Purchasing Specialist I

The Fountain Group; North Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 34,440 - 49,593; Full time

Job summary

A leading service organization is hiring for a role in North Chicago to support purchasing and service orders. The ideal candidate will ensure customer satisfaction by managing requisitions, purchase order fulfillment, and data analytics, requiring strong attention to detail and effective communication skills. Candidates should have a High School Diploma or equivalent and ideally possess experience in MRO or related fields. This position demands 100% onsite presence with responsibilities including data entry and support to technical teams.

Qualifications

• 1 year experience in MRO, warehouse, purchasing, finance, data entry, or analytics preferred.
• Ability to read and understand company policies and processes.
• Ability to learn and use various system applications.

Responsibilities

• Review and enter requests for Maintenance Stock Standardization Recommendations (MSSR).
• Provide support to internal customers with systems, materials, or services.
• Collaborate on cross‑functional projects using advanced Excel functions.

Skills

Attention to detail

Organization

Time management

Effective communication

Analytical skills

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

CMMS–Maximo

SAP-SRM/S4HANA

Smart Sheet

Job description

Compensation

Bill: $35.80
Pay: $25-23
Spread: 173.2-271
Duration: 8 months / through EOY

Environment

Onsite 100% of the time, cubicle setting with six cubicles.

Work Schedule

7:30 AM – 4:00 PM. Overtime is available as needed.

Remote

No remote or hybrid opportunity.

Purpose

Supports the purchasing of items and service orders at Client Lake County. This role ensures high levels of customer satisfaction by acting as a liaison between service provider representatives, customers, and the organization. The employee possesses a working knowledge of Maintenance, Repair, and Operation (MRO) functions to assist with administration and ensure service effectiveness. Responsibilities include managing the process from creating requisition in the MRO systems to purchase order fulfillment, and handling customer service, inventory, reports, expediting, and auxiliary tasks to meet business objectives.

Responsibilities

• Review and enter requests for Maintenance Stock Standardization Recommendations (MSSR).
• Provide support to internal customers requiring assistance with systems, materials, or services not part of the MSA–SOW.
• Provide direct technical support to the MRO Team by responding to complex requests, leading key initiatives, and leveraging procurement systems, inventory management, and data analytics to resolve issues, streamline workflows, and implement process improvements.
• Collaborate on cross‑functional projects, applying advanced Excel functions for report generation and trend analysis.
• Coordinate activities with internal customers, purchasing, and qualified vendors to ensure cost and customer needs are balanced, monitoring and expediting orders as necessary.
• Analyze data and assess recommendations regarding planning factors, material sourcing, vendor selection, and unit cost.
• Cross‑collaborate on MRO technical issues and resolve payable inquiries.
• Implement corrective actions to address discrepancies in MRO inventory, enhancing accuracy and alignment with operational standards and goals.
• Identify process improvements to improve customer service, including new customer requirements.
• Adhere to core behaviors and demonstrate all for one client, decide smart and smart, agile and accountable, clear and courageous, make possibilities real.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent; 1 year experience in MRO, warehouse, purchasing, finance, data entry, or data analytics preferred but not required.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and time management skills.
• Ability to read and understand documents related to company policies, processes, and procedures; ability to sit for long periods for data entry responsibilities.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to learn and use various system applications including Microsoft Office, CMMS–Maximo, cVend, SAP‑SRM/S4HANA, DSP, Smartsheet, and Cognos.
• Basic analytical ability to identify material savings and inventory investment opportunities.
• Inventory control, purchasing, or project coordination experience using CMMS–Maximo and SAP‑SRM systems preferred.
• Nice to have: Basic Microsoft Office proficiency; Smart Sheet certification; SAP and Maximo experience.

Key Stakeholders

USSO, Facilities, MRMC, NCM, AP16, RDI.

Business Unit

Operations – United States Site Operations (OPSO).

Cost Allocation

6003|CC|MRO Stockroom (600561)