Buyer

Position summary

The Buyer plans, sources, and purchases the building materials, components, and supplies used to build the company's modular homes, ensuring materials arrive on time, to specification, and at competitive cost. Working closely with Production, Design and Drafting, Estimating, Sales, and the warehouse, this hands-on role keeps the production line supplied while managing supplier relationships, inventory levels, and purchasing costs.

Key Responsibilities

Purchasing and Order Management

• Purchase lumber, sheathing, trusses, windows, doors, roofing, siding, insulation, drywall, cabinetry, flooring, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and finishing materials based on production schedules and bills of materials.
• Issue, track, and expedite purchase orders in the ERP/purchasing system, confirming pricing, quantities, and delivery dates.
• Purchase customer-specific and custom-option items accurately so each home is built to its approved specifications.
• Resolve shortages, late shipments, damaged goods, and incorrect orders promptly to prevent production delays.

Supplier Sourcing and Relationship Management

• Source, evaluate, and develop suppliers; request and compare quotes on price, quality, lead time, and service.
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, volume discounts, and supply agreements.
• Monitor supplier performance, including on-time delivery, quality, and order accuracy, and address issues with suppliers directly.

Inventory Planning and Control

• Maintain target stock levels using min/max points, forecasts, and the production schedule.
• Partner with the warehouse on receiving, cycle counts, and reducing excess or obsolete stock.
• Plan ahead for long-lead and seasonal items so materials are available when needed.

Cost Control and Reporting

• Identify cost savings through alternative products, suppliers, and consolidated purchasing.
• Maintain accurate pricing, supplier, and item data in the purchasing system.
• Match invoices to purchase orders and receipts and resolve discrepancies with accounting.
• Report on spending, savings, supplier performance, and inventory levels to leadership as required.

Collaboration and Compliance

• Work with Production, Design and Drafting, Estimating, and Sales on new products, substitutions, and engineering changes.
• Follow company purchasing policies, approval limits, and health and safety procedures, including when on the production floor or in the yard.

Qualifications

Required

• Post secondary education in a field such as in construction management, engineering technology, supply chain management, business administration or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 3+ years of purchasing or procurement experience, ideally in modular or residential construction, building material retailer/distributor or manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of building materials and how homes are built.
• Experience with ERP or MRP purchasing systems and solid skills in Microsoft Excel and Outlook.
• Proven negotiation skills and the ability to build good supplier relationships.
• Strong organization and attention to detail; able to manage many orders and deadlines at once.
• Clear written and verbal communication.

Preferred

• Experience using Syspro
• Experience buying lumber or other commodity-priced materials.
• Ability to read construction drawings, specifications and bills of materials.
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing or just-in-time inventory practices.

Working conditions

• On site, office based.
• Must wear required personal protective equipment (safety boots, hearing and eye protection) in production areas.
• Fast-paced, deadline-driven environment tied to the production schedule.
• Occasional travel to supplier sites or trade shows.

Health and safety

All employees are responsible for following Maple Leaf Homes' health and safety policies and the New Brunswick Occupational Health and Safety Act, reporting hazards and incidents, and working safely.