Lead Buyer – Production & Strategic Sourcing (hybrid)

IDEX; Waterloo; Hybrid; CAD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

IDEX, a leading company in the manufacturing sector, is seeking a Lead Buyer for Production & Strategic Sourcing. This pivotal role involves managing procurement strategies to ensure timely delivery of production parts while optimizing costs and maintaining strong supplier relationships. Ideal candidates will bring over 10 years of supply chain experience and a robust background in vendor management and negotiation.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive supply chain or procurement experience.
• Proven ability to lead supplier negotiations.
• Familiarity with both make-to-stock and make-to-order production processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead procurement strategy for on-time delivery of production parts.
• Mentor junior buyers and manage supplier performance.
• Develop and execute long-term sourcing strategies.

Skills

Negotiation

Vendor management

Problem-solving

Analytical skills

Education

Post-secondary diploma or degree in materials management, supply chain management or business

Industry Certifications (CSCMP, CPIM, CSCP, CCLP)

Tools

MRP/ERP systems (SAP, JDE/Oracle)

MS Office

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

Job description

If you’re looking for a special place to build or grow your career, you’ve found it. Whether you’re an experienced professional, a recent college graduate or somewhere in between, IDEX is a place where you can apply your existing skills and learn new ones in an environment where you can make an impact.

With interesting opportunities in engineering, marketing, sales, supply chain, operations, HR, finance, and more across more than 40 diverse businesses around the globe, chances are, we have something special for you.

Position: Lead Buyer – Production & Strategic Sourcing (hybrid)

Department: Supply Planning

Reports To: Supply Planning Manager

Location: Waterloo, Ontario

Our Commitment: IDEX MPT. is committed to providing a barrier-free workplace. If accommodation is required during the selection or interview process, it will be available upon request. This job posting is available in an accessible format upon request.

Position Summary

The primary function of this position is to lead procurement strategy across a defined commodity portfolio to ensure on-time delivery of production parts while continuously optimizing cost, inventory, and supplier performance. The Lead Buyer plays a key role in supplier relationship management, cross-functional collaboration, and the implementation of sourcing strategies that align with company goals. This position is ideal for a seasoned professional who can proactively solve supply challenges and drive continuous improvement in the procurement process.

Essential Functions

• Lead the release and negotiation of direct material purchases using MRP functionality, balancing cost, delivery, inventory, and quality performance.
• Mentor junior buyers and contribute to team capability-building within the procurement function.
• Develop and execute long-term sourcing strategies, including blanket orders and cost containment plans.
• Collaborate closely with supply planning, production, quality, and engineering teams to maintain continuity of supply and manage change implementations.
• Build and maintain strong business relationships with all key supplier partners through regular communication and performance reviews.
• Actively manage supplier performance to ensure adherence to delivery schedules, cost targets, and quality standards; escalate issues as necessary.
• Coordinate and implement engineering change requests and new product introduction (NPI) with minimal disruption to production.
• Lead reverse logistics efforts for non-conforming and failed materials.
• Maintain and optimize MRP system data, including lead times, safety stock levels, and order quantities in line with plan-for-every-part strategies.
• Monitor market trends and commodity pricing to guide purchasing decisions and risk mitigation strategies.
• Contribute to supply chain initiatives focused on dual sourcing, supply resilience, and lean manufacturing principles.
• Stay informed about emerging technologies and industry best practices that impact procurement and sourcing.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Education

• Post-secondary diploma or degree in a related discipline (materials management, supply chain management or business)
• Industry Certifications considered an asset (CSCMP, CPIM, CSCP, CCLP, etc.)

Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive supply chain or procurement experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience in leading supplier negotiations and implementing strategic sourcing initiatives.
• MRP/ERP experience required (SAP, JDE/Oracle, etc.).
• Familiar with both make-to-stock and make-to-order production processes.
• Proficient in interpreting engineering drawings (SolidWorks, AutoCAD, etc.).

Competencies

• Excellent negotiation and vendor management skills.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and manage supplier performance.
• Intermediate to advanced MS Office skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Committed to continuous improvement and supply chain optimization.
• Strong ability to prioritize and manage multiple procurement projects simultaneously.

Position: Production Buyer (Hybrid)

Department: Supply Planning

Reports To: Supply Planning Manager

Location: Waterloo, Ontario

Our Commitment: IDEX MPT. is committed to providing a barrier-free workplace. If accommodation is required during the selection or interview process, it will be available upon request. This job posting is available in an accessible format upon request.

Position Summary

The primary function of this position is to work proactively to achieve on-time delivery of production parts requirements while continually meeting or exceeding cost and inventory targets as well as quality and design expectations. This will include managing a defined commodity of materials and suppliers for all IDEX MPT needs.

Essential Functions

• Release and negotiate direct purchases of materials utilizing MRP functionality while optimizing cost, delivery, and inventory performance.
• Collaborate closely with the supply planning and manufacturing teams to ensure production requirements are maintained.
• Proactively manage supplier performance and relationships to ensure continuity of supply and escalate constraints as needed.
• Negotiate and execute on blanket order agreements and minimum/multiple order policies to align with plan-for-every-part strategies.
• Develop and maintain effective business relationships with all supplier partners.
• Implement cost reduction strategies and maintain cost baselines.
• Manage and implement engineering change requests and coordinate with internal teams to manage implementation timelines.
• Manage reverse logistics for failed and suspect materials.
• Maintain MRP material system set-up.
• Develop a good understanding of the products, the supply base.
• Be aware of current and emerging technologies as it affects the business implications.
• Work closely with the supplier quality team to ensure all suppliers meet quality expectations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Education

• Post-secondary diploma or degree in a related discipline (materials management, supply chain management or business)
• Industry Certifications considered an asset (CSCMP, CPIM, CSCP, CCLP, etc.)

Experience

• Minimum of 3 years of progressive supply chain management experience in a manufacturing environment.
• MRP/ERP experience required (SAP, JDE/Oracle, etc)
• Familiar with both make-to-stock and make-to-order production processes.
• Familiar with reading engineering part drawings (SolidWorks, AutoCAD etc).

Competencies

• Excellent negotiation skills a must
• MRP/ERP experience required (SAP, JDE/Oracle, etc)
• Intermediate level skills required in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• A strong team-player with experience working in cross-functional teams is preferred
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Good problem analysis and resolution skills
• Committed to continuous improvement within the supply chain
• The ability to multitask and to prioritize those tasks

Are you ready to join a different kind of company where our people, our culture, and our commitments are centered around providing trusted solutions that improve lives around the world?

IDEX is an Equal Opportunity Employer . IDEX gives consideration for employment to qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other consideration or protected category made unlawful by federal, state or local laws.

Attention Applicants: If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, please let us know.Likewise, if you are limited in the ability to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, we will determine an alternate way for you to apply. Please contact our Talent Acquisition Team at [e-mail] for assistance with an accommodation. These contact tools may be used only by individuals with a disability for accommodation requests. Do not inquire as to the status of an application.