Strategic Buyer

Who We Are :

Your Marine Carrier of Choice. What we carry is more than just cargo; we carry essential goods that become a part of our everyday lives.

We move cargo that feeds us, keeps our roads safe, helps to build our communities and moves us forward. Marine transportation is the most sustainable mode of transportation and we take pride in being able to move your cargo not only efficiently but also safely and reliably.

Our head office is located in St. Catharines, Ontario. Candidates would be required to be able to commute to this location.

Job Purpose :

The Buyer, Strategic provides comprehensive procurement services to ensure the timely delivery of goods to company vessels.

This role is involved in the entire Procure-to-Pay (P2P) process; from quote to purchase order issuance including expediting and other related functions.

The Buyer, Strategic also supports and executes strategic procurement plans for market-driven commodities and key contracts focusing on sourcing, negotiating and managing supplier relationships.

These activities aim to achieve optimal value, quality, and delivery of goods and services, while ensuring alignment with the organization’s strategic objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities :

• Assist in the development and execution of sourcing strategies for market-driven commodities such as Fuel, Lubes, NaOH, and BWTS chemicals, ensuring alignment with business needs and cost-effective purchasing processes.
• Build, maintain and evaluate relationships with key suppliers ensuring compliance with performance standards.
• Support the establishment and maintenance of an approved supplier list and actively work with Fleet Operations to measure and improve the effectiveness of suppliers.
• Negotiate terms and conditions with suppliers including pricing, service agreements, and contracts to achieve cost savings and secure favorable terms.
• Oversee the purchasing process for assigned categories, including processing requisitions for consumables, spare parts and equipment, PO issuance and tracking deliveries to ensure timely fulfillment of orders for vessels.
• Expedite overdue deliveries and arrange returns or credits for damaged or defective goods.
• Promptly resolve accounts payable issues; identifying root causes and supporting effective corrective actions.
• Participate in managing data systems related to the P2P process, support budgeting as needed and analyze procurement data and market trends to identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Identify and implement opportunities for process improvements in procurement operations, supporting integration with the Integrated Management System and contributing to profit improvement projects.
• Assist in the administration and management of major contracts, ensuring adherence to contractual terms and supplier performance metrics.
• Work closely with technical, operational and logistics teams to align procurement strategies with business objectives and support internal stakeholder’s needs.
• Assume leadership of various projects as directed by the Manager.
• Contributing to continuous improvement initiatives within the purchasing function.
• Ensure all procurement activities are conducted in accordance with company policies, industry standards and ethical guidelines.
• Remain current on purchasing standards, industry trends and best practices to enhance the effectiveness of the procurement function.

Qualifications :

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in purchasing or procurement roles with at least 2 years focused on strategic sourcing and supplier management.
• Certified Purchasing Professional (CPP) or Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) is a plus.
• Strong negotiation skills with a proven track record of achieving cost savings.
• Experience with procurement software, ERP systems and data management.
• Analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and market trends.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for effective supplier and stakeholder relationships.
• Knowledge of market trends and supply chain dynamics, especially in market-driven commodities.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word and PowerPoint.

Join the Team :

Our people are the backbone of our operations and the driving force behind Algoma’s progress and success. So come aboard and join our team of dedicated and highly skilled individuals.

A rewarding career in the marine industry is out there, the only thing missing is you.

Algoma is an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We are dedicated to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills.

All employment is decided on the basis of business need, qualifications and merit. Algoma encourages applications from designated group members identified under the Federal Employment Act.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in Canada without sponsorship from Algoma. Algoma Central Corporation is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals.

As part of this commitment, Algoma will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process please contact [email protected].