Architectural Specialist – Specialty Products

Foundation Building Materials • Addison, IL

3d

About The Position

At Foundation Building Materials (FBM), the Architectural Specialist – Specialty Products is responsible for sourcing, procuring, and coordinating architectural specialty products for large-scale commercial construction projects. The role serves as a liaison among customers, vendors, project teams, and internal stakeholders to ensure products are competitively priced, accurately specified, delivered on schedule, and properly maintained throughout the project lifecycle.

The specialist reviews project drawings, specifications, and construction documents to identify product opportunities, validate scope requirements, and support project execution from bid through final delivery. The position also serves as a subject matter expert for architectural specialty products, particularly specialty ceiling products, and makes procurement decisions within established authority levels.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• At least 5 years of project management, sales support, customer service, construction materials, distribution, or related industry experience.
• Strong understanding of procurement, specialty products, order management, pricing, logistics, and customer relationship management.
• Experience working with ERP, CRM, and project management systems.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Outlook, and Word.
• Ability to analyze information, solve problems, and make sound business decisions.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Extensive knowledge of specialty ceiling products.

Nice To Haves

• Associate or bachelor's degree.

Responsibilities

• Review drawings, blueprints, specifications, and bid documents to identify project requirements and architectural specialty product opportunities.
• Analyze project scope, validate product selections, and identify scope gaps, substitutions, value engineering opportunities, and specification conflicts.
• Collaborate with sales and project teams to develop material packages and support bid strategy, margin optimization, and large-project procurement planning.
• Source and procure architectural specialty products, evaluate vendor proposals and product alternatives, and select sourcing strategies that balance cost, quality, availability, lead times, and project performance.
• Negotiate with vendors, manufacturers, and suppliers on pricing, freight, delivery schedules, and service commitments.
• Analyze market conditions, material costs, vendor pricing, and supply chain constraints to develop procurement strategies and reduce financial risk.
• Make purchasing recommendations and procurement decisions, including vendor selections, pricing structures, and product substitutions within established authority levels.
• Develop vendor relationships, assess vendor performance and compliance, and resolve vendor disputes, pricing discrepancies, and product availability issues.
• Prepare material quotes, pricing proposals, and cost analyses; align pricing with margin expectations, project requirements, and market conditions.
• Review and process pricing changes, revisions, and change orders as project scope evolves.
• Manage purchase orders, order placement, and order tracking to ensure accurate materials and timely fulfillment.
• Coordinate procurement schedules with internal teams, vendors, and customers; monitor order status and address delays, shortages, backorders, and specification changes.
• Support project forecasting and material planning to maintain uninterrupted jobsite operations.
• Coordinate deliveries to meet schedules and jobsite requirements, including proper handling, transport, and storage of products requiring climate-controlled or specialized conditions.
• Work with operations, warehouse, and transportation teams to optimize deliveries and minimize project disruption; resolve freight, damage, and logistics issues.
• Prepare, review, and process submittals, product documentation, certifications, and other project materials.
• Maintain accurate records of quotes, purchase orders, project documents, product specifications, and vendor communications, ensuring documentation meets contractual, customer, and company requirements.
• Support billing review, credits, returns, and discrepancy resolution.
• Provide technical guidance to customers and internal teams and communicate with customers about order status, lead times, delivery schedules, and project changes.
• Partner with sales, operations, purchasing, accounting, and project stakeholders to support execution and issue resolution.
• Monitor market trends, pricing fluctuations, and product innovations; support continuous improvement in procurement, vendor performance, and project execution.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of business objectives.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision plans
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Company-provided basic life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance
• Voluntary life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance
• Critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident coverage
• Legal insurance plan
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid company holidays
• 401(k) plan with company match

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED