Strategic Buyer

About the role

CECO Environmental is a global leader in providing sustainable solutions for industrial air, water, and energy transition. Our mission is to protect people, the environment, and industrial equipment, making a tangible impact across industries like renewable energy, semiconductor manufacturing, power generation, and water treatment. As a purpose-driven company, we foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and integrity, ensuring that every project we undertake creates lasting positive change.

The strategic buyer is responsible for purchasing in the assigned geographic region of raw materials, parts, and subcontracted fabrication for engineering projects. This position oversees the overall procurement process starting with identifying (future strategic) needs including input on the sales process regarding costs and available capacity and owns all sourcing activities from supplier selection until close-out.

Responsibilities

• Execute sourcing and purchasing activities for raw materials, components, and outsourced fabrication in line with project and operational requirements.
• Prepare and issue RFQs, evaluate supplier bids, and lead commercial negotiations on pricing, lead times, and terms.
• Select, qualify, and maintain relationships with suppliers and subcontractors, with a strong focus on reliability, quality, and cost optimization.
• Manage the full purchase order lifecycle, including order placement, follow-up, expediting, invoicing, and close-out.
• Coordinate subcontracted manufacturing activities from initial scope definition through final delivery.
• Work closely with Project Management to ensure purchased goods and services are delivered on time, within budget, and according to specifications.
• Support Engineering and Sales by providing input on material costs, sourcing options, lead times, and manufacturing feasibility.
• Monitor and drive supplier performance, addressing delivery, quality, and cost issues in collaboration with internal stakeholders.
• Contribute to supplier consolidation initiatives and identify best-cost sourcing opportunities.
• Maintain accurate procurement data in ERP systems and ensure compliance with company policies and contractual obligations.
• Build long-term, collaborative supplier relationships while maintaining a strong execution focus.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in business or a related field and 5 plus years of experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.
• Successful, multi-year track record in Project Procurement.
• Good basic understanding about manufacturing technologies, especially regarding fabrication technology for steel structures/components.
• Exceptional problem-solving and analytical skills (multiple complex analyses simultaneously).
• Strong planning/project management and negotiating skills are essential.
• Prior experience in the Engineer-to-Order, and/or commercial industrial manufacturing industry is required.
• A team player with a bias for action and driving projects to completion.

Qualifications

Licensing Or Certifications None required; certifications are a plus.

Skills

Exceptional problem-solving and analytical skills, strong planning/project management and negotiating skills, and the ability to work in a dynamic office environment with a focus on administrative processes, customer contact, and internal collaboration.

Benefits

We provide a variety of medical insurance plans, with dental and vision coverage, Employee 401(k), tuition reimbursement, and much more.

Pay and Schedule

Travel required, approximately 10-25% of time, with a valid Driver’s License and the ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally as needed to support assigned business lines.