Inventory & Procurement Specialist

Job Title: Inventory & Procurement Specialist

Company: Trossen Robotics

Location: Downers Grove, IL

About Us

Trossen Robotics is a fast-growing leader in autonomous robotics solutions and components. Located in Downers Grove, IL, we design and manufacture cutting-edge robotic platforms for a variety of industries. We're seeking a highly organized and process-driven Inventory & Procurement Specialist to join our operations team and support our mission of innovation and operational excellence.

Position Summary

The Inventory & Procurement Specialist will oversee inventory control, material procurement, and supplier coordination to support uninterrupted production and optimize material flow. Reporting to the Operations Manager, this role integrates ERP utilization, lean inventory strategies, and cross-functional communication to ensure timely material availability, cost savings, and operational efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

Material Planning & ERP System Integration

• Execute Material Requirements Planning (MRP) using Order Time and Excel based on production schedules, sales orders, and inventory trends.
• Interface daily with our ERP system (Order Time) to monitor stock levels, open POs, and demand forecasts.
• Maintain accurate records of material movement and consumption across all locations.

Inventory Management & Material Organization

• Organize inventory storage using lean 5S principles and manage bin-level accuracy with scanning and labeling systems.
• Implement and maintain a 2-bin Kanban system or other lean inventory techniques to reduce shortages and excess.
• Conduct cycle counts and root cause analysis of variances using Access and Excel.

Procurement & Documentation Control

• Process purchase orders with full 3-way matching (PO, invoice, delivery confirmation) and maintain documentation compliance.
• Communicate lead times and availability to stakeholders, proactively identifying supply chain risks.
• Support cost savings through vendor negotiation and alternative sourcing analysis.

Production Line Coordination

• Partner with the Production Supervisor to ensure all material is available prior to production start.
• Respond quickly to shortages and disruptions, resolving issues through expedited procurement or reallocation.
• Forecast material needs for new product rollouts and engineering change notices (ECNs).

Layout Design & Material Flow Optimization

• Assist in developing micro-layout plans that optimize material flow and minimize waste across production, receiving, and staging areas.
• Collaborate with operations leadership on space utilization and workflow adjustments based on throughput data.

Reporting & Data Analytics

• Create dashboards in Power BI to visualize KPIs including inventory turnover, supplier performance, and forecast accuracy.
• Conduct cost analysis, procurement trends, and risk assessments to inform strategic decision-making.
• Use advanced Excel functions (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH, etc.) for material analysis and reporting.

Qualifications

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, or related field.
• 2 years of experience in procurement, inventory management, or supply chain in a manufacturing environment (robotics a plus).
• Proficient with ERP systems (Order Time or similar), Microsoft Access, Excel, and Power BI.
• Strong understanding of lean inventory methods, 3-way match accounting practices, and MRP processes.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Compensation & Schedule

• Pay: $20.00 – $25.00 per hour, based on experience
• Schedule: Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm CST
• Location: On-site in Downers Grove, IL