Buyer

Buyer II

Crystal Lake, IL (On-site)

Compensation: $70,000 to $90,000 bonus based on education and experience

About the Role

A well-established manufacturing company in Crystal Lake is looking for an experienced Buyer to take ownership of the purchasing function as the sole dedicated procurement professional in the organization. This is a hands-on, individual contributor role in a custom manufacturing environment. The right person thinks critically, works independently, and understands the nuances of purchasing in an engineered, custom manufacturing setting where drawing revisions and part number management are part of the daily workflow. The company is currently implementing a new ERP system and candidates with ERP transition experience will be viewed favorably.

This role is open due to growth and is a great opportunity for someone who wants to be part of a collaborative, innovative team producing top-quality precision engineered equipment and is looking to plant roots and grow with a company that values the people behind the process.

This is an on-site role. Local candidates only.

About the Company

This is a medium sized, stable, privately owned manufacturer producing engineered-to-order equipment with long-tenured vendor relationships and a tight-knit team. The culture is built around reliability, precision, and doing things right. The right person will have real ownership of their function and room to grow with the company over the long term.

Responsibilities

• Issue and manage purchase orders based on weekly reorder reports and departmental requests
• Monitor open POs, follow up on delivery dates, and expedite orders as needed to meet production requirements
• Research and resolve PO and receiving discrepancies including wrong items, shortages, and overages
• Manage vendor relationships across established suppliers; negotiate pricing and terms as opportunities arise
• Identify and qualify alternate sources for components; analyze pricing, lead times, and supplier capabilities
• Maintain accurate purchasing records and ensure all required documentation is received and filed appropriately
• Complete new vendor qualifications and conduct annual supplier evaluations to maintain the approved supplier list
• Coordinate data entry across QuickBooks and ERP systems during the current ERP transition
• Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, production, and operations teams to align purchasing with manufacturing needs
• Authorize payments and manage purchasing expenses with accurate record-keeping

Requirements

• BS/BA in Supply Chain, Business, or a related field or an equivalent of 5 years of relevant purchasing experience is required
• 3 years of purchasing experience in a manufacturing environment preferred; prefer an engineered to order, CNC, metal fabrication or related industry background
• Engineered or custom manufacturing purchasing experience is preferred; must be comfortable working with part numbers and drawing revisions
• Blueprint familiarity with engineered components and manufactured-to-spec parts is a plus
• ERP experience required; experience supporting an ERP implementation or transition is a plus
• Understanding of inventory turns, order points, and reorder quantity formulas
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills with the ability to recognize issues and act independently
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple vendors and deadlines simultaneously

Compensation and Benefits

• Strong company bonus
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, and voluntary life coverage
• 401(k) with up to 6% company match
• Tuition reimbursement program available

This is a role for someone who takes ownership of their work, thinks ahead, and wants to be the go-to purchasing professional at a company that values reliability and precision. If that describes you, apply now and let's talk.