Purchasing Agent
Illinois Ag, Channahon, IL, United States
Location: Channahon, Illinois, United States
Requisition Number: 45140
A Day in the Life The Purchasing Agent will act as the single point of contact towards the internal customer for procurement related questions; manage local purchasing requests for indirect (non-bill of material) products and services in collaboration with the sourcing and category management organization and guarantee efficient contact implementation/acceptance on site.
What You'll Be Doing
Manage local purchase requisitions for indirect (non-bill of material) products and services according to defined strategies and frameworks
Verify purchase request quality and correct buying channel, aligning with end users on missing specifications
Execute local purchase requisitions
Identify and advise customer on possible modification from original requests (e.g., more cost‑effective alternatives exist)
Screen potential suppliers through basic Request for Information/Proposal process
Select a supplier according to the defined strategy in the category
Process requisition via purchase order or purchasing card
Follow‑up on purchase orders
Be aware of purchase request processing guidelines for all categories to allow for flexible work allocation
Collaborate with local planning function(s) on production schedules and MRP min/max levels
Ensure local purchase requisition approvals are defined and followed
Manage the Procurement function at multiple sites
Be an expert in understanding local catalog content relevant for a particular site and ensure familiarity with relevant category instructions detailing buying procedure, preferred suppliers, etc. for the site (close collaboration with Sourcing Managers and Content Maintainers who will provide these guidelines)
Ensure the use of the procurement procedures by internal customers at the site
If necessary, inform internal customers about required changes and/or preferred alternative buying channels
Guarantee efficient use of the purchasing systems by all users providing them assistance when necessary
Act as a coordinator between the local stakeholders and the procurement organization
Identify, track, and report locally generated savings
Manage and coordinate with local and regional external suppliers
Source and negotiate pricing for all maintenance supplies and services not covered by strategic sourcing agreements
Ensure all purchased materials and services are delivered on time to support a 24/7 plant operation
Coordinate contract implementation tasks with purchasing managers and stakeholders
Coordinate and participate in the execution of the implementation plan
Promote the use of global/regional contracts
Ensure purchases comply with the defined preferred supplier program and are in line with the defined channel strategy
Support strategic sourcing initiatives
Upon request by the Center of Expertise or Sourcing Manager during the sourcing process, provide input on local spend situation and category practices; provide insights on local supplier market; engage local stakeholders to identify any local requirements (legal, QA/regulatory, customer, specifications, etc.); support local supplier qualification assessment; support contract implementation plan development; support ongoing spot‑buy reduction initiatives locally; ensure purchasing involvement in 85 % of all local non‑commodity, non‑logistic spend; monitor recurring spot buys to reduce the total amount of spot buys; highlight potential for catalogue and contract creation based on recurrent free‑text requests; and perform additional job responsibilities as directed by the Purchasing Manager
Skill/Experience Requirements
Bachelor’s degree preferred in a relevant discipline; high school diploma required
Minimum of two years relevant purchasing experience required
Strong analytical thinking (understand complex subjects, decompose into comparable components, structured evaluation and documentation)
Thorough understanding of defined procurement P2P processes
Local supplier market awareness (for assigned commodities) and product/service portfolio insights
Basic sourcing methodology understanding, including total Cost Ownership, Risk Management and Savings/Benefit monitoring
Familiar with the letter and spirit of the laws applicable to purchasing and supply management
Proficiency in SAP considered an asset
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Good computer skills, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SAP
Proven ability to work with minimal supervision
Benefits
Health Benefits: Offering choices so you can enroll in medical, dental, and vision plans that meet your individual needs
401(k) Retirement Plan: Investing in your future with an automatic 5 % company contribution and matching up to 4 % of your contributions
Family Support: 6 weeks of 100 % paid parental leave and fertility coverage for new and growing families
Tuition Reimbursement: Reimbursing up to $5,000 of tuition expenses annually
Time Off: Providing generous PTO based on professional work experience, with accruals of 25 days for 0‑9 years, 30 days for 10‑19 years, and 35 days for 20+ years
The compensation range for this position is $56,936.00 – $64,053.00. In addition to the regular compensation, this role is also eligible for an annual incentive bonus.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
A Day in the Life The Purchasing Agent will act as the single point of contact towards the internal customer for procurement related questions; manage local purchasing requests for indirect (non-bill of material) products and services in collaboration with the sourcing and category management organization and guarantee efficient contact implementation/acceptance on site.
