A well-established manufacturing organization is seeking an experienced Senior Buyer to lead strategic procurement across key direct-material categories and external manufacturing partners. This is a hands-on role focused on securing supply, optimizing costs, managing supplier relationships, and supporting production continuity.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for steel and aluminum — both are MUST-HAVE areas of experience — along with other high-value materials and components.
• Manage strategic suppliers, including mills, service centres, subcontract manufacturers, and outside processors.
• Lead RFQs/RFPs, cost analysis, negotiations, contracts, and long-term supply agreements.
• Monitor commodity markets, pricing trends, lead times, and supply-chain risks.
• Identify and qualify alternative suppliers to improve resilience and mitigate supply risk.
• Manage third-party processing and subcontract manufacturing, including company-owned materials held or processed externally.
• Monitor supplier performance across quality, delivery, responsiveness, and lead times.
• Partner with Engineering, Quality, Production, Scheduling, and other internal teams to resolve issues and align purchasing with demand.
• Manage inventory strategies for long-lead-time materials, including safety stock, forecasting, and blanket purchasing arrangements.
• Drive cost-reduction, value-engineering, and alternative-sourcing initiatives.
• Contribute to continuous improvement and procurement process optimization.

Ideal Background

• 5–8+ years of progressive purchasing/procurement experience within a manufacturing environment.
• MUST have direct purchasing/sourcing experience with steel and aluminum. Experience with steel coil, flat-rolled steel, aluminum extrusions, or comparable commodities is highly relevant.
• Experience with subcontract manufacturing and outside processing.
• Strong understanding of commodity purchasing, supplier negotiations, cost modelling, and supply-chain risk management.
• Experience managing high-value, long-lead-time materials and supplier agreements.
• Post-secondary education in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• SCMP, CPSM, or equivalent designation is an asset.
• Knowledge of tariffs, duties, and cross-border purchasing is an advantage.

Skills & Systems

• Strong negotiation, analytical, financial, and supplier-management capabilities.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables and data analysis.
• Familiarity with MRP systems; JD Edwards experience is an asset.
• Comfortable using AI-enabled tools and applications.

This opportunity is best suited to a strategic, commercially minded procurement professional who has hands-on experience buying and managing steel and aluminum within a manufacturing environment.