INTERNATIONAL PURCHASING MANAGER

Food Imports, Procurement & Distribution

Company: Creative Impex Canada Inc.

Location: 21320 Gordon Way, Richmond, British Columbia, V6W 1J8

Position: International Purchasing Manager

NOC Code: 10012 – Purchasing Managers

Employment Type: Permanent, Full-Time

Working Hours: 40 hours per week

Hourly Wage: $50.00 CAD

Annual Compensation: $104,000 CAD

Work Arrangement: On-site

About Creative Impex Canada Inc.

Creative Impex Canada Inc. is a Canadian import and distribution business specializing in sourcing and supplying fresh fruits, vegetables, agricultural products, and food packaging materials.

The company’s product portfolio includes fresh produce, garlic, ginger, kraft paper bags, and aluminium food containers.

Through its international supplier relationships and Canadian distribution network, Creative Impex serves customers across Canada.

As the company continues developing its Richmond operations and evaluates opportunities to expand its warehousing and distribution capacity, it is seeking an experienced International Purchasing Manager to lead its procurement activities and strengthen its international supply chain.

Position Overview The International Purchasing Manager will be responsible for planning, directing, and managing the company’s purchasing operations, with a particular focus on sourcing food products and packaging materials from international manufacturers, growers, and suppliers.

The position will oversee purchasing strategies, supplier agreements, procurement budgets, and inventory procurement planning to support Creative Impex’s Canadian distribution activities.

The successful candidate will work closely with company management, warehouse personnel, logistics providers, and international suppliers to maintain reliable product availability, competitive purchasing costs, and efficient procurement operations.

The position will also contribute to procurement planning associated with the company’s anticipated warehouse expansion and growing distribution requirements.

Key Responsibilities

1. International Procurement Management

- Plan, direct, and manage international purchasing activities for fresh produce, agricultural commodities, and food packaging products intended for distribution and resale in Canada.
- Develop purchasing strategies based on product demand, seasonal availability, international market conditions, and Canadian customer requirements.
- Establish purchasing priorities and procurement schedules to maintain consistent product availability.
- Direct the evaluation and selection of international manufacturers, agricultural producers, exporters, and wholesale suppliers.
- Develop purchasing procedures to improve procurement efficiency, product consistency, and cost control.

2. International Supplier Relationships and Contract Negotiations

- Establish and maintain commercial relationships with overseas growers, food processors, manufacturers, and exporters.
- Lead negotiations involving product pricing, purchasing volumes, delivery schedules, payment arrangements, and international supply agreements.
- Evaluate supplier performance based on product quality, reliability, pricing competitiveness, and delivery performance.




- Oversee the resolution of significant supplier disputes, product discrepancies, and contractual issues.
- Develop alternative sourcing arrangements to reduce supply disruptions and dependence on individual suppliers.

3. Purchasing Budgets and Cost Management

- Prepare and manage purchasing budgets for imported food products and packaging materials.
- Monitor international commodity prices, currency fluctuations, transportation costs, and other factors affecting procurement expenditures.
- Establish cost-control measures to improve purchasing efficiency and maintain competitive product pricing.
- Review purchasing commitments and authorize procurement expenditures within approved budgets.
- Prepare purchasing forecasts and financial reports for senior management.

4. Procurement Planning and Inventory Coordination

- Coordinate purchasing plans with the company’s Canadian sales, warehouse, and distribution requirements.
- Establish purchasing schedules based on inventory turnover, seasonal demand, supplier lead times, and anticipated customer orders.
- Work with warehouse and inventory personnel to maintain appropriate stock levels while reducing excess inventory and product deterioration.
- Develop procurement procedures that support efficient handling and replenishment of perishable food products.
- Evaluate purchasing requirements associated with increased warehouse capacity and anticipated business growth.

5. International Shipping and Import Coordination

- Oversee procurement-related arrangements with international suppliers, freight forwarders, shipping companies, and customs brokers.
- Ensure purchasing agreements clearly establish product specifications, shipping responsibilities, delivery timelines, and required commercial documentation.
- Coordinate with logistics providers to address shipment delays, transportation disruptions, and procurement-related delivery issues.
- Work with relevant personnel and external specialists to ensure suppliers provide documentation necessary to support compliance with applicable Canadian food import, product safety, packaging, and labelling requirements.
- Review procurement processes to reduce unnecessary transportation costs and improve supply chain reliability.

6. Procurement Operations and Team Coordination

- Direct and coordinate purchasing-related activities across the company’s procurement, inventory, and distribution functions.
- Establish procurement performance standards and monitor compliance with purchasing procedures.
- Assign and review purchasing-related responsibilities of designated personnel, where applicable.
- Provide guidance and training to employees involved in purchasing administration, supplier coordination, and inventory procurement.




- Work with company management to identify future staffing and operational requirements arising from business expansion.

7. Strategic Procurement Development

- Identify opportunities to diversify international sourcing markets and introduce additional products aligned with Canadian customer demand.
- Evaluate procurement opportunities involving agricultural products, fresh produce, and food packaging materials.
- Develop long-term sourcing strategies to support the company’s distribution network.
- Recommend improvements to supplier management, procurement technology, and purchasing procedures.
- Support management in evaluating procurement requirements for the company’s proposed warehouse expansion.

Education and Experience

- A bachelor’s degree or college diploma in business administration, supply chain management, procurement, international business, commerce, or a related field is preferred.
- At least three years of progressively responsible experience in purchasing, procurement, supply chain management, or international sourcing is preferred.
- Experience in food importing, agricultural commodities, wholesale distribution, or food packaging procurement is an asset.
- Demonstrated experience negotiating supplier agreements and managing purchasing budgets.
- Knowledge of international purchasing procedures, commercial shipping documentation, and supplier management.
- Familiarity with Canadian food import requirements and international trade procedures is an asset.
- Experience coordinating procurement activities with warehouse, inventory, and distribution operations is preferred.

Required Skills

- Strong commercial negotiation and supplier relationship management skills.
- Ability to develop purchasing strategies and manage procurement budgets.
- Understanding of international sourcing and supply chain operations.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and decision-making abilities.
- Ability to coordinate purchasing activities across multiple operational functions.
- Proficiency with spreadsheets, purchasing software, and inventory management systems.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
- Ability to work with suppliers and business partners across different countries and time zones.

Working Conditions

- Permanent, full-time employment.
- 40 hours per week, normally Monday to Friday.
- Primary work location: Richmond, British Columbia.
- Occasional communication outside regular business hours may be required to coordinate with international suppliers.
- Occasional business travel may be required.
- Compensation: $50.00 per hour.
- Vacation, statutory holiday entitlements, and other employment conditions will be provided in accordance with applicable British Columbia employment standards and company policies.

Equal Employment Prospect Creative Impex Canada Inc. welcomes applications from qualified candidates and is committed to fair and equitable recruitment practices.

All applications will be evaluated based on relevant qualifications, professional experience, and ability to perform the responsibilities of the position.

Pay: $50.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits

- On-site parking

Education:
- Bachelor's Degree (preferred)

Work Location: In person

📌 Purchasing Manager (Richmond)
🏢 Creative Impex
📍 Richmond