Job Title: Specialist II – Purchasing/Procurement
Location: Elk Grove Village, IL
Department: Supply Chain / Procurement
Reports To: Purchasing Manager / Supply Chain Manager
Job Type: Full-Time
We are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Purchasing/Procurement Specialist II to join our team. This mid-level role is responsible for executing purchasing activities, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring timely delivery of materials and services. The ideal candidate has a strong understanding of procurement processes, negotiation strategies, and cross-functional collaboration.
Key Responsibilities:
• Place and manage purchase orders in alignment with company procurement policies and operational demand.
• Monitor order status and delivery schedules to ensure on-time receipt of goods and services.
• Develop and maintain relationships with suppliers to support performance, quality, and cost improvements.
• Collaborate with planning, production, quality, and finance teams to resolve issues related to supply, invoice discrepancies, or delivery delays.
• Analyze spend and usage data to identify savings opportunities or areas for vendor consolidation.
• Evaluate supplier performance and maintain approved supplier lists.
• Support sourcing initiatives, RFQs/RFPs, and contract negotiations for assigned commodities or services.
• Maintain accurate procurement data in ERP/MRP systems and ensure compliance with internal controls and audit requirements.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives to enhance procurement efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Qualifications:
Required:
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, or a related field – or equivalent work experience
• 2–5 years of experience in purchasing, procurement, or supply chain
• Proficiency in ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, JD Edwards, etc.)
• Strong Excel and data analysis skills
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
Preferred:
• Experience in manufacturing, distribution, or regulated industry
• Certification (e.g., CPSM, CPIM, PMP) is a plus
• Knowledge of lean supply chain principles
Working Conditions:
• Typical office environment with occasional visits to manufacturing or warehouse areas
• May require some travel to suppliers or other company sites (<10%)
At Nordson, we believe that anything is possible. We empower our global team of employees to engineer, manufacture, and market innovative products and systems that are essential to everyday life. These differentiated products and systems are used for precision dispensing and processing and serve a variety of end markets, including packaging, transportation, medical, and electronics. Founded in 1954, we are guided by our values of integrity, respect for people, customer passion, energy, and excellence. We care for our employees and provide them with opportunities to advance their careers and make an impact, inside and outside of work. Nordson is headquartered in Westlake, Ohio, and has direct operations in more than 35 countries to support our products and systems with application expertise and a direct global sales and service organization.
