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Entry Level Procurement Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Procurement associate

Deerfield, IL · On-site

$63K - $101K/yr

Job Summary Entry level procurement role, which supports the delivery of end-to-end category management at a local, regional - and when appropriate - a global level. The majority of this portfolio ...

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Entry Level Procurement information

See Illinois salary details

$15

$30

$51

How much do entry level procurement jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level procurement in Illinois is $30.72, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.32 and $35.38 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an entry level procurement job?

Entry level procurement jobs are positions for individuals who are new to the field of procurement or purchasing. These roles typically involve assisting with purchasing goods and services for an organization, managing vendor relationships, processing orders, and maintaining records. Entry level procurement professionals often work under the supervision of experienced buyers or procurement managers and develop skills in negotiation, supply chain management, and contract administration. These jobs provide a foundation for career growth within supply chain and procurement fields.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level procurement professional?

To thrive as an Entry Level Procurement professional, you need strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a basic understanding of supply chain or business operations, often supported by a bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, or a related field. Familiarity with procurement software (like SAP or Oracle), Microsoft Excel, and possibly introductory certifications such as the Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) is valuable. Effective communication, negotiation abilities, and organizational skills are crucial soft skills that set candidates apart. These competencies enable efficient sourcing, vendor management, and cost control, which are essential for supporting an organization’s procurement objectives.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level procurement professionals and how can they be addressed?

Entry level procurement professionals often encounter challenges such as understanding complex supplier networks, managing multiple priorities, and navigating organizational procurement policies. Building strong communication skills and seeking mentorship from experienced colleagues can help overcome these hurdles. Additionally, taking advantage of training programs and actively learning procurement software will ease the transition and improve efficiency in the role.

What is the difference between Entry Level Procurement vs Procurement Coordinator?

AspectEntry Level ProcurementProcurement Coordinator
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or associate's degree; some certifications optionalBachelor's degree often preferred; certifications like CPSM beneficial
Work EnvironmentOffice setting; entry-level tasksOffice environment; more responsibility in procurement processes
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in retail, manufacturing, governmentUsed across industries for managing procurement activities
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding entry-level roles in procurementLooking for roles with more coordination responsibilities

Entry Level Procurement roles focus on basic purchasing tasks and require minimal experience, often with a high school diploma. Procurement Coordinators typically have a bachelor's degree and handle more complex procurement activities, including supplier communication and order management. Both roles are essential in procurement departments but differ in responsibility level and qualifications.

How do I start a career in entry level procurement?

To start a career in entry-level procurement, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, with some roles preferring an associate's or bachelor's degree in business, supply chain management, or a related field. Gaining skills in negotiation, data analysis, and familiarity with procurement software can be beneficial, and internships or entry-level positions provide practical experience to develop understanding of sourcing, vendor management, and purchasing processes.

Is entry level procurement a dead-end job?

Entry level procurement roles are typically starting points in supply chain management that offer opportunities for advancement into senior purchasing, contract management, or strategic sourcing positions. Gaining skills in negotiation, vendor management, and industry software can lead to career growth, making it unlikely to be a dead-end job.

What are entry-level roles in procurement?

Entry-level procurement roles typically include positions such as procurement assistant, purchasing coordinator, or procurement clerk. These roles involve supporting procurement processes, managing supplier relationships, and using tools like procurement software, often requiring basic knowledge of supply chain management and strong organizational skills.

What are the most commonly searched types of Procurement jobs in Illinois?

The most popular types of Procurement jobs in Illinois are:

What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Procurement jobs in Illinois?

For Entry Level Procurement jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Entry Level Procurement jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Entry Level Procurement job openings:

Infographic showing various Entry Level Procurement job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 74% Full Time, and 26% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $63,893 per year, or $30.7 per hour.

