Supplier Operations Analyst

Grainger Businesses•Lake Forest, IL

22h•$67,300 - $112,200•Hybrid

About The Position

The Sourcing Supplier Operations Analyst executes day-to-day supplier operational activities in support of transactional supplier relationships to ensure accurate, timely, and efficient operations through Sourcing's network of 14k suppliers. This role performs supplier onboarding and supplier data maintenance, serving as a primary point of contact for suppliers and internal partners. Coordinates issue resolution and escalations using standard processes and best practices. Monitors supplier service metrics and operational performance, identifies root causes of execution failures such as order delays, responsiveness issues, or communication gaps, and works directly with suppliers and internal teams to implement corrective actions. This role focuses on consistent execution, process adherence, and continuous improvement to strengthen supplier performance and operational reliability. This is a hybrid position requiring 3 days per week onsite at either the Chicago or Lake Forest, IL office locations.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience in supply chain, business, engineering or other related fields.
2+ years in Operations, Sourcing, Vendor or Supplier Management, or other related experience.
Experience with workflow and data tools (e.g., Smartsheet, SharePoint, navigate reporting platforms like Power BI) to manage work queues, document actions, and report status and performance.
Experience collaborating cross functionally and managing supplier and internal stakeholder interactions by clarifying requirements, sequencing work, and aligning actions through documented communication to support timely execution and issue resolution.
Experience analyzing supplier service and execution issues using structured problem-solving methods, operational data, and metric trends to identify causal factors and define corrective actions.
Experience applying a continuous improvement approach by reviewing execution results against standard work, identifying recurring gaps through data and feedback, and implementing incremental process changes to improve accuracy, cycle time, and operational readiness.

Responsibilities

Execute day-to-day supplier operational interactions for an assigned supplier portfolio by triaging inbound requests, applying documented standard work, and recording outcomes in approved tools to support timely quoting, order execution, and post-order support.
Onboard new sourcing suppliers, educate suppliers about internal process and best practices, and perform supplier maintenance throughout the supplier lifecycle.
Coordinate supplier issue resolution and escalations by using the defined escalation path, facilitating cross-functional handoffs, and tracking actions to closure to reduce service disruption and operational risk.
Support supplier-related execution activities and projects by maintaining trackers, sharing status through standard updates, and aligning required actions with internal partners to meet defined service expectations and timelines.
Partner with suppliers to review supplier operations, make recommendations to improve interactions with Grainger, and influence change.
Use supplier service metrics reporting to review operational performance, identify root causes of issues such as responsiveness, order execution failures, or communication gaps, and partner with suppliers to address them.
Partner with suppliers to recommend process improvements, implement corrective actions, and monitor progress to ensure measurable performance improvement over time.

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans with coverage starting on day one of employment
6 free sessions each year with a licensed therapist to support your emotional wellbeing.
18 paid time off (PTO) days annually for full-time employees (accrual prorated based on employment start date)
6 company holidays per year.
6% company contribution to a 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan each pay period, no employee contribution required.
Employee discounts
tuition reimbursement
student loan refinancing
free access to financial counseling, education, and tools.
Maternity support programs
nursing benefits
up to 14 weeks paid leave for birth parents
up to 4 weeks paid leave for non-birth parents.