Purchasing Coordinator

Purchasing Coordinator

Culture Studio – Chicago, IL. Salary: $55,000 - $60,000. Full-time, Entry level.

The Purchasing Coordinator owns the end-to-end purchasing process for raw materials and supplies, ensuring the right products are sourced at the right time and cost. This role champions an agile, data‑informed approach, proactively managing vendor relationships, negotiating competitive pricing, and driving continuous improvement in price, quality, and delivery.

• Source and purchase raw materials, blanks, and supplies from competitive vendors, balancing cost, quality, and lead times.
• Regularly review pricing and negotiate favorable terms with distributors and mills.
• Analyze cost structures to make informed, margin‑protecting purchasing decisions.

• Manage purchase orders from creation through completion, ensuring accuracy in quantities, pricing, specifications, and delivery timelines.
• Proactively track orders, backorders, damaged or missing goods, and returns to ensure fast resolution.

• Partner closely with Sales to understand order requirements, deadlines, and cut‑off times.
• Collaborate with receiving, production, finance, and brand teams to align purchasing decisions with operational and financial priorities.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for vendors, maintaining clear, timely, and professional communication.
• Build strong vendor relationships that support dependable service and rapid problem‑solving.

• Identify opportunities to streamline purchasing workflows, reduce lead times, and improve data accuracy.
• Anticipate material needs and make quick, informed decisions to keep operations running smoothly, even under pressure.

• 2–4 years of experience in purchasing, procurement, or supply chain management.
• Experience in manufacturing, apparel, or fast‑paced production environments strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of vendor sourcing, negotiation, and purchase order management.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, orders, and deadlines simultaneously.
• Calm, solution‑oriented decision maker under tight timelines and supply chain challenges.

• Ownership‑driven and proactive.
• Process‑oriented with a continuous improvement mentality.
• Confident negotiator who balances professionalism with assertiveness.

• Medical insurance through United Healthcare (2 plan options).
• Dental, Vision, and Life insurance through Mutual of Omaha.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
• Generous annual paid time off.