Purchasing Specialist

Job Description

Purchasing Specialist

Under general direction, instruct, direct, and check the work of senior, intermediate and associate buyers. Responsible for the procurement of materials, services, and supplies. Duties include: contract negotiation, standard contract renewal or cancellation, approving and qualifying vendors, assessing service and/or product quality, and authorizing purchase orders.

About Linamar

Linamar Corporation is a Canadian diversified global manufacturing company of highly engineered products across global industries & markets. From the entrepreneurial seeds planted by our dynamic founder, to the support provided along the way, all Linamar employees are poised for success in this fast-paced and rapidly growing environment. With access to the tools you need to succeed, you will make an impact along with other motivated and engaged people.

Key Accountabilities

• Ensure compliance with all legislative requirements in the facility’s geographic location and:
• The Global Operating System Plays;
• OHSAS 18001:2007 Health and Safety management system standard;
• ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management system standard;
• TS 16949 Technical Specification Management and Linamar Quality Basics system standards.
• Support, Foster, Promote and Demonstrate Linamar’s Core Values and Leadership Behaviors.
• Maintain balance between customer, employee and financial satisfaction by maximizing facility/department Performance Indicators to align to Linamar’s Stepping Stool of Success Strategy.
• Support and maintain department lean initiatives as set out in LPS system requirements.
• Maintain department 5S requirements.
• Review purchase orders for accuracy and compare to vendor quote.
• Distribute completed purchase orders internally or to suppliers and follow-up when necessary.
• Check requisitions for accuracy, completeness and compliance.
• Create purchase orders from requisitions.
• Maintain contract and purchase order records.
• Coordinate with international logistic personnel to ensure proper shipment delivery.
• Evaluate letter of credit documents and collaborate with accounting department to ensure timely financial obligations.
• Monitor and capture purchasing metrics and supplier diversity spend.
• Perform or assist with any departmental operations, as required or directed to maintain workflow or respond to emergency conditions.
• Negotiate/leverage volume pricing, maximize profit margin, and minimize fees
• Minimize risk by ensuring alternative sources of supply for critical items.
• Perform and analysis Monthly forecasting report to ensure and maintain acceptable inventory level.
• Support the organization through activities focused on sourcing and cost reduction.
• Developing supplier alliances and implementing process improvements.
• Occasionally act as liaison between vendors and internal requestors.
  
  

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (BA) in Business Administration, or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience which has provided both theoretical and practical knowledge in the field.
• Analyze monthly sales for current and past years to identify seasonal variations in sales. Also, calculate year-to-date sales, average inventory levels, inventory turnover rates and order fill rates to diagnose purchasing and distribution problems (Numeracy ES Level 3)
• Able to read and interpret engineering drawings with the ability to communicate technical information to suppliers and engineers.
• Communicate with co-workers, customers and suppliers about operational matters. (Communication ES Level 3).
• Judge the quality of products. Evaluate quality of service provided by suppliers. Assess benefits and drawbacks of carrying particular products (Thinking ES Level 3).
• Possess ability to read and understand engineering drawings with the ability to communicate technical information to suppliers and engineers. Locate data in a variety of forms such as invoices, shipping receipts, special order request forms and new product information sheets. Obtain data such as universal product codes, product descriptions and specifications, prices, discounts, taxes, and comments about suppliers and merchandising methods (Document ES Level 2).
• Ability to work independently, but also work in teams with co-workers to ensure effective forecasting, product distribution and marketing. Collaborate with controllers and other buyers to make forecasts and build inventories that are compatible with their companies' sales strategies and budgets (Working with Others ES Level 3).
• Use computer applications and communications software as needed. Create spreadsheets for tracking inventory, planning ordering schedules and calculating costs for purchases (Computer ES Level 3).
• Engage in continuous learning to keep up-to-date information on new products and market trends, and to operate new automated sales and inventory management systems. Learn through daily work experience, by reading trade publications and by talking with co-workers, colleagues and suppliers (Learning ES Level 2).
  
  

Desired Characteristics

• Excellent documentation skills with a keen attention to detail
• Strong verbal and written communication skills are a necessity
• Able to problem solve and troubleshoot in a fast paced and demanding environment
• Flexible and adaptable
  
  

Why Linamar

• Opportunities for career advancement
• Assistance with approved professional designations and fees
• Community based outreach supporting both local and global initiatives and charities
• Social committees and sports teams
• Discounts for local vendors and events, including auto supplier discounts
  
  

Linamar is committed to promoting accessible recruitment as outlined in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. Linamar will attempt to accommodate persons with a disability in an appropriate and effective manner throughout all stages of the recruitment process. Accommodations will be provided upon request