Procurement associate

Walgreens

Deerfield, IL • On-site

$63K - $101K/yr

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago


Walgreens rating

5.5

Company rating: 5.5 out of 10

Based on 2,206 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

99th of 113 rated pharmacies


Job description


Job Summary
Entry level procurement role, which supports the delivery of end-to-end category management at a local, regional - and when appropriate - a global level. The majority of this portfolio will be regional and/or local in nature and includes working with stakeholders (functional, procurement and supplier), to execute end to-end category management key activities and support functions. Opportunity to develop basic procurement skills through progressively challenging assignments on the path to a procurement profession. This job comprises of five key activities:. Category analytics and project identification. Leading RFI/RFQ/RFP activities for Medium to Low Spend. Cost program support. Database management and supplier due diligence support. Contract administration
Job Responsibilities
  • Utilizes data from the system to provide benchmarks, financial analysis, and spend analysis for assigned business units for planning and decision-making
  • Analyzes data to identify areas of opportunity and potential projects and develops business case in alignment with assigned internal business unit
  • Tracks and coordinate project plans including goals, strategy, resource scheduling, and timelines
  • Effectively project manages work to schedule; managing risk, opportunities, resources
  • Manages competing priorities and is able to deliver on multiple task
  • Leads the RFx Activities for Medium to Low Value Spend
  • Prepares RFx packages, conducting the RFx events as well as follow up activities with the partnership of the Category Management Team
  • Collaborates with and aligns all supporting functions needed for the procurement process including but not limited to Accounting, Finance, Tax, Strategic Sourcing Category Managers, external vendors and other supporting functions
  • Performs operational procurement activities
  • Responsible for providing project coordination and transactional procurement for their assigned internal business units
  • Supports cash flow program communication and process flow
  • Works cross-functionally to develop work flow and procedure documents
  • Supports database management team to ensure databases (contract, spend and supplier) are up to date
  • Supports supplier due diligence during supplier selection and onboarding, consulting with Category and Assistant Category Managers while managing stakeholder expectations
  • Supports ongoing supplier assurance with direct interaction with suppliers, ensuring all periodics are in place and knowing when to escalate
  • Analyzes existing systems/processes to determine more efficient processing methods or to identify errors
  • Catalogue and system item management
  • Oversees simple contract variations and statements of work, working with stakeholders and informing and consulting Category and Assistant Category Managers.
  • Analyzes existing systems/processes to determine more efficient processing methods or to identify errors

About Walgreens
Founded in 1901, Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) has a storied heritage of caring for communities for generations and proudly serves nearly 9 million customers and patients each day across its approximately 8,500 stores throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico, and leading omni-channel platforms. Walgreens has approximately 220,000 team members, including nearly 90,000 healthcare service providers, and is committed to being the first choice for retail pharmacy and health services, building trusted relationships that create healthier futures for customers, patients, team members and communities.
External Basic Qualifications
  • Bachelor's Degree completed by June 30th of the program year.
  • GPA of 3.0 or above.
  • Intermediate level skill in Microsoft Excel (for example: using SUM function, setting borders, setting column width, inserting charts, using text wrap, sorting, setting headers and footers and/or print scaling)
  • Intermediate level skill in Microsoft PowerPoint (for example: applying a theme, formatting character spacing, inserting a picture, changing slide layout and theme colors, adding transitions, customizing slide numbers, changing chart style and/or formatting font) Intermediate level skill in Microsoft Word (for example: inserting headers, page breaks, page numbers and tables and/or adjusting table columns).

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with Smart by GEP or other database system
  • Experience with SAP, Ariba and/or Oracle purchasing systems

We will consider employment of qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
The Salary below is being provided to promote pay transparency and equal employment opportunities at Walgreens. The actual hourly salary within this range that you will be offered will depend on a variety of factors including geography, skills and abilities, education, experience and other relevant factors. This role will remain open until filled. To review benefits, please click here jobs.walgreens.com/benefits. If you are applying on a job board or unable to click on the link, please copy and paste this URL into your browser jobs.walgreens.com/benefits

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