Buyer - Spares

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Flexible work schedule

401K Employer Match

Health Insurance

Well-being Program

Tuition Reimbursement

Commuter Benefits

Job summary

KONE in Moline, IL is seeking a Buyer - Spares to maintain inventory availability, manage purchasing requirements, schedule deliveries, and ensure accurate supplier and pricing data. The role emphasizes vendor relationships and negotiation to sustain supply and service performance.

A bachelor's degree and SAP experience are expected. This position collaborates with TPS, Warehouse Operations, and cross-functional teams to ensure product integrity and customer satisfaction.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of strategic purchasing experience.
• Manufacturing and/or material management experience.
• SAP experience.
• Strong interpersonal communication and team building skills.
• Understanding of engineering documents.

Responsibilities

• Review and process purchase requisitions to ensure timely procurement.
• Manage supplier purchase orders and coordinate deliveries.
• Maintain inventory levels by monitoring reorder points and lead times in SAP.
• Expedite and track shipments, inform stakeholders of delivery status.
• Prepare RFQs, evaluate responses, negotiate pricing, enter details in SAP.
• Maintain purchasing documentation and supplier data in SAP.
• Investigate invoice discrepancies with suppliers and internal teams.
• Participate in supplier evaluations and continuous improvement.

Skills

Strategic purchasing

Vendor relationship management

Communication skills

Reading engineering documents

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor degree (BA) / BSEET

Tools

SAP experience

MS Office

Job description

Moline IL

Full time

Location: Moline, IL (HYBRID)

Full Time

Job Title: Buyer - Spares

Company Overview

Founded in 1910, KONE (https://www.kone.com/en/) 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 (https://www.kone.com/en/sustainability/) leader with repeated recognitions by Forbes (https://www.forbes.com/companies/kone/?sh=3dd0aa0b7d27), 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.

Just some of our many benefits include:

• 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. The compensation package offered will depend on candidate’s ability to meet the requirements of the role, needs for the business strategy, and a range of factors unique to each candidate, including their skill set, years and depth of experience, certifications, and location.

Variable Compensation

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

Come share your passion and energy to make a positive impact at KONE for our customers and your career!

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.

Read more on www.kone.com/en/careers/

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 are proud to offer 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.

Read more on https://kone.com/global/en/careers.html

At KONE, our purpose is to shape the future of cities. As a global leader in the elevator and escalator industry, we move two billion people every day, making their journeys safe, convenient, and reliable with smart and sustainable People Flow®. 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.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.