Purchasing Coordinator

Idea Exchange; Cambridge; Hybrid; CAD 35,000 - 38,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Consistent schedule

Work-life balance

Job summary

Cambridge Public Library is seeking a part-time Purchasing Coordinator to support procurement and finance operations, ensuring timely purchases and accurate recording. You will liaise with suppliers, manage POs, and coordinate with staff to optimize procurement practices.

The role requires a college degree in a related field and at least 2 years in procurement, with strong negotiation and analytical skills. Onsite schedule, 21 hours weekly, competitive hourly wage.

Qualifications

• Successful completion of college degree in supply chain management, procurement and strategic sourcing, business or accounting.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in procurement / buyer role.
• Knowledge of contract terms, commercial practices, and supply chain fundamentals.
• Intermediate to advanced computer skills (Excel, Word, Outlook).
• Strong organizational and time-management abilities; effective communication and collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Assist in sourcing and ordering products and services.
• Manage end-to-end procurement, including POs, tracking and issue resolution.
• Resolve invoice discrepancies with suppliers and maintain vendor data.
• Draft and issue RFX documents and manage contract data for expiring contracts.
• Provide cost savings solutions to management to steward public funds.

Skills

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Time management

Collaboration

Analytical skills

Education

College degree in supply chain management, procurement and strategic sourcing, business or accounting

Certificate in supply chain management for public procurement

Tools

Sage 50

Microsoft Office

Job description

Cambridge Public Library, Queen's Square

Posting #26-33

Part-Time, Permanent

Location: Queen’s Square (Onsite)

Posting Date: August 31, 2026 Posting Closing: September 20, 2026 at 4:00 pm

This is a posting for a new vacancy.

Reporting to the Director, Finance and Facilities, the Purchasing Coordinator supports CPL’s procurement and finance operations to ensure the efficient purchasing of products and services, strong relationships with suppliers and services providers, and timely and accurate recording of purchases.

What You’ll Do

Responsibility for program/service delivery (internal/external)

• Assists in sourcing and ordering products and services.
• Manages end-to-end, including preparing, issuing, tracking and issue resolution of purchase orders as directed.
• Resolves invoice discrepancies with suppliers.
• Maintains vendor of record data base.
• Maintains procurement files with required documentation.
• Maintains effective, collaborative working relationship with staff in the finance department to coordinate activities.
• Receives, reviews and processes supplier and service provider invoices with accuracy.

Project management (planning, producing, implementation, monitoring, reporting)

• Assists with drafting and issuing RFX documents and communications with prospective vendors.
• Maintains contract data base and initiates procurement processes for expiring contracts.

Other duties as required

• Participate in RFX review, evaluation and interviews as applicable
• Provides cost savings solutions to management to ensure strong stewardship of public funds

What You Bring

To be qualified for and successful in the role, you should have:

Required:

• Successful completion of college degree in supply chain management, procurement and strategic sourcing, business or accounting.
• Minimum 2 years of experience procurement / buyer
• Knowledge of contract terms, commercial practices, and supply chain fundamentals
• Intermediate to advanced computer skills (Excel, Word, Outlook)
• Strong understanding of procurement and accounting principles
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills
• Excellent communication skills (oral and written)
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate professionally with internal and external partners
• Have rigor and self-discipline; outstanding teamwork; interpersonal and negotiation skills; ability to multi-task
• Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail

Preferred:

• Certificate in supply chain management for public procurement
• Supplier negotiations
• Experience with a public sector organization
• Sage 50 experience

Why Cambridge Public Library (CPL)?

Working at Cambridge Public Library offers you the opportunity to be part of an organization that is welcoming, collaborative, and passionate about the community.

By joining our team, you’ll become part of a passionate group of professionals dedicated to enriching lives and inspiring lifelong learning.

• Competitive Benefits Package: Your well-being is important to us. We offer health, dental, vision care, and employee & family assistance program (EFAP).
• Retirement Savings:Membership in OMERS, one of Canada’s largest defined benefit pension plans, can help provide a secure and stable income in retirement, which you’ll be eligible on the first day.
• Reliable Work Schedules: We understand the importance of work-life balance. Our scheduling process ensures that you’ll have a consistent schedule.
• Positive Work-Life Balance: We strive to maintain a positive work-life balance, ensuring that you have the time and energy to enjoy life outside of work.

Wage: $32.73 per hour (Level 7 in our salary grid).

Hours: This is a part-time, permanent position, 21 hours in a weekly period.

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday dayshift. Hours and days to be determined.

You may be required to work additional hours or to adjust your schedule to fulfil your responsibilities related to organizational needs.

Additional Information

• Cambridge Public Library aspires to employ a staff complement that fully represents the diversity of the community we serve. All qualified individuals who would contribute to the further diversification of our organization are encouraged to apply.
• Cambridge Public Library is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to accommodating individual needs in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you need any accommodations during the hiring process, please contact Human Resources at [e-mail].
• For more information about us, please visit our website at https://cambridgepl.ca/.
• Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada. Cambridge Public Library (CPL) will communicate regarding employment opportunities via email and/or telephone. Applicants are required to maintain up-to-date contact information. As communications may be time-sensitive, applicants are encouraged to monitor their email and voicemail regularly. Failure to respond may be interpreted as a withdrawal of interest in the position. If it is determined that any information submitted is inaccurate, misleading, or incomplete, Cambridge Public Library (CPL) may, at its discretion, remove the application from further consideration.