Buyer / Purchasing Specialist

Position Title: Purchasing Specialist / Buyer

Location: Ottawa, ON

Work Model: Hybrid - 3 days per week onsite

Additional Notes:

Our client is a well-established Ottawa-based provider of engineering and manufacturing expertise. They are currently seeking a skilled Buyer / Purchasing Specialist to manage procurement activities in a dynamic manufacturing environment. This role is key to ensuring cost-effective sourcing, strong supplier relationships, and the timely delivery of quality products, while leading cost and risk reduction initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

The Buyer / Purchasing Specialist will oversee procurement activities for assigned plants or commodities, including raw materials, equipment, tools, parts, supplies, and services. This role ensures cost control, supplier performance, and the timely delivery of quality products, while driving site-level cost and risk reduction initiatives through effective sourcing and project management.

Key responsibilities include:

Issue and manage purchase orders in alignment with company policies, ethical standards, and compliance requirements.

Ensure on-time delivery by working proactively with suppliers to confirm orders, track progress, coordinate logistics, and expedite or escalate as necessary.

Resolve invoice, purchase order, and receiving discrepancies, and collaborate with quality teams to address and correct supplier-related issues.

Analyze procurement and spend data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities; prepare reports and recommendations to support decision-making.

Identify and mitigate supply chain risks, including vendor dependency, price volatility, and potential supply disruptions, and support the site-level annual risk assessment process.

Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships, monitor performance, and address any supply chain concerns to ensure consistent quality and service.

Lead site or commodity-level sourcing projects using market data, stakeholder input, and RFx processes to select suppliers based on capability and total cost of ownership.

Negotiate pricing agreements and ensure compliance with broader supply agreements at the local site.

Recommend and implement process improvements to enhance procurement efficiency and effectiveness.

Lead cross-functional project teams to execute cost savings initiatives, including idea generation, data analysis, supplier negotiations, and project management.

Monitor market trends, pricing fluctuations, and cost pressures that could impact the organization.

The ideal candidate will hold a degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Purchasing, or a related field, complemented by a minimum of four years of procurement experience, and a minimum of 2 years within a manufacturing environment. Eligibility for security clearance will be required. The successful individual will possess a strong understanding of supply chain management, procurement strategies, and vendor negotiation techniques. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential, enabling effective collaboration with suppliers and internal stakeholders. Proficiency in ERP systems and procurement software such as Visual Manufacturing, or SAP is expected. The candidate should demonstrate strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with a focus on cost reduction and process improvement. Additionally, the ability to work independently and lead procurement projects from start to finish will be crucial for success in this role.

What will make you stand out:

Proven track record of driving significant cost savings and efficiency improvements through strategic sourcing and supplier negotiations in a manufacturing setting.

Experience working with cross-functional teams to successfully execute complex procurement projects and supply chain risk mitigation initiatives.

Demonstrated ability to leverage advanced ERP and procurement software tools to streamline purchasing processes and improve data-driven decision making.

Strong adaptability and problem-solving skills, with a proactive approach to identifying market trends and addressing supply chain challenges before they impact operations. Interested candidates are encouraged to reach out to Emily at

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