Project Procurement Lead

Join our globally growing team at ATS Industrial Automation where we create complex automation solutions at the highest level that sustainably impact lives around the world.

At ATS, a publicly traded global company with a proud 40-year history, we help drive the future with our factory-wide automation solutions. At ATS Industrial Automation, what we do matters - both to our customers and to their customers. With 1000 skilled employees around the world, we design, build and service mission-critical automated assembly and test solutions for mobility, nuclear and specialty automation. Our customers are leaders in their industries and rely on us to deliver what we promise - on time and on budget. Combined with our broad product portfolio, financial strength and global presence, we provide our customers with the best automation solutions wherever and whenever they need them.

Total Compensation and Benefits

• Pay Rate: $96,000 - $132,000 CAD
• Eligible for Annual Incentive Bonus
• Stock Purchase Plan
• RRSP Match
• 3 Weeks Vacation
• Health Care Benefits + $600 Health Care Spending Account
• Employee Engagement Events (Employee BBQ’s and lunches, weekly treat day, etc.)
• Employee Development Programs

Job Description

The opportunity 

Do you enjoy solving problems where engineering, manufacturing, suppliers and project delivery meet? As a Project Procurement Lead, you will own the material budget and material schedule for assigned projects, translating evolving technical requirements into clear procurement plans, timely decisions and practical risk-mitigation actions.

This is a hands-on, cross-functional role for someone who can interpret engineering drawings, understand how machined and fabricated components are made, and bring people together to resolve cost, quality and delivery challenges. You will have meaningful visibility across the business and the opportunity to influence projects from early design through post-project review.

What you will do 

• Own and forecast the project material budget and maintain the project procurement plan throughout execution.
• Partner with project and program managers, engineering, assembly, buyers and suppliers to align material requirements with the production schedule.
• Identify long-lead materials, delivery risks and cost pressures early, then lead practical mitigation and escalation plans.
• Develop and execute strategies that support material cost reduction, including a target of reducing material costs by 10% where project conditions allow.
• Review component selections and engineering drawings, contribute supply-market insight during design reviews, and help identify lower-cost compliant solutions.
• Lead procurement kick-off meetings, provide weekly forecasts and updates, and support daily visual management and project review meetings.
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, delivery commitments and recovery plans with suppliers while balancing supplier realities with project needs.
• Resolve requisition and drawing issues, support technical discussions with suppliers, and engage internal value-engineering expertise when needed.
• Use historical and benchmarking data to assess competitive pricing and monitor purchase price variance and material-cost performance.
• Capture lessons learned through post-project reviews and identify opportunities for continuous improvement. 

Qualifications

What you bring 

• A post-secondary diploma or degree in materials management, manufacturing, engineering or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.  With at least five years of relevant experience in custom manufacturing
• The ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and blueprints. This is essential for the role.
• Practical knowledge of manufacturing processes, particularly machined or fabricated components. Experience in machining, toolmaking, estimating, welding, quality or technical purchasing is highly relevant.
• Experience developing and maintaining a project material procurement plan, or closely related experience managing material cost and schedule commitments.
• Strong negotiation, communication and stakeholder-management skills, including the ability to influence without direct authority.
• A track record of organizing ambiguous information, asking the right questions, taking ownership and moving issues toward resolution.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel capability, including working confidently with large ERP-derived data sets, pivot tables and lookup functions.
• A self-starter who takes initiative, works effectively across functions and independently drives work forward while knowing when to seek support or escalate risks

Assets that will help you stand out 

• Experience in nuclear, regulated manufacturing or another quality-intensive environment.
• Knowledge of metallurgy, raw steel, large fabrications, pressure-boundary components or related supplier markets.
• Experience purchasing or quoting custom automation, machined components or fabricated assemblies.
• A Supply Chain Canada designation or equivalent credential.
• PMP training or certification.
• Experience with CSA B51, CSA N285.0 or NQA quality requirements. 

Additional Information

How you will make an impact 

Early success will come from building strong working relationships, learning the project and supplier landscape, asking thoughtful questions and establishing a reliable rhythm for weekly forecasting, risk review and communication. As you grow into the role, you will become a trusted connection between project teams and the supply base, helping the business make informed trade-offs and keep complex work moving.

Work arrangement and travel 

This position is based in Cambridge, Ontario and is expected to be on-site four to five days per week, depending on business and project needs. Occasional travel within Ontario is expected, typically one to two days per month, to meet with suppliers and support issue resolution.

Why this role 

• Work on complex, technically challenging projects where your decisions have a visible impact on cost, schedule and execution.
• Collaborate with experienced professionals across supply chain, project management, engineering, assembly and value engineering.
• Use both your technical understanding and commercial judgment rather than working in a narrowly defined purchasing role.
• Join a team that values curiosity, clear communication, practical problem solving and ownership. 

Why should you join ATS Industrial Automation?

• Be a part of an engaged, empowered and innovative global workforce
• We offer a robust total rewards package- Competitive starting salaries, comprehensive health and dental benefits, overtime pay, employee bonus, RSP matching, Employee Share Purchase Program
• We provide awesome work perks such as treat days, gourmet coffee and beverages, subsidized breakfast and lunches in our cafeteria, employee referral bonuses and lots more.
• We are intentional about your professional growth and development through internal career opportunities and our educational reimbursement program.

The Compensation offered will be based on the local job market and may vary depending on factors such as the job-related knowledge, skills, experience of the selected candidate, as well as other objective business considerations. Subject to these considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, such as an annual cash incentive in addition to a full range of medical, retirement, and/or other benefits. Details of these benefit plans will be provided when the selected job candidate receives an offer of employment.

This role represents an existing vacancy within the organization.

ATS is in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act (AODA), 2005 and will, upon request, assist those who may require specific accommodations due to personal disability. We would ask those who require assistance to notify our offices as soon as possible if accommodation is necessary.

The ATS applicant tracking system may utilize AI software with pre‑defined, rule‑based filters to organize and manage application materials. Rule‑based filters operate solely on fixed criteria and do not perform autonomous evaluation or generate independent recommendations. All hiring decisions continue to involve human review and judgment.

If you're excited about this role, but do not meet all the qualifications listed above, you are still encouraged to apply.