Procurement Specialist – Midwest Operations

Purchasing & Order ManagementReview MRP, purchase requisitions, operational requests, inventory positions, and open demand for assigned sites and categories.Create and maintain accurate purchase orders, including item, quantity, unit of measure, price, terms, delivery location, requested date, and required documentation.Obtain supplier confirmations and keep promised delivery dates current in D365.Manage partial deliveries, backorders, cancellations, expedites, substitutions, and PO corrections through closure.Maintain disciplined follow-up on past-due and unconfirmed purchase orders; escalate business-critical risks promptly.InventoryMonitor shortages, below-minimum items, excess or slow-moving inventory, seasonal requirements, and long lead-time exposure.Validate unusual demand and planning signals before ordering; partner with Planning and site teams when requirements or parameters appear inaccurate.Support inventory optimization by reviewing order quantities, lead times, safety stock, coverage settings, and supplier constraints.Manage material stocking for assigned sites, ensuring the right items are stocked at the right levels to support operations.Coordinate transfers or alternative supply solutions when they reduce cost, lead time, or stockout risk.Supplier ManagementBuild effective working relationships with assigned suppliers and maintain clear, documented commitments.Request and compare quotations using total cost, lead time, quality, payment terms, freight, and service considerations.Support negotiations, cost-saving initiatives, supplier reviews, and corrective actions.Source, evaluate, and onboard new vendors to strengthen supply options, competitiveness, and continuity.Resolve delivery, pricing, quality, invoice, and documentation issues with the appropriate internal partners.Systems, Data & ControlsMaintain accurate purchasing and supplier data in D365, including prices, lead times, trade agreements, purchasing agreements, and item-vendor relationships within role authority.Follow purchasing approvals, segregation-of-duty controls, documentation standards, and established SOPs.Ensure purchasing processes are consistently followed across assigned sites and reinforce them with site teams and suppliers.Identify recurring data or process issues and propose practical improvements, automation, or reporting enhancements.Cross-Functional CoordinationProvide clear ETAs and risk updates to stakeholders; avoid surprises by communicating changes as soon as they are known.Coordinate with receiving and Accounts Payable to resolve receipt and invoice mismatches.Participate in site, shortage, supplier, and procurement review meetings as required.Actively support other buyers by providing backup coverage, sharing knowledge, and supporting cross-training across Midwest locations.Collaborate across multiple sites to align purchasing practices, share best practices, and drive consistent, reliable supply outcomes.