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Purchasing Associate Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Product will be received against purchase orders and staged on shelves, floors, or racking lines to ... Inbound Warehouse Associate Responsibilities include: * Unload vendor trucks, receive products, and ...

Product will be received against purchase orders and staged on shelves, floors, or racking lines to ... Inbound Warehouse Associate Responsibilities include: * Unload vendor trucks, receive products, and ...

Sales Associate

Skokie, IL · On-site

$13.25 - $18.25/hr

Clear career path with opportunities for advancement Our Sales Associates guide customers through ... Your goal is to help customers feel informed, confident, and excited about their purchase. A ...

Sales Associate

Skokie, IL · On-site

$13.25 - $18.25/hr

Clear career path with opportunities for advancement Our Sales Associates guide customers through ... Your goal is to help customers feel informed, confident, and excited about their purchase. A ...

Sales Associate

Skokie, IL · On-site

$13.25 - $18.25/hr

Clear career path with opportunities for advancement Our Sales Associates guide customers through ... Your goal is to help customers feel informed, confident, and excited about their purchase. A ...

Sales Associate/Buyer

Peoria, IL · On-site

$15 - $16/hr

As a Sales Associate/Buyer, you will assist customers with their shopping needs and ensure an ... Responsibilities may include working the register, stocking shelves, sorting, purchasing and ...

Showing results 41-60

Purchasing Associate information

See Illinois salary details

$13

$22

$31

How much do purchasing associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for purchasing associate in Illinois is $22.12, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.85 and $24.47 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a purchasing associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Purchasing Associate, you need a solid understanding of procurement processes, inventory management, and basic financial principles, often supported by a degree in business or supply chain management. Familiarity with ERP systems, purchasing software, and proficiency in Microsoft Excel are typically required, along with possible certifications like the Certified Purchasing Professional (CPP). Strong negotiation, organizational, and communication skills help you build relationships with vendors and manage multiple priorities effectively. These skills ensure cost-effective purchasing decisions, smooth supply chain operations, and reliable vendor partnerships.

What is the difference between Purchasing Associate vs Purchasing Coordinator?

AspectPurchasing AssociatePurchasing Coordinator
ResponsibilitiesAssist in procurement, process purchase orders, maintain supplier infoCoordinate purchase activities, communicate with vendors, track orders
Required SkillsBasic procurement knowledge, organizational skillsCommunication skills, attention to detail, familiarity with procurement processes
CertificationsNone typically required, some may have APICS or CIPSSimilar certifications may be preferred but not mandatory
Work EnvironmentOffice setting, procurement departmentOffice environment, often working closely with procurement teams

While both roles support procurement functions, a Purchasing Associate primarily assists with order processing and supplier data, whereas a Purchasing Coordinator manages coordination and communication across procurement activities. The roles often overlap but differ in scope and focus within the purchasing process.

What does a purchasing associate do?

Purchasing associates monitors company inventory and orders new stock when necessary. As a purchasing associate, you contact vendors, create new order contracts, and ensure the company receives the supplies on time. You may also keep track of inventory budgets and file purchasing paperwork. Qualifications to become a purchasing associate include familiarity with basic office programs and industry experience.

What are some common challenges faced by purchasing associates, and how can they be effectively managed?

Purchasing Associates often encounter challenges such as managing multiple vendor relationships, ensuring timely deliveries, and balancing cost with quality. Staying organized, maintaining clear communication with suppliers, and closely tracking inventory levels are key strategies to handle these issues. Additionally, collaborating with internal departments helps align purchasing decisions with organizational needs, leading to more efficient workflows and better outcomes.
What are the most commonly searched types of Purchasing jobs in Illinois? The most popular types of Purchasing jobs in Illinois are:
What cities in Illinois are hiring for Purchasing Associate jobs? Cities in Illinois with the most Purchasing Associate job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Purchasing Associate jobs in IL? For Purchasing Associate jobs in IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Purchasing Associate job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 69% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $46,016 per year, or $22.1 per hour.

Purchasing & Procurement Associate Director

Wolters Kluwer

Riverwoods, IL

$133K - $238K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 7 days ago


Wolters Kluwer rating

9.0

Company rating: 9.0 out of 10

Based on 28 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

33rd of 242 rated software companies


Job description

Position Summary

The Associate Director - Strategic Sourcing is responsible for leading complex sourcing projects, supplier relationships, commercial negotiations, and strategic sourcing initiatives across the organization.

In addition to directly managing and delivering sourcing projects, the role provides leadership and operational support across the Strategic Sourcing function, helping sourcing teams successfully deliver projects through effective prioritization, resource allocation, workload balancing, escalation management, capability development, and continuous improvement.

The position also drives sourcing transformation, process improvement, and the adoption of technology-enabled solutions to improve efficiency, scalability, and business outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead and deliver complex sourcing projects, supplier negotiations, and strategic sourcing initiatives.
  • Support sourcing managers and sourcing professionals in the successful delivery of sourcing activities and stakeholder engagements.
  • Manage workload allocation, prioritization, and operational delivery across the sourcing team.
  • Act as an escalation point for sourcing, supplier, stakeholder, and delivery challenges.
  • Lead, coach, and develop sourcing professionals to build capability and support career development.
  • Monitor sourcing performance, turnaround times, and resource utilization to support effective service delivery.
  • Lead process improvement and transformation initiatives that improve sourcing effectiveness, efficiency, and stakeholder experience.
  • Support the implementation and adoption of sourcing tools, procurement technology, and AI-enabled capabilities.
  • Build strong relationships with business stakeholders and provide sourcing expertise and commercial guidance.
  • Develop reporting, insights, and recommendations to support operational and strategic decision-making.

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Procurement, Finance, or a related discipline.
  • 8+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, supplier management, or related disciplines.
  • Leadership experience managing sourcing teams or procurement functions.
  • Technology-based commodity experience - software sourcing, a strong plus
  • Experience working within global and matrixed organizations - must have experience navigating complex teams, bringing in cross-functional stakeholders to complete projects.
  • Experience managing sourcing operations, workload planning, prioritization, and service delivery performance.
  • Strong commercial, negotiation, supplier management, and stakeholder management capabilities.
  • Experience leading process improvement, operating model, transformation, or organizational change initiatives.
  • Strong analytical, leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by most people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities and requirements.

Our Interview Practices

To maintain a fair and genuine hiring process, we kindly ask that all candidates participate in interviews without the assistance of AI tools or external prompts. Our interview process is designed to assess your individual skills, experiences, and communication style. We value authenticity and want to ensure we're getting to know you-not a digital assistant. To help maintain this integrity, we ask to remove virtual backgrounds and include in-person interviews in our hiring process. Please note that use of AI-generated responses or third-party support during interviews will be grounds for disqualification from the recruitment process.

Applicants may be required to appear onsite at a Wolters Kluwer office as part of the recruitment process.

Compensation:

$133,400.00 - $238,400.00 USDThis role is eligible for Bonus.

Compensation range listed is based on primary location of the position. Actual base salary offer is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skills, experience and actual hiring location. Your recruiter can share more information about the specific offer for the job location during the hiring process.

Additional Information:

Wolters Kluwer offers a wide variety of competitive benefits and programs to help meet your needs and balance your work and personal life, including but not limited to: Medical, Dental, & Vision Plans, 401(k), FSA/HSA, Commuter Benefits, Tuition Assistance Plan, Vacation and Sick Time, and Paid Parental Leave. Full details of our benefits are available upon request.


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