Our client is seeking a Strategic Sourcing Specialist to join their growing team. This newly created position offers the opportunity to build and shape a North American supplier network from the ground up. Supporting a rapidly growing manufacturer of highly customized products, the successful candidate will play a critical role in developing sourcing strategies, identifying and qualifying suppliers, negotiating commercial agreements, and creating a scalable supply chain capable of supporting continued expansion across Canada and the United States.

This is a highly visible role that will partner closely with Operations, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Purchasing teams while having a direct impact on supplier performance, cost competitiveness, and operational growth.
What Our Client Has to Offer:

- Competitive salary of $90,000 - $100,000
- Performance bonuses and profit-sharing opportunities
- Employee ownership opportunities
- Extended health and dental advantages
- Tuition reimbursement
- Versatile and hybrid work arrangements
- Opportunity to build and influence sourcing strategy within a growing organization

Responsibilities:

- Identify, evaluate, qualify, and onboard suppliers across key material categories including timber, metals, hardware, and custom-manufactured components.
- Develop sourcing strategies that balance quality, cost, lead times, capacity, and long-term scalability.
- Negotiate pricing, contracts, payment terms, and supplier agreements.
- Analyze total landed costs, including freight, customs, tariffs, duties, and logistics considerations.
- Conduct supplier audits, plant visits, and capability assessments throughout Canada and the United States.




- Partner closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Purchasing, and Operations teams to support production requirements and future growth initiatives.
- Establish supplier standards, documentation, pricing agreements, and qualification processes prior to transitioning ongoing purchasing activities.
- Monitor supplier performance, identify risks, and implement continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications:

- 8+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, supplier development, or supply chain management within a manufacturing or custom fabrication setting.
- Experience sourcing structural wood products, fabricated metals, industrial hardware, custom components, or similar categories.
- Proven success negotiating supplier agreements and managing supplier relationships.
- Strong understanding of supplier qualification, audits, and capability assessments.
- Experience evaluating total landed costs and optimizing sourcing strategies.
- Ability to interpret technical drawings and manufacturing specifications.
- Valid passport and ability to travel within the United States approximately 1-2 times per month.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.

This posting is for an active vacancy currently available within our client's organization. Interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to apply today. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

To be eligible for this role, you must be legally eligible to work in Canada.

Please note that we use AI tools as part of our recruitment process to enhance efficiency and improve candidate experience.

#IND1

📌 Strategic Sourcing Specialist (Waterloo)
🏢 Elby Professional Recruitment
📍 Waterloo