Purchasing Agent
Townsend Corporation, Chicago, IL, United States
At The Townsend Company, LLC we are committed to fostering a dynamic and supportive work environment where our employees can safely thrive. Our diverse range of services offers numerous career paths in our specialized industries. Join a team that values safety, excellence and innovation.
Our Mission Our mission is to provide our clients with outstanding service quality in a safe and reliable manner. We develop long-term relationships with our customers by consistently delivering superior service excellence while adhering to the highest ethical and professional standards in our industry. We are committed to reliability, responsiveness and customer-centered solutions.
Who we are Townsend Company LLC and Gunnison Tree Service are industry leaders in utility vegetation management and right-of-way services, supporting electric utilities and infrastructure across the United States. Headquartered in Muncie, Indiana, Townsend operates in more than 30 states, delivering vegetation management, power line clearance, utility line construction, landscape management, and storm response services. Gunnison Tree Service, founded in 1999 by Matt Cathell, has grown into a trusted leader in vegetation management in the Atlanta market. Together, our companies and subsidiaries are committed to safety, operational excellence, and protecting critical power infrastructure while providing rewarding career opportunities for our employees.
We Offer
Weekly pay
Growth & Development within the company.
401k + 4% match.
The Purchasing Manager is a hands‑on role responsible for executing procurement activities while building structure and consistency within the purchasing function. This individual will actively engage vendors, negotiate pricing, and establish a reliable supplier network to support operations. This role is execution-focused, with an opportunity to grow into a more strategic leadership position as processes and systems are developed.
Duties / Responsibilities Procurement Execution
Manage daily purchasing needs including sourcing, quoting, and order placement
Communicate directly with vendors to secure competitive pricing and timelines
Track and manage all purchase orders through completion
Build and maintain a preferred vendor list with documented rationale
Negotiate pricing, terms, and agreements to improve cost efficiency
Evaluate vendor performance and make adjustments as needed
Process & Operational Support
Improve purchasing workflows and consistency across the organization
Support cost control through price comparisons and spend awareness
Collaborate with operations and finance to ensure alignment on purchasing needs
Qualifications Education & Experience
4–6+ years of purchasing or procurement experience
Experience in equipment, fleet, or operational purchasing preferred
Strong negotiation skills with a hands‑on approach to vendor interaction
Ability to build processes while managing day‑to‑day execution
High level of ownership, urgency, and accountability
Strong organizational and follow‑through skills
Experience with purchasing systems and reporting tools preferred
This role is based in an office environment.
This job description is not intended to provide an exhaustive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities required for this position. The Townsend Company and its family of companies reserve the right to modify job responsibilities, duties, or schedules as needed to meet business or operational requirements. Accommodation requests will be made as necessary to support individuals with disabilities.
Additionally, this position is subject to pre‑employment screening, which may include drug testing and a background check.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement The Townsend Company and its family of companies are equal opportunity employers. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where all employees and applicants are treated with fairness, dignity, and respect. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
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Our Mission Our mission is to provide our clients with outstanding service quality in a safe and reliable manner. We develop long-term relationships with our customers by consistently delivering superior service excellence while adhering to the highest ethical and professional standards in our industry. We are committed to reliability, responsiveness and customer-centered solutions.
Who we are Townsend Company LLC and Gunnison Tree Service are industry leaders in utility vegetation management and right-of-way services, supporting electric utilities and infrastructure across the United States. Headquartered in Muncie, Indiana, Townsend operates in more than 30 states, delivering vegetation management, power line clearance, utility line construction, landscape management, and storm response services. Gunnison Tree Service, founded in 1999 by Matt Cathell, has grown into a trusted leader in vegetation management in the Atlanta market. Together, our companies and subsidiaries are committed to safety, operational excellence, and protecting critical power infrastructure while providing rewarding career opportunities for our employees.
We Offer
Weekly pay
Growth & Development within the company.
401k + 4% match.
The Purchasing Manager is a hands‑on role responsible for executing procurement activities while building structure and consistency within the purchasing function. This individual will actively engage vendors, negotiate pricing, and establish a reliable supplier network to support operations. This role is execution-focused, with an opportunity to grow into a more strategic leadership position as processes and systems are developed.
Duties / Responsibilities Procurement Execution
Manage daily purchasing needs including sourcing, quoting, and order placement
Communicate directly with vendors to secure competitive pricing and timelines
Track and manage all purchase orders through completion
Build and maintain a preferred vendor list with documented rationale
Negotiate pricing, terms, and agreements to improve cost efficiency
Evaluate vendor performance and make adjustments as needed
Process & Operational Support
Improve purchasing workflows and consistency across the organization
Support cost control through price comparisons and spend awareness
Collaborate with operations and finance to ensure alignment on purchasing needs
Qualifications Education & Experience
4–6+ years of purchasing or procurement experience
Experience in equipment, fleet, or operational purchasing preferred
Strong negotiation skills with a hands‑on approach to vendor interaction
Ability to build processes while managing day‑to‑day execution
High level of ownership, urgency, and accountability
Strong organizational and follow‑through skills
Experience with purchasing systems and reporting tools preferred
This role is based in an office environment.
This job description is not intended to provide an exhaustive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities required for this position. The Townsend Company and its family of companies reserve the right to modify job responsibilities, duties, or schedules as needed to meet business or operational requirements. Accommodation requests will be made as necessary to support individuals with disabilities.
Additionally, this position is subject to pre‑employment screening, which may include drug testing and a background check.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement The Townsend Company and its family of companies are equal opportunity employers. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where all employees and applicants are treated with fairness, dignity, and respect. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
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