Project Procurement Lead (PPL) - REM

ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc; Cambridge; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading automation solutions company in Cambridge is seeking a Project Procurement Lead to manage supplier relationships and optimize purchasing strategies. The ideal candidate will have a post-secondary diploma, at least 5 years of experience in purchasing, and strong negotiation and analytical skills. The role supports critical projects in life sciences, contributing to improvements in product delivery and cost management. Join a team dedicated to innovation and continuous improvement while enjoying competitive total rewards.

Benefits

Comprehensive health and dental benefits

Tuition reimbursement program

5% RRSP matching program

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in Purchasing (or equivalent).
• Advanced knowledge of MS Office software including Excel.
• Experience in a custom manufacturing environment is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Track and maintain purchase order deliveries for on-time schedules.
• Communicate, evaluate, and approve suppliers to meet company goals.
• Negotiate prices and delivery arrangements with suppliers.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Education

Post-secondary diploma or degree in materials management

Tools

MS Office

Excel

Job description

ATS Company: Life Sciences Systems

Location: Cambridge, ON, CA, N3H 4R7

The world isn’t standing still, and neither is ATS Life Sciences - We don’t follow the trends. We set them! Are you interested in being part of a team that makes a difference? Join our growing ATS Life Sciences Systems team a division of ATS Corporation, a publicly traded global enterprise with a proud history, we are helping advance the future with our factory-wide automation solutions. Within Life Sciences Systems, what we do matters – we custom design, build and service critical automated solutions for medical device and pharmaceutical companies. We are dedicated to assisting our customers in improving the quality of life for people around the world. When there is no room for error, and product failure is not an option, leading life sciences companies trust us to resolve their production challenges.

Job Description

Reporting to the Supply Chain Manager, the Project Procurement Lead will be the technical liaison between suppliers, Designers and Supply Chain to achieve project and departmental goals, objectives, and best practices.

Responsibilities include:

• Track, monitor and maintain purchase order deliveries to drive on-time delivery to schedules.
• Communicate with, evaluate, and approve suppliers to ascertain their ability to meet company requirements, goals, and objectives.
• Negotiate prices, discounts, and delivery arrangements with suppliers.
• Perform on-going reviews of product, service, equipment, and expense usage to identify new opportunities for cost savings.
• Effective use of historical and other benchmarking data to ensure competitive pricing.
• Manage cost containment, product standardization, supplier consolidation and benchmarking reports, and other supply chain management strategies that maximise value while ensuring that ATS standards are maintained or enhanced.
• Act as a key resource for ATS staff by assisting in the research and development of products, service and equipment alternatives, initiation and follow-up of evaluations, requests for quotation and other day to day procurement.
• Maintain favourable Terms and Conditions for ATS.
• Maintain a focus on vendor capacities to enable low-cost design and facilitate a collaborative working relationship between Designers and Suppliers.
• As a key member of new product design teams, advise the project regarding supplier capabilities to achieve lowest cost compliant solutions.
• Understand the product from initial design and provide early input regarding ease and cost of supply.
• Engage suppliers early in the project life to gain their appropriate input into product solutions.
• Support the development of engineering design methodology from a Supply Chain perspective to ensure successful execution through the supply chain.
• Maintain a preferred parts list and use it to drive selection of common parts and design features across multiple projects.
• Devise and implement a project procurement plan.
• Ensure that project parts delivery needs are met in a timely manner through all project phases.
• Maintain regular product material cost metrics for each project and achieve project cost requirements.
• Understand the ATS Business Model (ABM) fundamentals, value drivers and concepts, and be accountable within your role to objective data analysis, reporting and driving continuous improvement.
• Identify, lead, and complete up to medium‑high complexity Continuous Improvement opportunities (e.g., Just Do It, Problem Solving, and Kaizen) using a variety of Continuous Improvement tools and become ABM Bootcamp certified no later than 18 months in the position (internal training will be provided).
• Lead Daily Visual Management meetings.

Qualifications

Education

• A post‑secondary diploma or degree in materials management or equivalent. Supply Chain Canada (or equivalent) designation is an asset. PMP training or certification is an asset. Manufacturing or Engineering education or experience is an asset.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in Purchasing (or equivalent)
• Experience in a custom manufacturing environment is an asset.
• Advanced knowledge of MS Office software including Excel - pivot tables & VLOOKUP + Power Point - presentations
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings is an asset.
• Proven organisational and negotiation skills.
• Excellent oral, interpersonal, and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated problem solving and continuous improvement skills.
• Demonstrated ability to interact in a team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead initiatives on a cross‑functional team.
• Demonstrated strong analytical, organisational, exercised sound judgment and work without direct supervision in a team environment.
• Highly motivated, customer‑focused team player and innovator.

Health, Safety and Environmental

All employees have the responsibility to work in a safe manner and report any health, safety or environmental concern to their manager or supervisor in a timely manner.

• Work in compliance with divisional health, safety, and environmental procedures.
• Refrain from removing or altering safety devices or guarding unless hazardous energies are controlled through lockout‑tagout methods.
• Report any unsafe conditions or unsafe acts.
• Report defect in any equipment or protective device.Ensure that the required protective equipment is used for the assigned tasks.
• Attend all required health, safety, and environmental training.
• Report any accidents/incidents to supervisor.
• Assist in investigating accidents/incidents.
• Refrain from engaging in any prank, contest, feat of strength, unnecessary running, or rough and boisterous conduct.

To be excited about this role, but do not meet all the qualifications listed above, you are still encouraged to apply.

Why YOU should join our ATS Life Sciences Systems team:

We value our PEOPLE – The foundation of a great company is having the best team which is why we continuously work to develop, engage, empower and energise our people. The best people want to work with the best team – the best teams are diverse and inclusive teams.

What we do MATTERS – Our Life Sciences projects contribute to improving the lives of people around the world! ATS has made a commitment to be carbon neutral by 2030!

INNOVATION and PROBLEM SOLVING is at our core – Our pursuit of continuous improvement in everything we do. Our focus is on building diverse teams, stimulating innovation by challenging conventional thinking, encouraging fresh ideas and promoting creative problem‑solving.

We prioritize internal GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT – ATS offers endless opportunities for professional growth and development – with a tuition reimbursement programme, individual development programmes and a commitment to promoting from within - there is space for you to grow your career at ATS!

We offer COMPETITIVE Total Rewards – Competitive starting salaries, overtime pay eligibility, paid vacation, Employee Incentive Bonus programme, comprehensive health and dental benefits including Lifestyle Spending Account, 5% RRSP matching programme and optional Employee Share Purchase programme.

A place to BELONG: We celebrate our differences and ensure that all employees have equal opportunities for growth and development. We believe that diversity of thought, background, and experiences is essential for our success and innovation.

ATS is in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act (AODA), 2005 and will, upon request, assist those who may require specific accommodations due to a personal disability. We would ask that those who require assistance to notify our offices as soon as possible if accommodation is necessary.