Purchasing Specialist Jobs in Illinois
Purchasing Specialist jobs in Illinois are consistently active, with strong demand concentrated in manufacturing, healthcare, food and beverage, and distribution sectors at every level from entry-level buyer assistant through senior procurement specialist. Chicago, Peoria, and Rockford are the primary hiring hubs, anchored by established employers such as Caterpillar, Abbott Laboratories, and U.S. Foods, all of which maintain significant Illinois procurement operations. The most in-demand specialties include strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, and inventory cost control. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Budnick Converting, Inc., headquartered in Columbia, IL (in the St. Louis, MO metropolitan area), is a privately held and female owned corporation. Budnick’s primary focus is specialty converting of adhesive coated tapes and foams. Budnick remains on the leading edge of adhesive tape converting technology; currently utilizing over 70 die-cutting, slitting, laminating, printing (including flexographic printing), label making and spooling machines to convert materials into labor saving customized parts. For more information on Budnick, please visit our website at www.budnick.com.
POSITION PURPOSE: The Purchasing Specialist is responsible for assisting the Buyer in ordering production and maintenance materials and products. This role involves building strong relationships with vendors, ensuring the timely delivery of high-quality products, prioritizing purchasing expedites, and keeping internal customers informed about the purchasing status. The role also includes providing coverage for other Purchasing Department & Inventory Control employees when needed.
QUANTITATIVE DATA: Must be able to remain in stationary sitting position for 75% of the time. Must be able to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc., Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine and computer printer. This position requires frequent communication with vendors and other employees; must be able to exchange accurate and detailed information in these situations. Limited travel to vendor training, audits and/or meetings is expected.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Purchasing Management:
- Purchase, manage, and effectively communicate the procurement of materials and supplies based on the PO Suggestions Dashboard and purchasing requests.
- Vendor Relations:
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with vendors, with a focus on the top 20 vendors. Participate in vendor meetings, training, and sales presentations as needed.
- Collaborate with vendors on date changes, price increases, expedites, and quality issues. Ensure proactive communication through email and phone calls.
- Expediting Orders:
- Expedite rush orders based on customer volume, vendor strategy, and sales business case. Involve the Purchasing & Inventory Manager or Application Engineer as necessary.
- Follow up on promised delivery dates and vendor overdue reports.
- Regulatory Documentation:
- Enter regulatory documentation into the ERP system accurately and efficiently.
- Maintain Supplier Price Lists:
- Regularly update and manage supplier price lists to ensure accurate pricing information.
- Collaboration with Teams:
- Work with account managers, sales, estimators, quality, accounts payable, production, and shipping to ensure smooth handling of customer orders.
- Communicate with the sales team regarding vendor interactions, next steps, and priority material needs. Attend quarterly sales team meetings.
- Vendor & Customer Contact Tracking:
- Log and document all vendor and customer contact information in the ERP system. Coordinate with the AP Clerk to maintain accurate contact records.
- Export Documentation:
- Manage export documentation for shipments, including RoHS, NAFTA, Conflict Materials, etc.
- Safety Data Sheets (SDS):
- Request, file, and organize Safety Data Sheets for hazardous items used in production or shipped to customers.
- Assist in identifying products that may be too hazardous for the company to handle.
- Material Receipt:
- Receive materials into the ERP system when necessary.
- Safety Awareness:
- Perform duties safely and always maintain a high level of safety awareness.
- Back-Up for Purchasing Department:
- Serve as a back-up for other Purchasing Department & Inventory Clerk employees by handling their duties when they are absent.
OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Assist in the development of long-term purchasing strategies & help implement the plan(s) developed. Communicate purchasing efficiencies and accomplishments to the Purchasing and Inventory Manager.
- Assist in the training of new and current employees as necessary.
- Follow operation standards and all department policies and company directives and assist with other projects and tasks as required by management.
Skills: Strong communication, organizational and problem-solving skills a must. Should have a working competency with all office equipment. Good mathematical aptitude. EPR experience a plus.
Ability: Conduct business in a professional, positive and courteous manner. Ability to listen effectively, respond clearly, write legible and read a variety of written orders/instructions. Work cooperatively with a variety of individuals. Use resourcefulness and problem-solving skills to meet customer needs.
Education: High School diploma or equivalent. Course work related to general business, purchasing or industry specific topics desired.
Experience: 1-3+ years of purchasing experience preferred.
Hours: 8:00am – 4:30pm
FLSA Class: Non-Exempt
Reports To: Purchasing & Inventory Manager
Salary: $20 - $25/hr. starting wage depending on experience. Paid by-weekly.
BENEFITS: We offer a full-benefit package including the following benefits that are paid 100% by the company: vacation, holidays, $25,000 in life insurance and short-term and long-term disability benefits. We also offer medical (premium cost shared with the company – we pay 99% of premiums for employee basic plan), dental & vision insurance. Insurance benefits start on the 1 of the month after 60 days of employment. 401K retirement plan with a company match of 25% of the 1 6% the employee contributes (match starts bi-annually after 1 year of employment). Reimbursement of travel expenses that includes meals, flights, rental cars, gas and hotels. Profit sharing starts after an employee has been with the company for 3 full years.
Our work environment includes:
Modern Office Setting
Casual work attire
Regular social events
Relaxed atmosphere
On-the-job training
On-site work out equipment
Safe work environment
Interested Candidates should apply on-line at www.budnick.com, under About Us - Careers.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Pay: $20.00 - $25.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
See All 14 Purchasing Specialist Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Purchasing Specialist JobsPurchasing Specialist Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Purchasing Specialist Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Construction & Real Estate
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in purchasing specialist jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, business, or a related field required
- CPSM or CPIM certification strongly preferred by Illinois manufacturers and distributors
- Two or more years of purchasing or procurement experience in a relevant Illinois industry
- Proficiency with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, or JD Edwards
- Demonstrated ability to negotiate supplier contracts and manage vendor relationships
- Strong analytical skills with experience reviewing cost data and purchase order records
Purchasing Specialist Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a purchasing specialist in Illinois?
Most Illinois employers expect a bachelor's degree in supply chain management, business administration, or a related field as the starting point. Illinois does not require a state-issued license to work as a purchasing specialist, but professional certification significantly strengthens candidacy. The Certified Professional in Supply Management credential from the Institute for Supply Management and the CPIM from APICS are the most recognized benchmarks among Illinois manufacturers, healthcare systems, and distributors.
How much do purchasing specialists make in Illinois?
Purchasing specialists in Illinois earn a median of about $47,770 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $37,490 for the lowest 10% to over $64,500 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire purchasing specialists in Illinois?
Employers hiring purchasing specialists in Illinois right now include EP!C, Collabera, and Aspen Dental, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Illinois's deep manufacturing base and large healthcare networks create consistent year-round openings, particularly in the Chicago metro and the Peoria region where industrial procurement is especially active.
Which Illinois cities have the most purchasing specialist jobs?
Chicago, Peoria, and Skokie have the most purchasing specialist openings in Illinois. Chicago dominates by volume given its headquarters density and distribution infrastructure, while Peoria's concentration of heavy equipment manufacturing, led by Caterpillar's global operations, drives steady demand, and Rockford's aerospace and automotive supplier base sustains a reliable share of regional openings.
Are there remote purchasing specialist jobs in Illinois?
Yes, though they are less common than fully on-site roles because purchasing work frequently requires hands-on vendor coordination, warehouse visits, and cross-departmental collaboration. About 25% of purchasing specialist openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with remote options most likely in strategic sourcing and contract management functions where the work is primarily analytical and document-driven.
How can I get hired as a purchasing specialist in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is an associate buyer, purchasing coordinator, or procurement analyst role at a large Illinois manufacturer or healthcare system. Caterpillar, Advocate Health, and U.S. Foods are among the Illinois employers that regularly bring on candidates from adjacent roles in inventory control, logistics coordination, or accounts payable. Completing the APICS Basics of Supply Chain Management course or earning an entry-level CLTD credential demonstrates commitment and gives candidates a concrete edge over others without direct purchasing titles on their resume.
Where can I find and apply to purchasing specialist jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to purchasing specialist jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across industries and experience levels. Find a role that fits and apply directly from the listing.
See All 14 Purchasing Specialist Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Purchasing Specialist Jobs