Director, Purchasing & Transportation

Reporting to the General Manager, Parts & Supply Chain, the Director, Purchasing & Transportation oversees purchasing and transportation functions across all SMS Equipment regions. This role focuses on leveraging purchasing volumes to deliver consistency, cost savings, and maximum value while meeting operational and customer needs. The position establishes best practices, policies, and SOPs, coordinates consolidated purchasing efforts for key commodities, and manages contractual obligations, including those related to equipment, consumables, and services. Collaborating with Branch Operations Managers, Parts Managers, and Branch Buyers, this role ensures consistent purchasing practices across regions and directs capital equipment purchasing to optimize asset allocation.

This position is based in Acheson, AB

Travel to other SMS Equipment locations is occasionally required.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Leadership:
• Lead a high-performing team overseeing purchasing and transportation across all regions, fostering collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
• Conduct regular performance reviews, provide coaching and mentorship, and encourage professional growth.
• Champion team participation in community initiatives, including Indigenous Relations programs such as PAIR, to enhance cultural awareness and engagement.
• Drive sustainability efforts, aligning team practices with ESG strategies and initiatives.

• Purchasing Management:
• Develop, review, and update purchasing policies and guidelines. Manage procurement of materials and supplies, including complex items requiring detailed specifications.
• Analyze and evaluate competing bids to ensure value and reliability.
• Collaborate with operations to identify bulk buying opportunities, negotiate long-term contracts, and explore new purchasing opportunities.
• Manage pricing agreements outside the scope of tenders and maintain accurate purchase records for reporting.

• Transportation & Freight:
• Direct and negotiate domestic and international freight rates, ensuring optimal costs for parts and PSSR-related products.
• Conduct cost studies to identify savings opportunities, enhance capital equipment utilization, and improve shipping efficiency.
• Enforce compliance with negotiated contracts, manage relationships with brokers and partners, and address disputes or billing issues with government agencies.

• Sustainability & ESG:
• Actively participate in ESG and sustainability planning, strategy meetings, and initiatives to enhance the organization's sustainable practices in purchasing and transportation.

• Indigenous Relations:
• Facilitate and lead initiatives under the PAIR program, including planning, training, and event participation, to support SMS's commitment to Indigenous partnerships.
• Travel Management:
• Oversee the company's travel process, collaborating on tools and workflows, leading system enhancements, driving change management, and training employees on updates.

This role offers the opportunity to make a significant impact by driving strategic purchasing and transportation practices, fostering sustainability, and enhancing community engagement.

Qualifications:

This position requires an undergraduate degree in business, supply chain or a related field and a minimum of 10 years experience leading a national purchasing function. This position requires the candidate to have at least 5 year of leadership experience with demonstrated ability to coach, mentor and manage a large team.

The work requires a sound understanding of the management of purchasing & transportation activities, strong leadership skills and the ability to implement strategic processes to achieve optimal value for the organization while meeting our internal business and customer needs.

Key Competencies:

• Demonstrated expertise in evaluating processes, developing policies, and implementing strategic improvements.
• Proven ability to coach, mentor, and develop employees while managing performance effectively.
• Strong organizational and resource management skills with the ability to set priorities and meet deadlines.
• Exceptional planning and project management capabilities to ensure timely completion of initiatives.
• Knowledge of parts distribution and management practices is considered an asset.
• Proficiency in managing contract agreements, including monitoring performance and compliance.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret financial data, prepare detailed reports, and generate accurate projections.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to navigate diverse interactions using tact and diplomacy.
• Advanced proficiency in computer applications, particularly in purchasing and inventory management systems.

This role will have a base salary and incentive bonus compensation structure.

As part of our recruitment process you may be required to complete the following:

• Reference Check
• Criminal Record Check
• Credit Check
• Assessments

At SMS Equipment, safety is one of our values and we care for each other, without exception. Our successful candidate is intrinsically motivated and committed to making safe choices, when completing all tasks.

Applications will be received until a suitable candidate has been hired.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however only those selected for interview will be contacted.

SMS Equipment offers rewarding careers in the heavy equipment industry across Canada. As the largest Komatsu dealer in North America, SMS Equipment gives you the opportunity to represent world-class quality in our product offerings and customer service. A few of the many benefits of working with SMS Equipment include competitive wages, comprehensive group benefits plan, and RRSP matching.