GEP
Purchasing Specialist - Procurement Operations
GEP, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60290
Company OverviewGEP is a diverse, creative team of people passionate about procurement. We invest ourselves entirely in our client’s success, creating strong collaborative relationships that deliver extraordinary value year after year. Our clients include market global leaders with far-flung international operations, Fortune 500 and Global 2000 enterprises, leading government and public institutions.
We deliver practical, effective services and software that enable procurement leaders to maximise their impact on business operations, strategy and financial performance. That’s just some of the things that we do in our quest to build a beautiful company, enjoy the journey and make a difference. GEP is a place where individuality is prized, and talent respected. We’re focused on what is real and effective. GEP is where good ideas and great people are recognized, results matter, and ability and hard work drive achievements. We’re a learning organization, actively looking for people to help shape, grow and continually improve us.
Are you one of us?
GEP is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability status, or any other characteristics protected by law. We are committed to hiring and valuing a global diverse work team.
For more information please visit us on GEP.com or check us out on LinkedIn.com.
What you will doAs a
Purchasing Specialist - Procurement Operations , you will manage the complete procurement cycle, ensuring efficient transaction and order processing, building strong supplier relationships, and supporting daily operational needs. You will be the key link between internal stakeholders and suppliers, responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and ensuring the timely delivery of goods and services, while also ensuring compliance with company policies.
Key Responsibilities :
Transaction & Order Management :
Oversee end-to-end procurement transactions, from requisition to purchase order (PO) creation, ensuring timely and accurate processing.
Ensure purchase orders comply with procurement policies and align with business needs.
Purchase Requisition (PR) Review & Supplier Identification :
Review purchase requisitions for accuracy and completeness, identifying and vetting suitable sources of supply.
Ensure all supplier selections align with strategic sourcing policies, considering cost, quality, and delivery timelines.
Issue Identification & Resolution :
Proactively identify and resolve issues related to purchase requisitions (PR) or purchase orders (PO), such as pricing discrepancies, delays, and incomplete deliveries.
Serve as the escalation point for procurement issues, providing quick and effective solutions to minimize disruption to operations.
Spot Buy & Bid Process :
Manage the spot buy process, ensuring best value by soliciting competitive bids from qualified suppliers.
Oversee bid evaluations and make recommendations for spot buys based on pricing, delivery, and service considerations.
Supplier Relationship Management :
Act as the primary point of contact for day-to-day supplier interactions at the plant or function level.
Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to ensure high-quality, cost-effective, and on-time delivery of products and services.
Conduct supplier performance reviews and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
Plant & Operations Support :
Provide daily procurement support to plant operations, troubleshooting issues related to sourcing, orders, and inventory.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including production, quality, and logistics, to ensure seamless procurement support for ongoing operations.
PO Generation & Compliance Support :
Generate purchase orders from approved requisitions, ensuring accuracy and adherence to compliance standards.
Support compliance measurement efforts by maintaining accurate procurement records and supporting internal and external audits as needed.
Operational Reporting & Analysis :
Create and maintain reports on key procurement metrics, including cost savings, supplier performance, and compliance.
Analyze procurement data to identify opportunities for process improvement and cost optimization.
Stakeholder & Supplier Collaboration :
Build and maintain strong relationships with both external suppliers and internal stakeholders, ensuring open communication and effective collaboration.
Work closely with internal client users to align procurement activities with business objectives, providing advice and recommendations on procurement best practices.
What you should bring
Education : Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Procurement, or a related field preferred.
Experience : Minimum 3 years of experience in procurement, supply chain, or purchasing roles, with a proven track record of managing supplier relationships and procurement processes.
Technical Skills :
Strong knowledge of procurement systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Ariba) and sourcing tools.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel) for reporting and data analysis.
Analytical Skills : Ability to assess purchasing trends, analyze data, and identify cost-saving opportunities.
Communication Skills : Excellent verbal and written English and Malay communication skills, with the ability to effectively manage relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
Problem-Solving Skills : Strong problem-solving ability, with a proactive approach to resolving procurement and operational issues.
