Strategic Buyer & Inventory Planner (Distribution)

LHH; La Grange (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

2 weeks vacation

Paid sick leave where applicable by州

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401K

Life Insurance

Job summary

LHH Recruitment Solutions has partnered with a growing organization to hire a Buyer and Inventory Planning Analyst in a distribution environment. This role blends hands-on purchasing with inventory analysis, demand planning, and supplier management to improve product availability and optimize costs.

You will own the purchasing cycle, monitor inventory, coordinate with suppliers, and collaborate with distribution and operations teams to align plans with customer requirements and drive continuous

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Finance, Operations, or related discipline preferred.
• Two years of experience in buying, purchasing, procurement, inventory planning, replenishment, or related supply chain position.
• Experience interpreting inventory data and translating analytics into purchasing actions.
• Experience working with an ERP or inventory management system.
• Advanced Excel skills (PivotTables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP) and data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Manage purchasing activities from demand review and replenishment analysis through purchase order creation, supplier follow-up, delivery, and receipt.
• Analyze customer demand, historical usage, inventory availability, open orders, purchasing patterns, and supplier lead times to support replenishment decisions.
• Evaluate inventory requirements and place orders to maintain product availability while minimizing excess and obsolete inventory.
• Monitor inventory levels across the distribution network and identify shortages, overstock, or unusual ordering activity.
• Develop and maintain relationships with suppliers addressing pricing, lead times, service performance, and product discrepancies.
• Coordinate with operations, logistics, customer service, finance, and other teams to align purchasing and inventory plans with customer requirements.
• Track open purchase orders, communicate changes, and elevate supply risks affecting availability or service.
• Resolve shortages, shipment variances, pricing discrepancies, freight issues, and other purchasing concerns.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records in ERP and document processes.
• Compare supplier pricing options to determine cost-effective total landed cost.
• Partner with logistics to evaluate transportation expenses and reduce inbound freight costs.
• Review supplier performance, purchasing spend, inventory movement, and other supply chain metrics.
• Prepare analyses related to purchasing, replenishment, supplier performance, and inventory health.
• Identify irregularities in ordering or consumption, determine causes, and implement corrective actions.
• Support strategic sourcing, supplier evaluations, contract compliance, and cost-reduction initiatives.
• Contribute to process improvements focused on purchasing controls and inventory accuracy.

Skills

Analytical mindset

Strong communication

Time management

Attention to detail

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management or related

Tools

ERP system

Excel (PivotTables, VLOOKUP, XLOOKUP)

Job description

LHH Recruitment Solutions has partnered with a growing organization to hire a Buyer and Inventory Planning Analyst in a distribution environment. This role blends hands-on purchasing with inventory analysis, demand planning, and supplier management to improve product availability and optimize costs.

You will own the purchasing cycle, monitor inventory, coordinate with suppliers, and collaborate with distribution and operations teams to align plans with customer requirements and drive continuous