Purchasing and Supply Chain Specialist

Job Description

Job description:

Laserglow Technologies is committed to delivering the highest quality photonics products, supported by industry-leading customer service. We are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Purchasing & Supply Chain Specialist to support our day-to-day production operations through effective planning, procurement, inventory control, and logistics coordination.

This is an in-house position.

The Purchasing & Supply Chain Specialist is responsible for planning, purchasing, receiving, and managing inventory to ensure uninterrupted production flow. The role involves issuing purchase orders based on internal department requests, multi-source procurement, forecasting, supplier management, logistics coordination, and ERP (LCARS) administration.

Key Responsibilities

1. Procurement & Sourcing

• Assess raw material requirements for production orders, engineering projects, forecasts, and expected sales.
• Verify current inventory levels and confirm material availability.
• Identify and evaluate vendors; issue RFQs and negotiate pricing, payment terms, and lead times.
• Explore alternative suppliers or products to improve cost, quality, and availability.
• Finalize material quantities and place purchase orders in LCARS.
• Process prepaid orders (wire transfers or credit card payments).
• Coordinate timely material collection based on urgency and project deadlines.
• Resolve vendor inquiries, supply issues, quality concerns, or pricing discrepancies.

2. Inventory & Stock Control

• Conduct regular stock checks and cycle counts to ensure inventory accuracy.
• Monitor stock levels and identify shortages, excess, or obsolete inventory.
• Maintain real-time inventory updates in LCARS.
• Share lists of aged or obsolete inventory with sales for potential reduction or clearance.
• Identify and replace incorrect or non-scannable product labels.

3. Logistics & Delivery Coordination

• Plan and manage shipping schedules, freight arrangements, and material handling.
• Determine delivery priorities based on project timelines and material urgency.
• Enter anticipated shipment arrivals into LCARS to inform internal teams.
• Manage freight, customs documentation, compliance, COO & CoC documentation.
• Resolve shipping issues including delays, damages, and incorrect shipments.
• Audit freight invoices and dispute incorrect charges.

4. Transaction & Order Management

• Review new sales orders for accuracy and completeness.
• Assess stock availability across facilities (US/CA).
• Initiate procurement for orders with insufficient inventory.
• Create and manage purchase orders and transfer transactions.
• Update promised ship dates based on vendor schedules.
• Notify production when materials are received and available for build.
• Support direct sales fulfillment and coordinate shipment modes for transfers.

5. Communication & Stakeholder Coordination

• Collaborate with engineering to clarify technical requirements and specifications.
• Provide sales teams with updates on material availability, lead times, and delivery schedules.
• Highlight delayed shipments and potential customer impacts.
• Inform leadership of significant cost fluctuations, budget concerns, or monetary risks.

6. Vendor Relationship Management

• Build and maintain strong vendor partnerships.
• Negotiate improved pricing, payment terms, and lead times.
• Address and resolve vendor performance issues.
• Support long-term strategic sourcing initiatives.

7. ERP (LCARS) Administration

• Maintain accurate product data including pricing, HS codes, packing details, minimum stock levels, and reorder quantities.
• Ensure timely receipt logging and invoice processing in LCARS.
• Resolve ERP-related issues affecting procurement, logistics, or inventory.
• Recommend system improvements to enhance efficiency and data accuracy.

8. Cost Management & Continuous Improvement

• Track procurement spending and monitor cost trends.
• Evaluate cost-saving opportunities (bulk purchasing, long-term contracts, strategic sourcing).
• Recommend process improvements to optimize procurement, inventory control, and logistics performance.

Qualifications

• 2-5 years of experience in procurement, materials management or supply chain( manufacturing environment preferred)
• Strong knowledge of ERP systems and reporting tools
• Experience with sourcing and vendor qualification
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of logistics, customs documentation, and freight coordination.
• Proficiency in inventory management and cycle counting processes.
• Excellent computer skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline driven environment.
• Education: Degree or diploma in Business, Supply Chain Management, Engineering or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Working towards APICS, CPIM, CSCP or SCMP designation is considered an asset.

Preferred Skills

• Experience supporting cross-border operations (US/Canada).
• Understanding of HS codes, COO/CoC documentation, and freight auditing.
• Continuous improvement mindset with strong attention to detail.

Benefits:

• Medical, Vision & Dental Care
• Paid time off
• RRSP matching
• Apart of Ontario Living Wage Network

Compensation:

• Base Salary: $60, $90,000.00
• Profit Sharing Bonus