SUPPLY CHAIN SUPPORT SPECIALIST

LECHLER INC•St. Charles, IL

29d•Onsite

About The Position

The overall objective of this position is to support production planning, scheduling, sourcing and purchasing of materials & services, including outsourcing activities to ensure that the products/services are produced and procured efficiently, on time, within budget and to Lechler standards. Responsible for expediting projects by planning, sourcing, quoting, buying and scheduling of projects, supporting supply chain team members, working as their back-up, ensuring the seamless flow of materials from initial sourcing throughout production and participating in the continual improvement program. Lechler is a global, family-owned company specializing in precision spray technology, with a history that dates back to 1879, when it was founded in Germany. Over more than a century, Lechler has grown from a small engineering business into an international leader in nozzle and spray system solutions serving industries such as chemical, automotive, steel, food, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and environmental engineering. As an employer, Lechler is known for combining long-term stability with a strong focus on innovation, quality, and technical expertise. The company emphasizes close collaboration, practical problem-solving, and continuous improvement, while maintaining a culture shaped by its family-owned roots valuing responsibility, employee development, and long-term relationships with customers and colleagues alike.

Requirements

Detail oriented with strong planning, organization and follow up skills.
Able to work independently, assess situations and make timely reliable decisions.
Computer skills including MS-Office Word, Excel, Outlook, Web browsers, ERP.
Performs complex and highly detailed work with accuracy and precision.
Able to communicate (verbal/written) clearly & effectively by presenting concepts / ideas to all levels of the organization with positive attitude and a professional approach.
Able to troubleshoot and solve problems in a fast-paced cross/functional team environment using continual improvement, project management and planning skills.
Willingness to work overtime as needed.
Able to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customer, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical literature/reports, regulatory & legal documents, specifications and standards typically used in procurement and supply chain management, quality, environmental, and health & safety related documents.
Able to keep plant personnel informed about the special needs of customers.
Knowledge of ERP system (basic features and functions).
Associate’s degree in business related fields such as Supply Chain or Business Management from an accredited institution along with 1-2 years of experience in purchasing / procurement / supply chain management OR 3-4 years of equivalent experience.
Must be fluent in English: Read, Write and Speak.
Basic math skills addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, simple algebra, ratios, geometry, converting fractions to decimals, metric to inch.
Must be able to gather, evaluate, use and present quality/business data in an organized structured manner.
Ability to define problem, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
MRP / ERP systems for materials and supply chain management.
Occasional travel required.

Nice To Haves

Ability to read write, speak German is a plus.

Responsibilities

Identify and evaluate potential vendors to ensure a reliable supply of raw materials and components that meet cost, quality, and lead-time requirements.
Extend and maintain Material Master records in the ERP system, ensuring all technical specifications, lead times, and stocking levels are accurate.
Float formal inquiries to suppliers, analyze competitive bids, and negotiate pricing and terms to secure the best value for the organization.
Prepare Purchase Info Records (PIRs), release materials for purchase, and issue formal Purchase Orders (POs) in alignment with production needs.
Monitor open POs and proactively follow up with suppliers to ensure on-time delivery; take immediate corrective action to resolve any shipping delays or transit issues.
Interface with quality teams and suppliers to resolve material non-conformance (NCRs), ensuring defective items are returned, replaced, or credited promptly.
Create and update production workplans and routings to define the sequence of manufacturing operations and required resources.
Schedule projects by reviewing material availability, production capacity and requested completion date of projects.
Schedule and release factory orders tied to customer projects ensuring all milestones are met for customer orders.
Act as a secondary resource for the Planner, Scheduler, Purchasing Agent and Buyer, assuming their core duties during absences to maintain uninterrupted supply chain flow.
Collaborate and participate effectively with cross-functional teams to support continual improvement activities including material disposition, problem solving, implementing CAPAs
Ensure compliance with applicable standard operating procedures by participating in process / procedure creation, review and update.
Compile and analyze records and data, report pertinent information, participate in meetings, prepare and present reports to management as needed.
Maintain professional and technical knowledge by reviewing professional publications and attending educational workshops / trainings.