What You'll Be Doing
Manage local purchase requisitions for indirect (non-bill of material) products and services according to defined strategies and frameworks
Verify purchase request quality and correct buying channel, aligning with end users on missing specifications
Execute local purchase requisitions
Identify and advise customer on possible modification from original requests (e.g., more cost‑effective alternatives exist)
Screen potential suppliers through basic Request for Information/Proposal process
Select a supplier according to the defined strategy in the category
Process requisition via purchase order or purchasing card
Follow‑up on purchase orders
Be aware of purchase request processing guidelines for all categories to allow for flexible work allocation
Collaborate with local planning function(s) on production schedules and MRP min/max levels
Ensure local purchase requisition approvals are defined and followed
Manage the Procurement function at multiple sites
Be an expert in understanding local catalog content relevant for a particular site and ensure familiarity with relevant category instructions detailing buying procedure, preferred suppliers, etc. for the site (close collaboration with Sourcing Managers and Content Maintainers who will provide these guidelines)
Ensure the use of the procurement procedures by internal customers at the site
If necessary, inform internal customers about required changes and/or preferred alternative buying channels
Guarantee efficient use of the purchasing systems by all users providing them assistance when necessary
Act as a coordinator between the local stakeholders and the procurement organization
Identify, track, and report locally generated savings
Manage and coordinate with local and regional external suppliers
Source and negotiate pricing for all maintenance supplies and services not covered by strategic sourcing agreements
Ensure all purchased materials and services are delivered on time to support a 24/7 plant operation
Coordinate contract implementation tasks with purchasing managers and stakeholders
Coordinate and participate in the execution of the implementation plan
Promote the use of global/regional contracts
Ensure purchases comply with the defined preferred supplier program and are in line with the defined channel strategy
Support strategic sourcing initiatives
Upon request by the Center of Expertise or Sourcing Manager during the sourcing process, provide input on local spend situation and category practices; provide insights on local supplier market; engage local stakeholders to identify any local requirements (legal, QA/regulatory, customer, specifications, etc.); support local supplier qualification assessment; support contract implementation plan development; support ongoing spot‑buy reduction initiatives locally; ensure purchasing involvement in 85 % of all local non‑commodity, non‑logistic spend; monitor recurring spot buys to reduce the total amount of spot buys; highlight potential for catalogue and contract creation based on recurrent free‑text requests; and perform additional job responsibilities as directed by the Purchasing Manager
Skill/Experience Requirements
Bachelor’s degree preferred in a relevant discipline; high school diploma required
Minimum of two years relevant purchasing experience required
Strong analytical thinking (understand complex subjects, decompose into comparable components, structured evaluation and documentation)
Thorough understanding of defined procurement P2P processes
Local supplier market awareness (for assigned commodities) and product/service portfolio insights
Basic sourcing methodology understanding, including total Cost Ownership, Risk Management and Savings/Benefit monitoring
Familiar with the letter and spirit of the laws applicable to purchasing and supply management
Proficiency in SAP considered an asset
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Good computer skills, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SAP
Proven ability to work with minimal supervision
Benefits
Health Benefits: Offering choices so you can enroll in medical, dental, and vision plans that meet your individual needs
401(k) Retirement Plan: Investing in your future with an automatic 5 % company contribution and matching up to 4 % of your contributions
Family Support: 6 weeks of 100 % paid parental leave and fertility coverage for new and growing families
Tuition Reimbursement: Reimbursing up to $5,000 of tuition expenses annually
Time Off: Providing generous PTO based on professional work experience, with accruals of 25 days for 0‑9 years, 30 days for 10‑19 years, and 35 days for 20+ years
The compensation range for this position is $56,936.00 – $64,053.00. In addition to the regular compensation, this role is also eligible for an annual incentive bonus.
#J-18808-Ljbffr