Material controller Jobs in Kitchener, ON

Grand River Foods is a leading food solutions company serving customers in the North American grocery and food service industry. As a member of the Sunrise Farm family, we remain as dedicated as ever to both providing a quality work environment for our employees, as well as producing only the highest quality products for our customers. We are known for the great care we take with clients and employees alike.

Position Summary: The Purchaser is responsible for the timely and cost‑effective procurement of ingredients, packaging, and related materials required to support production schedules. Working closely with Production, Supply Chain, Inventory, and Finance teams, this role ensures materials are available to meet operational requirements while maintaining appropriate inventory levels, supplier performance, and adherence to company purchasing policies. The Purchaser plays a key role in minimizing material shortages, managing supplier relationships, and supporting efficient plant operations.

PRIORITY: Ensure the consistent and reliable purchasing of ingredients and packaging materials to meet production schedule requirements while balancing inventory levels, lead times, and cost considerations.

Vacancy: Bacfill for company project

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Analyze daily, weekly, and monthly material requirements for ingredients and packaging based on production schedules and forecasts
• Create and manage purchase orders using the Company’s MRP/ERP system, ensuring accuracy and timeliness
• Ensure full compliance with company purchasing policies and procedures from purchase order creation through the accounts payable process
• Monitor supplier performance, including delivery accuracy, lead times, and service levels; follow up and expedite orders as required
• Proactively identify and resolve material availability issues, delivery conflicts, and potential supply risks
• Maintain effective working relationships with existing suppliers and support sourcing of alternative options as needed
• Collaborate with Production Scheduling, Inventory, and Logistics teams to align purchasing activities with plant requirements
• Communicate updates related to material availability, backorders, delays, or changes in usage to relevant stakeholders
• Support inventory management activities across on‑site and third‑party storage locations, including usage updates, damaged materials, and product launches or relaunches
• Provide regular reporting and updates to plant leadership regarding backorders, inventory exposure, aging materials, and purchasing liabilities
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives related to purchasing processes, inventory optimization, and supplier management
• Perform other related duties as assigned

REQUIRED SKILL, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma required; post‑secondary education or coursework in Supply Chain, Business, or a related field is an asset
• Previous experience in a purchasing or buyer role within a manufacturing or food production environment strongly preferred
• Working knowledge of MRP/ERP systems and purchasing workflows
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and changing demands
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in data entry and documentation

COMPETENCIES AND 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

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Monday to Friday, on‑site work required
• Manufacturing/plant environment

$58,000 - $68,000 a year#INDHP #LI-IG1At Sunrise Farms we are proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or any other identifying characteristic are encouraged to apply.Please note that the expected new hire salary range provided is derived from a group of like roles within Sunrise Farms. The final offer amount for this role will be dependent on geographical region, applicable experience, and skillset of the candidate.We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.