Purchasing Specialist

**JOB TITLE: PURCHASING SPECIALIST**
- **IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR**:_Purchasing Manager
- **BASIC FUNCTIONS**:_

The Purchasing Specialist is responsible for the tactical procurement of commodities, supplies, equipment, and services to be used by the organization.

This is a Senior Position within the organization, with direct corporate responsibilities. The Purchasing Specialist coordinates his or her efforts with production, warehouse and store supervisors in order to maintain the appropriate level of inventory. This individual will utilize expert knowledge to purchase goods and services that meet quality requirements and specifications at the most favorable price for the company, while simultaneously building and maintaining strategic relationships with key suppliers.

Responsibilities will include the strategic forecasting, contract negotiation, assisting in the development of purchasing policies and procedures for ensuring the availability of all necessary materials required to support the production process, ensuring adequate stock levels for production requirements and meeting customer demands.**RESPONSIBILITIES**:
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- Plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the purchasing activities of the organization
- Help with the development of purchasing policies and procedures and control purchasing department budget
- Identify vendors of materials, equipment or supplies
- Evaluate cost and quality of goods or services
- Negotiate or oversee the negotiation of purchase contracts
- Participate in the development of specifications for equipment, products or substitute materials
- Review and process claims against suppliers
- Sourcing, Negotiation, Contracting & Executing agreements to fulfill Day-to-Day business needs, primarily for High value specialty Materials & Services not available on existing agreements
- Process Improvements and Process expertise for Procurement & Stores
- Commodity Management support (Assisting in Implementing process improvements and Supplier Integration, etc.)
- The Purchasing Specialist is responsible for occasionally leading and aiding in-the-development-of and instituting Optimized Processes. Assigned areas of focus may include; Systems, Procurement Operations, Commodity Management interfaces, Materials, Logistics, Contract Management, Supplier Management and Contract Administration.
- Plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate supply chain activities.
- Develop and implement purchasing/inventory policies
- Establish delivery schedules, monitor progress and contact clients and suppliers to resolve issues.
- Analyze inventory needs based on sales trends and inventory levels.
- Place purchase orders ensuring flow of inventory that guarantees optimum stock levels and meets turnover goals.
- Maintain an extensive database for all orders that is up to date and provides information for analysis and reporting.
- Provide product, storage and order information to all internal departments as requested.
- Stay current with internal and external factors impacting procurement function.
- Research and survey buying markets in order to source the most optimal suppliers, in accordance with corporate objectives.
- Prepare and administer bids, requests for quote, requests for proposal, requests for information, and other vendor documentation.
- Manage service level agreements, scope of work, and contract terms with service providers.
- Calculate annual requirements for products or services and reconcile amounts against available budget.
- Advise departments and business units of lead time required to obtain products or services.
- Make alternate arrangements in the event of shortages or delayed deliveries to minimize impact on the organization.
- One (1) mandatory Saturday every year for inventory (Last weekend of July before Civic Holiday weekend).
- **EDUCATION**:_
- Degree in Business, Finance, Engineering or Supply Chain Management
- **EXPERIENCE**:_
- 3 - 5 years progressive experience in a purchasing role.
- Experience with construction products.
- Comprehensive experience drafting vendor agreements including the ability to strategically assess and mitigate risk with vendors and suppliers through well-structured agreements.
- **Skills, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES**:_
- Exceptional oral and written communication skills to communicate effectively with all levels within the organization and with external stakeholders.
- Oral and written proficiency in both official languages: English and French will be considered as an asset.
- Considerable knowledge of laws, ordinances, and regulations pertaining to corporate purchasing practices.
- Strong writing skills for creating reports, correspondence, contracts, requests, bids, and other documentation.
- Knowledge of the appropriate tools for grading, analyzing, and assessing materials, equipment, supplies, services, and other commodities.
- Demonstrated understanding of integrated supply chain and logistics concepts and theories.
- Exceptional forecasting