Purchasing Specialist at GTI Energy in Des Plaines, IL

PURCHASING SPECIALIST FLSA Status: Exempt   General Summary We are seeking an experienced and motivated Purchasing Specialist I to join our procurement team. The successful candidate will play a critical role in managing the procurement of goods and services, ensuring cost effective purchasing in compliance with procurement policies and federal procurement regulations, and maintaining strong internal customer and supplier relationships. This position requires knowledge of procurement processes, excellent negotiation and customer service skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with various departments to meet organizational goals.   Why GTI Energy? GTI Energy is where complex energy challenges meet bold solutions. With expertise in energy research, technology development, and business innovation, partners across every sector trust us to build and demonstrate solutions for better-performing energy systems. Guided by systems thinking, collaboration, and innovation, we are focused on driving progress that matters for people everywhere. Being part of the GTI Energy team means being surrounded by people that are passionate and purpose driven, empowered to continuously learn, ask hard questions, and leverage their knowledge and experience to drive toward a greater purpose. We offer generous benefits, competitive salaries, opportunities for professional growth and career advancement. We prioritize and maintain a respectful culture, and we ensure reasonable accommodation is made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their role.   Benefits Overview  GTI Energy offers a competitive total rewards package including health coverage, retirement plans, paid time off, and professional development opportunities. A high-level overview is available at: 2026 Benefits at a Glance GTI Energy   Work Location The position will be based in the Chicagoland area at the GTI Energy Headquarters. We offer a hybrid/core work week, where employees are remote Mondays and Fridays, and required to be on-site Tuesday through Thursday, subject to manager discretion.   Primary Responsibilities   Procurement: • Coordinate the procurement of goods and services, ensuring compliance with company policies and procedures. • Examine departmental purchase requisitions for completeness and accuracy; resolving inconsistencies and missing information; determine method to process requisition based on dollar amount, timeline required, and type of purchase. • Create and submit purchase orders to vendors; confirming prices, specifications, and delivery dates orders are placed and resolving purchasing issues with vendors. • Perform compliance activities for purchase orders and subcontract agreements such as obtaining sole source justifications or copies of competitive bids, certificates of insurance, and other required documentation based on state and federal statutes, project-specific requirements, and internal policies and procedures. • Set up, and onboard new vendors and maintain existing vendor information. • Maintain adequate records to document compliance with regulatory and insurance requirements. • Review and process change order requests. This includes analyzing change orders for completeness and accuracy of information and determining the method and steps to process the change order based on dollar amount, sponsor, timeliness required and type of purchase. • Expedite order requests when priority shipment is required.   Supplier Relationship Management: • Maintain strong relationships with key suppliers to ensure timely delivery and quality of goods and services. • Assess supplier performance and take actions address performance concerns.   Compliance and Risk Management: • Ensure compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards. • Identify and mitigate procurement risks, including supply chain disruptions and supplier performance issues.   Policies, Processes, Onboarding, and Training: • Assist the Disbursement Cycle Manager in maintaining procurement policies and procedures. • Support the onboarding of new procurement staff.   Collaboration, Communication and Other: • Assist with month-end and year-end close, prepare relevant reconciliations and reports, and provide documentation for audits. • Work closely with cross-functional teams, including finance, operations, and R&D, to align procurement activities with organizational goals. • Communicate procurement strategies and updates to stakeholders effectively. • Perform other duties as assigned.   Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities • Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills. • Understanding of procurement processes, policies and procedures and federal procurement standards. • Excellent oral and written communication skills and interpersonal skills. Coordination and communication with program managers, vendors, auditors, and other key stakeholders is required. • Ability to ensure customer satisfaction through process of monitoring, developing, improving, and delivering excellent service. • Excellent computer skills including at least intermediate Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams & Outlook. • Skill and ability in accounting. • Ability to develop and manage action plans and projects and manage multiple projects simultaneously. • Well organized, highly detailed oriented, accuracy driven. • Open to new approaches and takes steps to increase knowledge, skills and abilities, both from within and outside the organization. • Ability to analyze and interpret financial data and prepare financial reports, analyses, and reconciliations. • Ability to make evidence-based independent decisions with little to no oversight. • Organized, works well with others, and uses time effectively to accomplish goals/resolve problems. • Ability to foster commitment, team spirit, pride and trust and promote a harmonious work environment. • Possesses excellent work ethic, drive, energy, and persistence to achieve goals. • Must be comfortable with deadlines and operate with a sense of urgency. • Takes initiative to actively collaborate formally and informally with others. • Able to anticipate, identify, & define problems & root causes; & develop timely & practical solutions.   Education and Experience • High School diploma required • Minimum of 1 year of experience in Procurement, Supply Chain Management or other Finance & Accounting-related positions, preferably in the energy sector. • Strong proficiency in procurement software and ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle). • Extensive computer experience including at least intermediate experience in Microsoft Excel, accounting software and internet. • Professional certification (e.g., CPSM, CPP) is a plus. • Project accounting software experience strongly preferred; Deltek and/or CostPoint experience a plus. • Experience with Federal Government grants/ contracts and knowledge of cost accounting principles of allowability, allocability, and reasonableness, along with characterization of direct and indirect costs, in compliance with the FAR (i.e., 31), Uniform Guidance (i.e., 2CFR200), and Government Cost Accounting Standards.   Corporate Office: Physical & Work Environment Requirements • Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods. • Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.   Pay Transparency The salary range for this position is $50,000 - $70,000 USD annually. This salary range is GTI Energy’s good faith estimate, and the actual salary may vary based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, GTI Energy’s business or organizational needs and an individual’s relevant experience, education, qualifications, certifications, skills, seniority, geographic location, and/or performance. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus. The range listed is just one component of GTI Energy’s total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, paid time off, and region-specific benefits.   EEO Statement GTI Energy is committed to developing a barrier-free recruitment process and work environment.  If you require any accommodation, please e-mail us at HumanResources@gti.energy and we’ll work with you to meet your accessibility needs. You must have legal authorization to work for GTI Energy on your date of hire with no further action required by GTI Energy. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and give consideration to qualified applicants without regard to race, color, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, pregnancy, or genetic information.