Strategic Purchasing Specialist | ERP Supplier Optimization

Jacuzzi Group; Streamwood (IL); On-site; USD 58,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

401(k) with matching program

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Health savings account

Life insurance

Job summary

Jacuzzi Group in Streamwood, IL is seeking a Purchasing Agent to manage procurement across multiple commodities and suppliers, ensuring timely availability of materials for manufacturing operations. You will handle purchase orders, inventory levels, supplier relationships, and cross-functional collaboration to meet cost, quality, and delivery goals.

Qualified candidates will have a Bachelor’s degree in a related field and at least five years of purchasing experience in manufacturing, with strong

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, or related field.
• Five years of purchasing or procurement experience in manufacturing.
• Experience achieving cost savings and supplier performance improvements.
• Experience managing multiple suppliers, commodities, and POs.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Advanced Excel skills and ERP experience (LN-Infor preferred).
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.
• High attention to detail and organization; results oriented.

Responsibilities

• Execute procurement strategies and purchasing plans aligned with production needs.
• Manage purchasing for multiple commodities and suppliers; create/maintain POs in Infor LN.
• Monitor material requirements and supplier commitments to meet schedules.
• Review purchasing/inventory reports to support decisions and address issues.
• Optimize inventory levels, lead times, and stock turnover.
• Develop and maintain supplier relationships for delivery, pricing, service issues.
• Investigate discrepancies between received quantities, POs, invoices, shipments.
• Identify cost savings and process improvements in purchasing.
• Anticipate shortages and disruption risks; develop mitigation plans.
• Collaborate with Operations, Planning, Quality, Finance, and others.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records and compliance with policies.

Skills

Analytical skills

Excel proficiency

Communication skills

Detail oriented

Time management

Independent work

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management or related field

Tools

Infor LN ERP

MS Excel

MS Word & PowerPoint

Job description

The Purchasing Agent is responsible for managing and executing purchasing activities across multiple commodities and suppliers to ensure the timely availability of materials needed to support manufacturing operations. This role will manage supplier relationships, purchase orders, inventory levels, and material requirements while supporting cost, quality, delivery, and inventory objectives.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Execute procurement strategies and purchasing plans that align with company goals, production requirements, and demand forecasts.
• Manage purchasing activities for multiple commodities and suppliers, including the creation and maintenance of purchase orders within the Infor LN ERP system.
• Monitor material requirements and supplier commitments to ensure materials are available to meet production schedules and customer demand.
• Review and analyze purchasing, inventory, and material planning reports within the Infor LN ERP system to support purchasing decisions and identify potential supply issues.
• Monitor inventory levels, lead times, and usage trends to optimize inventory investment and stock turnover while maintaining an uninterrupted supply of materials.
• Develop and maintain effective supplier relationships, addressing delivery, quality, pricing, and service issues as needed.
• Investigate and reconcile discrepancies involving quantities received, purchase orders, invoices, and supplier shipments.
• Identify and implement opportunities for cost savings, process improvements, and increased purchasing efficiency.
• Proactively identify potential material shortages, supply disruptions, and other purchasing risks and develop solutions to minimize their impact on operations.
• Collaborate with Operations, Planning, Quality, Finance, and other cross-functional teams to resolve purchasing and material-related issues.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records and ensure procurement activities are completed in accordance with company policies and procedures.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Compensation is based on experience; $64,000+

The statements in this job description are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required.

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, or a related field preferred
• Five (5) years of purchasing or procurement experience, preferably within a manufacturing environment
• Demonstrated experience achieving cost savings, improving supplier performance, or delivering other measurable purchasing results
• Experience managing multiple suppliers, commodities, purchase orders, and competing priorities
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify issues and develop effective solutions
• Intermediate-level Microsoft Excel skills, including the ability to work with spreadsheets, analyze data, and create reports
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and PowerPoint
• Experience working with an ERP system (LN-Infor preferred)
• Ability to work independently, prioritize multiple tasks, and meet deadlines with minimal supervision
• Strong attention to detail and a high level of organization
• Proactive, self-motivated, dependable, and results oriented
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work effectively with suppliers and cross-functional teams

• Paid time off (PTO)
• 401(k) with matching program
• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance