Procurement Specialist

Company Description

Procurement Specialist- Midwest Operations

Location: Rock Island, Illinois or Waterloo, Indiana

Techo-Bloc is a North American manufacturer and distributor of premium hardscape products, with 9 production facilities and 15 distribution centers. With 900+ employees, we design products that transform outdoor spaces, from backyards and patios to poolsides and large-scale landscape projects.

We’re a growing organization built on creativity, quality, innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement. At Techo-Bloc, we don’t just sell hardscape products. We shape outdoor experiences and the way people live outside.

Our environment is fast-paced, collaborative, and hands-on. We value people who take ownership, bring forward ideas, solve problems, and want to grow alongside the business.

The Midwest Buyer owns day-to-day purchasing execution for assigned Midwest sites, suppliers, and material categories. The role converts planning and operational requirements into accurate purchase orders, maintains reliable supplier commitments, protects material availability, and communicates supply risks early. The Buyer is expected to work independently, keep D365 data current, and coordinate closely with Planning, Operations, Maintenance, Logistics, Receiving, Finance, and Accounts Payable.

Role impact: reliable supply, accurate purchasing data, controlled inventory, stronger supplier performance, and fewer operational surprises.

Job Description

Purchasing & Order Management

• Review 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.

Inventory

• Monitor 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 Management

• Build 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 & Controls

• Maintain 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 Coordination

• Provide 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.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of purchasing, procurement, supply chain, planning, or related operational experience; manufacturing or distribution experience is preferred.
• Experience creating and managing purchase orders in an ERP. Microsoft Dynamics 365 experience is an asset; SAP, Oracle, or equivalent ERP experience is transferable.
• Working knowledge of MRP, inventory replenishment, supplier follow-up, and basic purchasing controls.
• Comfort using Excel for analysis and operational follow-up; Power BI exposure is an asset.
• Clear written and verbal communication, strong organization, effective prioritization, and consistent follow-through.
• Ability to work with site teams and suppliers, challenge information respectfully, and escalate based on business risk.
• Ability to visit assigned Midwest sites and suppliers as business needs require.

Additional Information

Career Growth and Recognition: At Techo-Bloc, we're career builders. Explore advancement opportunities through our well-defined career paths by department. Your success is our shared responsibility, supported by a culture that values your unique contributions.

Performance-Driven Rewards: Experience the direct impact of your efforts with competitive performance-based bonuses. Join a passionate, driven team that collaborates seamlessly to achieve remarkable results.

Financial Stability: We’ve experienced consistent growth, reflecting our strong financial health and continued geographical expansion across North America.

Collaborative Company Culture: Ditch the silos and join us in driving innovation and excellence together. We support and care about each other’s success! Experience a vibrant culture with 5-star ratings from most of our employees. Leave egos at the door as we engage in activities like brainstorming sessions, lively BBQs, and festive parties, fostering a strong sense of community and belonging.

Why Join Techo-Bloc?

Techo Bloc offers its valued associates a competitive salary, paid time off and a comprehensive benefits package.  Here are a few of our perks:

✅ Salaried role range of $65,000-$75,000 annually based on experience and qualifications
✅ Medical / Dental / Vision
✅ 401(k) + Company Match
✅ Life Insurance + STD + LTD
✅ Paid Time Off
✅ Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
✅ Employee product discounts
✅ Training & Development opportunities

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those whose applications are considered will be contacted.

The use of the masculine gender has been adopted for ease of reading and is not intended to be discriminatory.