Purchasing Specialist I

Job Title:	Purchasing Specialist I
Location:	1400 Sheridan Rd, North Chicago, IL 60064
Duration:	08+ months (possible extension)
Shift Timing:	1st shift, Monday Friday, 7:30 AM 4:00 PM

Salary: $23 per hour on W2.

Purpose
Describe the primary goals, objectives or functions or outputs of this position.

• Supports the purchasing of items and service orders at Lake County. This role ensures high levels of customer satisfaction by acting as a liaison between service provider representatives, customers, and the organization. They possess a working knowledge of Maintenance, Repair, and Operation (MRO) functions to assist with administration and ensure service effectiveness. The MRO I manages the process from creating a requisition in the MRO systems to the purchase order fulfillment. Additionally, they are responsible for customer service, inventory, reports, expediting, and auxillary tasks supporting the MRO team to meet business objectives.

Responsibilities
List up to 10 main responsibilities for the job. Include information about the accountability and scope.

• Review and enter requests for Maintenance Stock Standardization Recommendations (MSSR).

• Provides support to internal customers requiring assistance with systems, materials, or services not a part of MSA-SOW.
• Provide direct technical support to the MRO Team by responding to complex requests and leading key initiatives. Leverage expertise in procurement systems, inventory management, and data analytics to resolve issues, streamline workflows, and implement process improvements. Collaborate on cross-functional projects, apply advanced Excel functions for report generation and trend analysis, and contribute to continuous improvement efforts within MRO activities.
• Coordinate activities with internal customers, purchasing and qualified vendors to ensure cost and customer needs are balanced. Monitor and expedite orders, as necessary.
• Analyze data and assess recommendations regarding planning factors, material sourcing, vendor selection and unit cost.
• Cross-collaborate on MRO technical issues and resolve payable inquiries.
• Implement corrective actions to address discrepancies in MRO inventory, enhancing accuracy and ensuring alignment with operational standards and goals.
• Identify process improvements where applicable for superior customer service including new customer requirements.
• Adhere to core behaviors and demonstrates: All for One, Decide Smart and Smart, Agile and Accountable, Clear and Courageous, Make Possibilities Real.
• Complete and apply all corporate and divisional policies and procedures along with safety and compliance training along with supporting audit documentation requirements for internal Quality, Maintenance Excellence Program (MEP), external regulatory agencies and/or customers.
• Provide backup assistance and actively cross-train with the MRO II position to ensure seamless operational coverage and foster personal and team growth opportunities.

Qualifications
List required and preferred qualifications (up to 10). Include education, skills and experience.

• High School Diploma or equivalent is required. 1 year experience in MRO, Warehouse, Purchasing, Finance, Data Entry, Data Analytics is preferred, but not required.
• Ability to read and understand documents related to the company s policies, processes and procedures. Along with the ability to sit for long periods of time for data entry responsibilities.
• Ability to effectively communicate with others using written and verbal skills.
• Ability to learn and use various system applications including Client Office, CMMS-Maximo, cVend, SAP-SRM/S4HANA, DSP, Smartsheet and Cognos among others.
• Strong attention to detail, organization and time management skills.
• Possess basic analytical ability to identify material savings and inventory investment.
• Inventory control, purchasing or project coordination experience preferred using the CMMS-Maximo and SAP-SRM systems.

Key Stakeholders
USSO, Facilities, MRMC, NCM, AP16, RDI

Years of experience/education and/or certifications required:

• 3 years of experience, someone who is not brand new inventory management.
• Not so much purchasing, writing PO s for service.
• A lot of data entry

What is a nice to have (but not required) regarding skills, requirements, experience, education, or certification?

• Basic Client
• Smart sheet certification if there is one
• SAP and Maximo is a plus