Purchasing & Inventory Planner

Fence Masters Inc.; Chicago Heights (IL); On-site; USD 41,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k)

Paid time off

Company vehicle for deliveries

Job summary

Fence Masters Inc. in the Chicago Heights area is hiring a Purchasing & Inventory Planner. The role owns planning, purchasing, receiving, and delivering materials for residential and commercial work, not order-taking.

You will forecast needs from backlog, lock in pricing, and ensure timely job starts to protect margins. Ideal candidates have 3+ years in purchasing or inventory control, strong negotiation skills, and the ability to lift 50+ lbs.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in purchasing, buying, material planning, or inventory control.
• Experience buying against a schedule or backlog, not just reordering stock.
• Track record negotiating pricing, quotes, and terms with suppliers.
• Organized and detail-oriented; follows up and closes loops.
• Comfortable with spreadsheets and business software; able to learn our system quickly.
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
• Able to lift 50+ lbs and work outdoors in all weather; forklift experience a plus.
• Bonus: knowledge of fence/building-material products and Chicagoland/NW Indiana suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Plan Ahead: forecast material needs weeks and months in advance from backlog and schedule.
• Buy Smart: obtain quotes, negotiate price/lead time/terms, and place POs tied to jobs.
• Receive & Control Inventory: verify deliveries, resolve shortages, and keep records updated.
• Support the Field: deliver material to job sites as needed and coordinate with crews.

Skills

Purchasing

Material planning

Inventory control

Negotiation

Forklift experience

Drivers license

Job description

Purchasing & Inventory Planner

Fence Masters | Chicago Heights area | Full-time, hourly (overtime eligible)

Reports to: Commercial Project Manager (dotted line to Operations Manager)

Pay: $30.00 – $34.00 per hour, based on experience, plus overtime

About the Role

Fence Masters is hiring a Purchasing & Inventory Planner to own how material gets planned, bought, received, and delivered across our residential and commercial work. This is not an order-taking role. You will look ahead at our sold backlog and schedule, decide what we need and when to buy it, and make sure we pay the right price for it. Done well, this role directly protects job margins and keeps crews working without delays.

What You'll Do

Plan Ahead

• Review the sold backlog, production schedule, and job estimates to forecast material needs weeks and months in advance
• Decide when to buy — locking in pricing when jobs sell, buying ahead of announced supplier increases, and timing orders around lead times
• Coordinate with project managers, the shop, and installation managers so material is on hand before each job starts
• Flag long-lead items, supply risks, and price changes early

Buy Smart

• Purchase material for stock inventory and for specific jobs
• Get competing quotes from our suppliers on significant buys and negotiate price, lead time, freight, and terms
• Track supplier pricing over time and report on trends and savings
• Build strong working relationships with suppliers, and keep backup sources for critical items
• Enter purchase orders in our software and tie every PO to the correct job for accurate job costing

Receive & Control Inventory

• Receive deliveries and verify them against POs; document and resolve shortages, damage, and substitutions
• Keep inventory accurate in the system and in the yard, including reorder points for stock items
• Run regular cycle counts and support year-end physical inventory
• Stage material by job so crews can load out quickly
• Handle supplier returns and credits

Support the Field (as needed)

• Run material to job sites when crews need it — typically a few times a week, not daily
• Pick up material in person from suppliers when that is faster or cheaper

What We're Looking For

• 3+ years in purchasing, buying, material planning, or inventory control — ideally in construction, fencing, building materials, or distribution
• Experience buying against a schedule or backlog, not just reordering when stock runs low
• A track record of shopping suppliers and negotiating better pricing — bring examples
• Organized and detail-oriented; you follow up and close loops
• Comfortable with spreadsheets and business software; you'll learn our system quickly (it isn't complicated)
• Valid drivers license and clean driving record
• Able to lift 50+ lbs and work outdoors in all weather; forklift experience a plus
• Bonus: knowledge of fence, deck, or building-material products and the Chicagoland/NW Indiana supplier landscape

What We Offer

• Health insurance, 401(k), and paid time off
• Company vehicle for job-site deliveries and supplier pickups
• A growing company backed by a larger platform, with room to grow into a purchasing management role