Procurement Specialist

Friesen-Group-of-Companie; Abbotsford; On-site; CAD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Friesen-Group-of-Companie in Abbotsford seeks a Procurement Specialist to source and manage direct materials for manufacturing, balancing cost, quality, and supply continuity. You will develop strategies, negotiate contracts, and collaborate with cross‑functional teams to ensure compliant, timely material delivery.

The role emphasizes market analysis, supplier performance, and risk mitigation, with an opportunity to improve procurement processes in a regulated environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred in Supply Chain, Business, or related field.
• Experience in direct materials procurement in manufacturing or regulated environments is advantageous.
• Progress toward SCMP/CSCP designation is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Source, negotiate, and procure direct materials in alignment with production needs and cost targets.
• Lead or support RFIs, RFQs, and RFPs for materials and services.
• Develop purchasing strategies using market trends and supplier risk assessments.
• Maintain audit-ready procurement records and comply with company policies.

Skills

Negotiation

Supplier management

Analytical thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Attention to detail

Excel proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain or related field

SCMP/CSCP designation asset

Tools

ERP systems

Great Plains

Procurement software

Job description

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Procurement Specialistis responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and managing the supply of directmaterials required to support manufacturing operations. This role balances costcompetitiveness, supplier performance, quality, supply continuity, and riskmanagement while translating market intelligence into sound purchasingdecisions.

The Procurement Specialist serves as the commercialowner for assigned categories and suppliers, partnering closely with internalstakeholders to ensure materials are available, compliant, and aligned withoperational and business objectives.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Complywith all Company policies, procedures, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Representthe Company professionally and positively in all internal and externalinteractions.
• Workindependently while collaborating effectively as a cross‑functional teammember.
• Maintainorganized, accurate, and audit‑ready records and work practices.
• Performother related duties as assigned.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

StrategicSourcing & Purchasing

• Source,negotiate, and procure direct materials in alignment with productionrequirements, quality standards, and cost targets.
• Develop andexecute purchasing strategies informed by market conditions, historicaltrends, forecasts, and supply risk assessments.
• Lead or supportRFIs, RFQs, and RFPs for materials and services as required.
• Translate marketintelligence into timely purchasing decisions that protect margin andsupply continuity.

SupplierManagement & Performance

• Build, manage,and strengthen relationships with key suppliers to ensure reliable supplyand competitive positioning.
• Monitor supplierperformance across pricing, delivery, quality, and responsiveness,addressing issues proactively.
• Support supplierevaluations, scorecards, corrective actions, and continuous improvementinitiatives.
• Identify,qualify, and maintain alternative or backup suppliers for criticalmaterials.

CostManagement & Market Analysis

• Identifyopportunities for cost savings, cost avoidance, and value creation throughnegotiation, timing, and sourcing strategies.
• Track andanalyze price movements, supply constraints, and market risks affectingkey materials.
• Prepareprocurement insights, summaries, and recommendations to support managementdecision‑making.

RiskManagement & Contracts

• Identify supply,quality, logistics, regulatory, and single‑source risks; implement andsupport mitigation and contingency plans.
• Escalateemerging risks or disruptions with clear, data‑driven recommendations.
• Support contractdevelopment, pricing agreements, renewals, and commercial negotiationswith suppliers.
• Ensurecommercial terms are clearly documented, understood, and adhered to.

InventoryCounts & Variance Reconciliation

• Supportand participate in scheduled monthly inventory counts in collaboration withinventory, warehouse, and finance teams.
• Assistwith investigating, reconciling, and documenting inventory variances byreviewing discrepancies, supporting root‑cause analysis, and ensuring systemrecords and supporting documentation are updated accurately.

Systems,Documentation & Governance

• Use ERP andprocurement systems effectively to maintain accurate purchasing, pricing,specifications, and supplier data.
• Ensure units of measure, delivery terms, specifications, and pricing are accurate and verified.
• Maintain purchasing records and sourcing documentation in an audit-ready state.
• Contribute to the development and adherence of procurement SOPs, controls, and best practices.
• Ensure all procurement activities comply with company policies, regulatory requirements, and ethical sourcing standards.

Cross‑FunctionalCollaboration

• Work closelywith production, inventory, quality, logistics, and finance teams to alignpurchasing decisions with operational needs.
• Provideprocurement guidance to internal stakeholders to ensure requirements areclear, accurate, and achievable.

WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Experiencein direct materials procurement, preferably within manufacturing, feed, food, orother regulated environments.
• Strongnegotiation, analytical, and supplier‑management capabilities.
• Abilityto interpret market data and apply sound commercial judgment.
• Comfortableworking independently while collaborating across functions.
• Experiencewith ERP or procurement systems preferred.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’sdegree in Supply Chain, Business, Commerce, or a related field preferred.
• Relevantindustry experience with demonstrated commercial responsibility will beconsidered in lieu of formal education.
• Progresstoward or completion of SCMP and/or CSCL designation considered an asset.

SKILLS REQUIRED

• Professional,dependable, and results‑driven with high standards of integrity.
• Proactivemindset with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Stronginterpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Excellentorganizational, analytical, and problem‑solving abilities.
• Highattention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Abilityto work independently while maintaining confidentiality.
• Proficiencyin Microsoft Office, particularly Excel; Great Plains experience is an asset.
• Commitmentto company values: hard work, high standards, honesty, and harmony.