Personal Attributes :
Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.
Strong organizational skills with a keen attention to detail and the ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.
Proactive and customer-focused, with a commitment to continuous improvement.
We deliver practical, effective services and software that enable procurement leaders to maximise their impact on business operations, strategy and financial performance. That’s just some of the things that we do in our quest to build a beautiful company, enjoy the journey and make a difference. GEP is a place where individuality is prized, and talent respected. We’re focused on what is real and effective. GEP is where good ideas and great people are recognized, results matter, and ability and hard work drive achievements. We’re a learning organization, actively looking for people to help shape, grow and continually improve us.
Are you one of us?
GEP is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability status, or any other characteristics protected by law. We are committed to hiring and valuing a global diverse work team.
For more information please visit us on GEP.com or check us out on LinkedIn.com.
What you will doAs a
Purchasing Specialist - Procurement Operations , you will manage the complete procurement cycle, ensuring efficient transaction and order processing, building strong supplier relationships, and supporting daily operational needs. You will be the key link between internal stakeholders and suppliers, responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and ensuring the timely delivery of goods and services, while also ensuring compliance with company policies.
Key Responsibilities :
Transaction & Order Management :
Oversee end-to-end procurement transactions, from requisition to purchase order (PO) creation, ensuring timely and accurate processing.
Ensure purchase orders comply with procurement policies and align with business needs.
Purchase Requisition (PR) Review & Supplier Identification :
Review purchase requisitions for accuracy and completeness, identifying and vetting suitable sources of supply.
Ensure all supplier selections align with strategic sourcing policies, considering cost, quality, and delivery timelines.
Issue Identification & Resolution :
Proactively identify and resolve issues related to purchase requisitions (PR) or purchase orders (PO), such as pricing discrepancies, delays, and incomplete deliveries.
Serve as the escalation point for procurement issues, providing quick and effective solutions to minimize disruption to operations.
Spot Buy & Bid Process :
Manage the spot buy process, ensuring best value by soliciting competitive bids from qualified suppliers.
Oversee bid evaluations and make recommendations for spot buys based on pricing, delivery, and service considerations.
Supplier Relationship Management :
Act as the primary point of contact for day-to-day supplier interactions at the plant or function level.
Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to ensure high-quality, cost-effective, and on-time delivery of products and services.
Conduct supplier performance reviews and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
Plant & Operations Support :
Provide daily procurement support to plant operations, troubleshooting issues related to sourcing, orders, and inventory.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including production, quality, and logistics, to ensure seamless procurement support for ongoing operations.
PO Generation & Compliance Support :
Generate purchase orders from approved requisitions, ensuring accuracy and adherence to compliance standards.
Support compliance measurement efforts by maintaining accurate procurement records and supporting internal and external audits as needed.
Operational Reporting & Analysis :
Create and maintain reports on key procurement metrics, including cost savings, supplier performance, and compliance.
Analyze procurement data to identify opportunities for process improvement and cost optimization.
Stakeholder & Supplier Collaboration :
Build and maintain strong relationships with both external suppliers and internal stakeholders, ensuring open communication and effective collaboration.
Work closely with internal client users to align procurement activities with business objectives, providing advice and recommendations on procurement best practices.
What you should bring
Education : Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Procurement, or a related field preferred.
Experience : Minimum 3 years of experience in procurement, supply chain, or purchasing roles, with a proven track record of managing supplier relationships and procurement processes.
Technical Skills :
Strong knowledge of procurement systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Ariba) and sourcing tools.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel) for reporting and data analysis.
Analytical Skills : Ability to assess purchasing trends, analyze data, and identify cost-saving opportunities.
Communication Skills : Excellent verbal and written English and Malay communication skills, with the ability to effectively manage relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
Problem-Solving Skills : Strong problem-solving ability, with a proactive approach to resolving procurement and operational issues.
Personal Attributes :
Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.
Strong organizational skills with a keen attention to detail and the ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.
Proactive and customer-focused, with a commitment to continuous improvement.