Divisional Buyer - Protein

Salary Range: 70000 to 75000 (Currency: CAD) (Pay period: per-year-salary)

Procurement & Sourcing:

Analyze daily, weekly, and monthly protein material requirements based on production schedules and forecasts.
Issue and manage purchase orders in accordance with company purchasing policies and procedures.
Develop and maintain supplier relationships to improve service levels, supply reliability, and overall value.
Support sourcing activities for new products, plant trials, and operational projects.

Supplier & Vendor Management:

Act as the primary point of contact for suppliers
Monitor supplier performance, delivery reliability, product quality, and responsiveness.
Resolve supplier, pricing, quality, and delivery issues in a timely manner.
Maintain accurate vendor records and purchasing documentation.

Inventory & Supply Management:

Monitor inventory levels and consumption trends to ensure adequate supply while minimizing excess inventory.
Work collaboratively with stakeholders to forecast material requirements and prevent supply disruptions.
Proactively identify and resolve material availability issues, delivery conflicts, and potential supply risks
Expedite orders and coordinate delivery schedules to meet operational requirements.
Review aging inventory and identify opportunities to reduce obsolete, slow-moving, or excess stock.

Compliance & Continuous Improvement:

Manage documentation compliance and record keeping for all import protein purchases
Act as main liaison and gatekeeper for all document requirements associated with protein import programs that Grand River Foods may participate in such as DRP (Duties Relief Program), IREP (Import for Re-Export Program),etc
Support audits related to procurement, traceability, supplier approval, and inventory management.
Participate in continuous improvement initiatives designed to improve procurement processes and supplier performance.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

Collaborate with Production Scheduling, Inventory, and Logistics teams to align purchasing activities with plant requirements
Partner with Operations, Quality Assurance, Product Development, and Finance to understand business needs and purchasing requirements.
Communicate purchasing updates, supply risks, and market conditions to leadership and key stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:

Post-secondary education in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Procurement, or a related discipline.
Minimum 3-5 years of purchasing or procurement experience within a manufacturing environment.
Experience managing supplier relationships
Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
Strong understanding of inventory management and purchasing processes.
ASCM (CSCP) / Supply Chain Management Professional (SCMP) designation or progress toward certification.
Experience within food manufacturing or consumer packaged goods.
Experience supporting multiple facilities or business units.

Competencies & Attributes:

Ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced, production‑driven environment
Strong problem‑solving skills with the ability to react quickly and troubleshoot material or supply issues
Clear and professional communication skills, both written and verbal
Ability to assess supply risks and escalate concerns appropriately
Collaborative team player who works well with cross‑functional stakeholders
Reliable, accountable, and able to work independently with minimal supervision
Demonstrates sound judgment, integrity, and respect for established processes
Results-oriented with a continuous improvement mindset.

Working Conditions:

Primarily office-based with regular interaction within manufacturing environments.
Occasional travel to suppliers and company facilities may be required.
Ability to respond to urgent supply chain issues outside of regular business hours when necessary.