Purchasing and Export Compliance Specialist | Trillium Floral

Trilliumwholesale; St. Catharines; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

RRSP matching

Employee product discounts

Job summary

Trillium Floral in St. Catharines, ON, seeks a detail-oriented Purchasing Administration & Export Compliance Specialist to manage cross-border sourcing and compliance. You will verify catalog items, ensure proper classification, and coordinate with growers and agencies to keep shipments compliant.

The role combines day-to-day purchasing with export regulation oversight, including HS classification, CFIA/USDA considerations, and new product vetting for U.S. customers.

Qualifications

• 2–5 years of progressive experience in purchasing, logistics, cross-border freight forwarding, or international supply chain administration.
• Strong understanding of U.S.–Canada cross-border logistics, customs documentation, HS tariff classifications, or agricultural import/export compliance (CFIA/USDA).
• Post-secondary diploma or degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, International Trade, Logistics, or Horticulture.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel), order processing databases, and inventory software.
• Meticulous organizational ability with zero-tolerance for compliance errors in fast-paced environments.
• Familiarity with greenhouse, floral, or perishable agricultural supply chains is a plus.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation for inhouse schedule and local visits.

Responsibilities

• Export compliance & new product verification for all items leaving the facility.
• Catalog auditing to ensure potted plants, cut flowers, and accessories meet CFIA, USDA-APHIS, and U.S. Customs standards.
• Investigate shipping protocols, documentation, and regulatory hurdles for new categories.
• Oversee Harmonized System tariff classification and valuation across all items.
• Coordinate with regulatory inspection agencies and growers for phytosanitary paperwork and permits.
• Maintain accurate compliance attributes, country-of-origin markings, and tariff codes in systems.
• Confirm purchase orders and standing orders with growers on schedule.
• Visit local Niagara-area growers to verify crop quality and compliance.
• Collaborate with sales to provide availability updates, pricing, and feasibility of new catalog items.

Skills

Attention to Detail

Cross-border logistics

Vendor relations

Regulatory compliance

Data management

Inventory management

Documentation

Education

Post-secondary diploma or degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, International Trade, Logistics, or Horticulture

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Order processing databases

Inventory software

Job description

Trillium Floral is a cut flower and potted plant wholesaler located in St. Catharines, ON. Our customer base is 100% located in the United States, and we work daily with local growers to receive premium floral product and coordinate seamless daily cross-border export shipments south of the border. As trade regulations, tariff policies, and sales demands evolve, ensuring seamless international logistics and uncompromising export compliance is central to our continued growth and operational excellence.

Role Overview

We are seeking a detail-oriented, proactive Purchasing Administration & Export Compliance Specialist. This pivotal role combines day-to-day purchasing functions with high-level cross-border compliance, ensuring that every single item leaving our facility is fully verified, approved, and properly classified before shipping. You will maintain and audit our active catalog for cross-border eligibility while actively spearheading new product opportunities. With shifting international tariff rules and growing customer demand for new opportunities, you will lead the research and setup required to safely and legally expand our export offerings.

Key Responsibilities

• Export Compliance & New Product Verification
• Catalog Auditing & Eligibility: Review and audit the existing product master to ensure all potted plants, cut flowers, and accessories meet CFIA, USDA-APHIS, and U.S. Customs export standards.
• New Product Pipeline: Investigate shipping protocols, documentation, and regulatory hurdles for prospective categories requested by sales (including CITES-regulated species, live nursery stock, and hard goods).
• Tariff & Classification Oversight: Stay ahead of changing tariff rules, trade policies, and duty structures; ensure proper Harmonized System (HS) tariff classification and valuation across all items prior to dispatch.
• Agency & Broker Coordination: Liaise with regulatory inspection agencies, and grower partners to secure required phytosanitary paperwork, export documentation, and import permits.
• Data Integrity: Ensure accurate compliance attributes, country-of-origin markings, and tariff codes are systematically maintained in inventory and order processing systems.
• Order Execution: Confirm purchase orders, standing orders, and pre-bookings with grower suppliers accurately and on schedule.
• Grower Relationships & On-Site Visits: Maintain respectful, professional vendor relations; periodically visit local greenhouses to evaluate crop quality, verify compliance standards, and foster partnerships.
• Inventory & Logistics Coordination: Track order confirmations, monitor seasonal availability, resolve discrepancies, and work alongside warehouse personnel to ensure accurate fulfillment.
• Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Partner closely with sales and marketing teams to provide timely availability updates, pricing sheets, and feasibility assessments for new catalog items.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Experience: 2-5 years of progressive experience in purchasing, logistics, cross-border freight forwarding, or international supply chain administration.
• Trade & Compliance Acumen: Strong understanding of U.S.-Canada cross-border logistics, customs documentation, HS tariff classifications, or agricultural import/export compliance (CFIA/USDA). Experience with Greenhouse Certification Program (GCP) is a major asset.
• Education: Post-secondary diploma or degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, International Trade, Logistics, or Horticulture.
• Technical Fluency: Proficiency in Microsoft Office (specifically Excel for data management), order processing databases, and inventory software.
• Attention to Detail: Meticulous organizational ability with zero-tolerance for compliance errors in fast-paced operational environments.
• Industry Knowledge: Familiarity with greenhouse, floral, or perishable agricultural supply chains is considered a strong plus.
• Mobility: Valid driver's license and reliable transportation for inhouse schedule and periodic visits to local Niagara-area growers.

Why Work at Trillium Floral?

• Dynamic Environment: Join a well-established, fast-growing industry leader with deep roots in the North American floral wholesale market.
• Collaborative Culture: Thrive in an open, team-oriented workplace that values autonomy, practical innovation, and mutual respect.
• Career Growth: Expand your career with significant advancement pathways across supply chain, purchasing, and regulatory operations.
• Employee Perks: Enjoy comprehensive health benefits, RRSP matching, and employee product discounts on fresh plants and floral items.