negotiate favorable terms while ensuring reliable supply and service performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Review and process purchase requisitions generated through Material Requirements Planning (MRP) to ensure timely procurement of materials and products.
• Manage supplier purchase orders and coordinate product deliveries to meet operational requirements and customer demand.
• Maintain optimal inventory levels by monitoring and adjusting reorder points, safety stock parameters, and lead times within SAP.
• Expedite, prioritize, and track incoming shipments based on business needs, while maintaining accurate records and communicating delivery status to internal stakeholders.
• Support special product requests from Centralized Purchasing Program (CPP) and Sales teams by researching product specifications, evaluating equipment listings, and identifying sourcing solutions.
• Prepare and issue Requests for Quotation (RFQs) to suppliers, evaluate supplier responses, negotiate pricing when appropriate, and enter quotation details into SAP.
• Create and maintain part load sheets and related purchasing documentation.
• Ensure the accuracy of product, supplier, and pricing information within SAP through regular updates and data maintenance.
• Investigate and resolve invoice discrepancies by collaborating with suppliers, Finance, and internal departments.
• Participate in supplier performance evaluations and business reviews to support quality, delivery, and cost objectives.
• Cross-train with team members to provide operational support and maintain continuity during absences or workload fluctuations.
• Manage the return and disposition of damaged or defective products by conducting investigations, coordinating with suppliers and internal teams, and communicating outcomes to CPP and Sales partners.
• Collaborate with Technical Product Services (TPS), Warehouse Operations, and other cross-functional teams to ensure product integrity and customer satisfaction.
• Maintain strong supplier and internal stakeholder relationships while supporting continuous improvement initiatives within the purchasing function.

Role Requirements

• 5+ years of strategic purchasing experience.
• Manufacturing and/or material management experience.
• SAP experience.
• Working knowledge of computer applications including Microsoft products.
• Strong interpersonal communication and team building skills.
• Strong organizational skills; must be able to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Learning agility required for multiple processes and sources of information.
• Working knowledge and ability to read and interpret engineering documents.
• Experience in building out cost models and cost analysis reports.
• Understand how to compile technical documentation and put together request for quotes.
• Education Bachelor degree (BA) from four-year college/university or BSEET degree Purchasing Management Association (APP/CPM) certificate desirable.

About KONE

At KONE, we foster an innovative and collaborative culture, valuing each individual's contribution. Employee engagement and sustainability are key focuses, promoting ethical practices and mutual respect. We're proud to offer experience and opportunities to help you achieve career and personal goals while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. We hire individuals who value culture because we believe culture drives innovation. We value your authentic self. Collaborative, creative, and supportive work environment. Passionate about safety, quality, and innovation We care about the communities where we live and work. At KONE, we are focused on creating an innovative and collaborative working culture where we value the contribution of each individual. Employee engagement is a key focus area for us and we encourage participation and the sharing of information and ideas. Sustainability is an integral part of our culture and the daily practice. We follow ethical business practices and we seek to develop a culture of working together where co-workers trust and respect each other and good performance is recognized. In being a great place to work, we pride ourselves on a range of experiences and opportunities that will help you to achieve your career and personal goals and enable you to live a healthy and balanced life.

Benefits

Competitive salary Flexible work schedule Opportunities to learn and grow 401K Employer Match 401k Employer Non-elective Contribution Well-being Program Medical, Prescription, Dental and Vision Insurance Digital Health Solutions & Telehealth Health Savings Account (HSA) Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP) Family & Medical Leave Parental Leave Leave to Care for a Domestic Partner Paid Time Off & Holidays Company Paid Life and AD&D Insurance Supplemental Life and AD&D Insurance Company Paid Short-term and Long-term Disability Buy-Up Long-term Disability Critical Illness Insurance Hospital Indemnity & Accident Insurance Identity Theft Protection Legal Insurance KONE Credit Union Tuition Reimbursement Commuter Benefits

Annual Base Pay Range

The hiring range for this role is $68,800 – $94,600.

Variable Compensation

KONE Annual Bonus plan at 10% Target Incentive (50/50) based on achievement of company goals and individual goals.

Equal Opportunity Statement

KONE is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Company Size and Presence

In 2025, KONE had annual sales of EUR 11.2 billion, and at the end of the year over 60,000 employees in close to 70 countries. KONE class B shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. in Finland.