The posting
Who we are:
At Upper Canada Forest Products, we’re more than a leading North American distributor of specialty wood products—we’re a team committed to professionalism, care, and creating spaces that enhance lives and the health of the planet. Founded on the principles of integrity and belonging, we’ve built an organization where your contributions truly matter.
Position: Purchaser
Location: Mississauga, ON
Employment Type: Full-time, Onsite
Vacancy: This posting is for an existing, currently open position.
Compensation: $75,000-85,000/yr
Requirements
Deliver the Difference with Us:
As a Purchaser, you will help ensure the right products are available at the right time, quality and cost to support our customers and branch operations. You will build trusted supplier relationships, make informed purchasing decisions and collaborate closely with sales, operations, warehouse and finance teams. Your work will directly support inventory quality, service levels, margin performance and responsible growth.
Your Role and Impact:
Reporting to the Purchasing Manager, the Purchaser will manage day-to-day purchasing activities for assigned product categories and suppliers. This role combines supplier management, inventory planning, market awareness, purchase-order execution and analytical follow-through. The successful candidate will be commercially minded, detail oriented and comfortable working independently in a highly collaborative, fast-paced distribution environment.
Responsibilities:
- Review purchase orders for accuracy, authorization and compliance with company policies and agreed supplier terms.
- Plan and place purchase orders based on demand, inventory targets, lead times, customer requirements and branch priorities.
- Monitor inventory levels, product availability, open orders, aging inventory and potential stock risks; recommend timely corrective action.
- Partner with sales and operations to align purchasing decisions with forecasts, customer demand and service expectations.
- Develop and maintain strong, professional relationships with domestic and global suppliers.
- Maintain accurate item, supplier, pricing, lead-time and purchase-order information in the ERP system.
- Analyze purchasing variances, landed costs, market changes and inventory trends; provide clear reports and recommendations to leadership.
- Identify opportunities to reduce excess and aging inventory, improve inventory turns and strengthen purchasing processes.
- Collaborate with finance on invoices, credits, cost discrepancies and supplier account issues.
- Evaluate suppliers based on product quality, pricing, capacity, reliability, service, lead times and alignment with responsible sourcing expectations.
- Negotiate pricing, freight, terms and other commercial conditions while protecting service, quality and sustainable margin performance.
- Track supplier performance and resolve cost, quality, delivery, documentation and availability issues promptly.
- Stay informed about product, supplier, freight, currency and market conditions that may affect availability or cost.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives and other purchasing or inventory projects as assigned.
What Makes You Stand Out:
- Post-secondary education in business, supply chain, materials management or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience in purchasing, procurement, inventory planning or supply chain, preferably in distribution, building materials, forest products or a related product-based environment.
- Strong commercial judgment, negotiation skills and financial acumen, with an understanding of cost, margin and inventory impacts.
- Demonstrated ability to analyze data, manage competing priorities and make timely, well-supported decisions.
- Experience working with ERP or inventory management systems; familiarity with MRP concepts is an asset.
- Strong Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office skills.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across suppliers and internal teams.
- High attention to detail, follow-through and accountability.
- Knowledge of specialty wood products, lumber, panels, decorative surfaces or related building materials is an asset.
- Supply chain or procurement designation is an asset.
- Experience with trucking and logistics an asset.
Benefits
Why Join Upper Canada Forest Products?
- People First Culture: We stand proudly for our people, supporting success through career advancement, continuous learning, and a collaborative environment.
- Competitive Rewards: Enjoy competitive pay, comprehensive family benefits, tuition reimbursement, and programs designed to support not only you but your family as well.
- Growth & Innovation: Join a company that champions innovation and sustainability—where your ideas drive progress and help shape the future.
- Purpose-Driven Work: Our mission is simple: Deliver the Difference to our customers when they need it, by people who know and care. Every role here makes a real impact on our customers and local communities.
AI Usage & Disclosure: This recruitment process may involve the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or automated tools to assist in screening, assessing, or selecting candidates.
