Purchasing & Inventory Analyst

Aalchem; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Aalchem in Grand Rapids, MI is seeking a Purchasing & Inventory Analyst to turn sales forecasts and historical data into purchase orders, coordinating with overseas suppliers to keep shipments moving and inventory accurate. You will ensure open POs are current and lead times are respected.

Ideal candidates bring strong Excel, ERP experience and a highly organized, proactive approach to managing orders, data analysis, and supplier communications in a fast-growing specialty chemical distribution

Qualifications

• 2+ years in purchasing, procurement, supply chain or similar analytical role.
• Strong Excel skills: pivot tables, Lookups, forecasting from history.
• Experience with an ERP or inventory system and quick learner.
• Highly organized with multiple open orders and deadlines.
• Clear written communication with suppliers, even when English isn't first language.

Responsibilities

• Turn sales forecasts and buying history into purchase orders.
• Work with overseas suppliers to keep shipments moving and open POs current.
• Track shipments from booking to delivery and manage lead times.
• Monitor inventory across warehouses and reconcile system quantities.
• Prepare data and analysis for supplier reviews and cost comparisons.

Skills

Excel skills

Analytical mindset

Communication skills

Time management

Attention to detail

Numerical proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in supply chain, business, finance or related field

Tools

ERP system

Inventory software

Job description

Aalchem is a fast-growing specialty chemical distributor based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, serving more than 1,550 customers across North America. We source and import products from manufacturing partners around the world, mainly in Korea, China and Taiwan, and deliver them to coatings, composites, adhesives and industrial customers.

The Purchasing & Inventory Analyst keeps our supply chain organized, on time and accurate. Reporting to the VP of Operations, you'll turn sales forecasts and buying history into purchase orders, work directly with overseas suppliers to keep shipments moving, and make sure inventory and open POs are always current. Getting the right product to the right warehouse at the right time is the core of our business, and this role is central to it.

Forecasting and planning

• Work with the sales team each month to collect customer forecasts and turn them into a rolling purchase plan
• Review sales and purchase history to set reorder points, safety stock and order quantities for each product
• Flag forecast changes, slow-moving stock and potential shortages before they become problems

Purchase orders

• Create, issue and maintain purchase orders in our ERP based on history, forecasts and lead times
• Confirm price, quantity, packaging (drums, IBCs, ISO tanks, bags) and ship dates with suppliers
• Keep a clean open-PO report: every order has a status, ETD/ETA and next action

Overseas suppliers and imports

• Be a daily point of contact for suppliers in Korea, China and Taiwan, by email and messaging, across time zones
• Track shipments from booking through vessel departure, port arrival, customs clearance and warehouse delivery
• Coordinate with freight forwarders, customs brokers and our warehouses on documents (commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, COA, SDS) and delivery appointments
• Follow up on delays, short shipments and quality issues until they're resolved

Inventory control

• Monitor inventory across our warehouses and reconcile system quantities against receipts
• Support cycle counts and investigate discrepancies
• Report weekly to Jeff on stock levels, open POs, inbound shipments and items at risk

Supporting the VP of Operations

• Keep the purchasing calendar, supplier contacts, price lists and contracts organized and current
• Prepare data and analysis for supplier reviews, price changes and cost comparisons
• Take on follow-ups and projects that keep operations moving

Required Experience

• 2+ years in purchasing, procurement, supply chain, inventory control or a similar analytical role
• Strong Excel skills: pivot tables, lookups, and building simple forecasts from history
• Experience with an ERP or inventory system, and the ability to learn ours quickly
• Highly organized, with a record of managing many open orders and deadlines at once
• A sense of urgency and follow-through: you chase answers until an issue is closed
• Clear written communication, including with suppliers whose first language isn't English
• Comfort with numbers, unit conversions and cost calculations

Preferred Experience

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain, business, finance or a related field
• Experience importing from Asia: Incoterms, ocean freight, customs brokers, lead times
• Background in chemicals, coatings, plastics or another industrial distribution business
• Familiarity with SDS, COAs and handling regulated or hazardous materials
• APICS/ASCM certification (CPIM) or a willingness to pursue it

Who thrives here

If you like a clean list and a closed loop, you notice when a number doesn't add up and you find out why. If you're happy sending a 7 a.m. follow-up to a supplier in Seoul, and just as comfortable walking a salesperson through why their customer's order needs another three weeks. If you'd rather solve a problem than escalate it, and you keep your manager informed without being asked. Then this job is for you!