Strategic Sourcing Specialist/Buyer

About the role

As the Strategic Sourcing Specialist at Kalmar Ottawa, you will represent the plant in optimizing spend and supporting category strategies for Steel Fabrication, with an annual forecasted spend of $20 million across 25–30 suppliers. You will lead all supplier-related activities for ongoing production and new product introduction, collaborating closely with operations (Quality, Planning, Finance) and engineering teams. This role demands strong leadership and negotiation skills to manage supplier relationships, select suppliers strategically, and communicate priorities and expected results.

Responsibilities

• Drive profits using cost-saving strategies and project management to lower component and manufacturing costs.
• Implement cost improvement strategies with suppliers to achieve cost targets.
• Optimize the supplier base for your category group and spend responsibilities.
• Develop and implement category strategies, negotiating with suppliers to emphasize quality, delivery, and cost.
• Collaborate with global category managers to align strategies.
• Select and develop suppliers to achieve world-class results in quality, delivery, and cost.
• Demonstrate a business mindset with sustainable results.
• Develop and implement action plans to continuously improve supplier performance.
• Complete project work for the Ottawa plant or other parts of Kalmar.
• Implement and maintain proactive supplier management, including a supplier performance measurement and development program.
• Collaborate with R&D, Project Management, and Operations teams.

Requirements

• Minimum bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or engineering; MBA is a plus.
• Minimum of 3 years of purchasing experience, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with Steel commodities is a plus.
• Experience launching new products is a plus.
• Domestic and possible international travel estimated at 5%–10%.

Skills

• Proven sourcing, negotiation, and contract management skills.
• Documented cost reduction skills and collaborative communication.
• Purchasing/sourcing/supply chain experience, preferably in an OEM or tier 1 supplier environment.
• Value Engineering/Cost Reduction & Standardization experience highly preferred.
• Project Management experience.
• Fluent in English; other languages are a plus.
• Experience with ERP systems, preferably INFOR LN.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Knowledge of Total Quality Management, Lean Manufacturing, ERP/MRP systems, and Supply Chain optimization.
• Proficient in Google Suite (Sheets, Slides) and Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, MS Project).
• Professional ISM affiliation/certification strongly desired.

Benefits

• Meaningful development opportunities through varied assignments.
• Fair and gender-neutral pay with flexible working conditions.
• Generous time-off policy, including vacation, personal/sick time, paid/floating holidays, and paid parental leave.
• Safety-focused work environment with a long-standing commitment to stability and employee empowerment.
• Opportunity to contribute to solutions transforming global trade and environmental innovation.
• Collaboration with a global network of 5,200 professionals across 120+ countries.