Buyer Job

 Primary location: Gilberts, Illinois 
Relocation offered: No 
Employment status: Full-Time 
Travel: <10% 
Non-compete: No 

The estimated base salary range for this role is “$59,000 to $67,000” per year.  
Individual pay is based upon location, skills and expertise, experience and other relevant factors

​What does it mean to work at Turf Design, a subsidiary of Armstrong World Industries?

It means being immersed in a supportive culture that recognizes you as a key player in Armstrong's future. We are a large company with a local feel, where you will get to know and collaborate with leadership and your colleagues across the company.

By joining us, you'll have the opportunity to make the most of your potential. Alongside a competitive remuneration package, you will receive:

A benefits package including: medical, dental, prescription drug, life insurance, 401k match, long-term disability coverage, vacation and sick time, product discount programs and many more.
Personal development to grow your career with us based on your strengths and interests.
A casual work environment where we have a recognition program for our team, and service awards. You will also be able to make the most of our fitness center and lunchtime cafe. 
A working culture that balances individual achievement with teamwork and collaboration. We draw on each other's strengths and allow for different work styles to build engagement and satisfaction to deliver results. 
​

Reporting to the Procurement Manager, the Buyer is responsible for searching for new suppliers, ensuring that all purchased materials meet company specifications, and negotiating with vendors as needed.  This role assists with the procurement process, including contract management, contract negotiation, and preparation of purchase orders.  Additionally, incumbent builds vendor relationships to secure competitive pricing and on-time deliveries of products, tracks inventory, and restocks goods as needed to keep up with demand of the company. 

What’s in it for you!

• Be a trusted partner to the business
• Networking and Relationship Building
• Paid parent leave, adoption assistance, short- term disability (employer- paid)
• 401(k) plan with generous employer match
• Dedicated training and development to help you grow in your role and beyond
• Collaboration and an open friendly team environment.

What you will do

• Accurately enters and processes purchase orders in a timely manner.
• Problem solves by researching within the database, e-mail exchanges, NetSuite projects, and appropriate personnel throughout the company.
• Diligently follows purchase orders through to completion while working with appropriate parties to quickly resolve issues that delay timely processing.
• Assists in maintaining inventory levels based on demand and past consumption.
• Monitors and negotiates pricing to ensure department stays within budget.
• Updates expected delivery dates and quickly communicates issues that could impact production.
• Finds secondary sources for current single sourced items.
• Generates vendor reports.
• Evaluates the current supplier list for targeted cost reductions.
• Ensures on-time deliveries.
• Sets purchase plans for supply chain and develops back-up suppliers
• Works with other internal departments such as Product Design, Accounting and Operations to resolve issues and concerns.
• Maintains the “receiving” process that tracks on-time quantity and quality to purchase orders from all suppliers.
• Manages and actively participates in the inventory process.

Travel:  Minimal; less than 10%.  Occasionally required to visit vendors and suppliers as needed during normal operations.

What will make you successful

• Bachelor’s degree or 3 to 5 years of relevant experience. 
• Prior experience in a manufacturing or purchasing environment with a focus on accuracy and quality.

• Understands how to prepare and review contracts, invoices, and how to negotiate pricing and terms.
• Comfortable in a fast-paced work environment where processes are still evolving and are updated as needed depending on business requirements.
• Reads and understands work-related materials.
• Prioritizes and multi-tasks for maximum efficiency without sacrificing accuracy.
• Possesses good written and verbal communication skills.

• Professional and pleasant phone manner to service incoming and outgoing calls.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Proficient use of computers and software.
• Proficient use of MS Office Suite and general computer functions.
• Knowledge of Lean tools and methodology.

What will make you stand out

• Knowledge of NetSuite (Oracle, Salesforce, other CRM software) a plus.
• Proficient in Excel

Physical and Mental Demands

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

1. Office Environment – This position operates in a professional office environment and is not exposed to adverse environmental conditions.  This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. No PPE is required.
2. Plant Environment – This position operates in a manufacturing setting and can be subject to extreme cold and hot temperatures; uneven walking surfaces with cords, tools, and other obstacles; intermittent loud noises; and dusty or dirty conditions. Required PPE includes hard hat (when required), safety glasses, earplugs, steel toe/composite boots, and fall protection.

Why should you join Turf Design, a subsidiary of Armstrong World Industries?

Armstrong World Industries (AWI) is a leader in the design and manufacture of innovative commercial and residential ceiling, wall and suspension system solutions in the Americas. With approximately $1B in revenue, AWI has about 2,800 employees and a manufacturing network of fifteen facilities in North America.

At home, at work, in healthcare facilities, classrooms, stores, or restaurants, we offer interior solutions that help to enhance comfort, save time, improve building efficiency and overall performance, and create beautiful spaces.

For more than 150 years, we have built our business on trust and integrity. It set us apart then, and it sets us apart now, along with our ability to collaborate with and innovate for the people we're here to serve - our customers, our shareholders, our communities and our employees.

We are committed to developing new and sustainable ceiling solutions, with design and performance possibilities that make a positive difference in spaces where we live, work, learn, heal and play. It's an exciting, rewarding business to be in, and we're committed to continue to grow and prosper for the benefit of all of our stakeholders. We hope you join us.

Our Sustainability Ambition

"Bringing our Purpose to Life" - lead a transformation in the design and building of spaces fit for today and tomorrow.
We are committed to:

• Engaging a diverse, purpose-driven workforce;
• Transforming buildings from structures that shelter into structures that serve and preserve the health and well-being of people and planet;
• Pursuing sustainable, innovative solutions for spaces where we live, work, learn heal and play;
• Being a catalyst for change with all of our stakeholders; and
• Making a positive difference in the environments and communities we impact.

Armstrong is committed to engaging a diverse, purpose-driven workforce.  As part of our dedication to diversity, AWI is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard for race, sex, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender, protected veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at by email at AWI talent acquisition and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

Come and build your future with us and apply today!