SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGER
Department: Supply Chain
Reports To: President
Employment Type: Full-Time
Location: Nisku, Alberta
THE OPPORTUNITY
We are looking for a hands-on, entrepreneurial Supply Chain Manager to join our growing heavy equipment off-road parts and service business.
This is a unique opportunity for an individual who wants to build, improve, and have a meaningful impact on a growing organization.
This position will initially be highly hands-on, with direct responsibility for purchasing, supplier relationships, inventory, logistics, and day-to-day supply chain activities. You will also lead a small team and work closely with the Parts, Sales, Warehouse, Operations, and Finance functions.
At the same time, this is much more than a day-to-day purchasing role.
Our current systems, processes, and methods require analysis, improvement, and modernization. We are looking for someone who will take the time to understand how we currently operate, identify what works and what doesn't, challenge assumptions, and develop better ways of doing things.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to help create new systems, processes, procedures, reporting tools, supplier strategies, and operational improvements.
This is a role for someone who asks:
"Why do we do it this way?"
—and then has the initiative to determine whether there is a better way.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Supply Chain Manager will lead and improve the company's purchasing, supplier management, inventory, forecasting, logistics, and supply chain processes.
A significant component of this role will be helping the company transition from a multi-supplier purchasing model to a more strategic supplier model.
Our objective is to develop deeper relationships with a smaller number of high-quality, reliable, strategically aligned suppliers.
Rather than maintaining numerous transactional supplier relationships, we want to identify suppliers with whom we can build long-term partnerships based on:
- Product quality
- Reliable availability
- Competitive pricing
- Consistent lead times
- Strong communication
- Technical support
- Warranty support
- Service
- Mutual growth opportunities
The Supply Chain Manager will play a key role in evaluating the existing supplier base, identifying the best strategic partners, consolidating purchasing where appropriate, and developing stronger relationships with those suppliers.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Hands-On Supply Chain Management
Initially, this is a working management position.
You will personally participate in:
- Purchasing.
- Purchase order management.
- Supplier communication.
- Inventory analysis.
- Replenishment.
- Expediting.
- Backorder management.
- Freight coordination.
- Inventory problem-solving.
- Supplier evaluation.
- Product sourcing.
- Critical parts escalation.
You will be expected to understand the details of the operation while simultaneously looking for opportunities to improve it.
Supplier Strategy & Development
- Evaluate and rationalize the existing supplier base.
- Identify suppliers that can become strategic partners.
- Consolidate purchasing where commercially and operationally appropriate.
- Negotiate pricing and terms based on increased purchasing volume.
- Develop long-term supplier relationships.
- Establish supplier performance expectations.
- Monitor quality, availability, lead times, pricing, and service.
- Develop supplier scorecards and performance metrics.
- Identify and address supplier performance issues.
- Develop alternate sources where risk management requires them.
- Build relationships based on mutual growth rather than transactional purchasing.
Our philosophy:
Fewer suppliers. Better suppliers. Stronger relationships. Better products. Better service. Better economics.
TEAM LEADERSHIP
The Supply Chain Manager will initially lead a small team.
You will:
- Provide direction and priorities.
- Develop team members.
- Establish accountability.
- Improve productivity.
- Delegate appropriately.
- Develop standard procedures.
- Establish performance expectations.
- Build a culture of ownership and continuous improvement.
As the company grows, the size and scope of the team is expected to grow as well.
INVENTORY & DEMAND MANAGEMENT
The Supply Chain Manager will be responsible for developing a more disciplined approach to inventory management.
Responsibilities include:
- Establishing stocking levels.
- Managing reorder points and safety stock.
- Improving inventory turns.
- Reducing stockouts.
- Reducing excess and obsolete inventory.
- Improving inventory accuracy.
- Developing demand forecasts.
- Identifying seasonal demand.
- Identifying critical components.
- Analyzing purchasing trends.
- Balancing parts availability with working-capital requirements.
The goal is to create an inventory strategy that supports customer uptime, sales growth, and profitability.
THE EVOLUTION OF THIS ROLE
This position is intentionally designed to grow with the company and the individual.
PHASE 1 — HANDS-ON MANAGER
Initially, you will be deeply involved in the day-to-day operation:
- Purchasing
- Suppliers
- Inventory
- Logistics
- Expediting
- Team management
- Problem-solving
You will learn the business and establish credibility by understanding the details.
PHASE 2 — BUILDER & SYSTEM DEVELOPER
As you gain an understanding of the business, you will increasingly:
- Improve existing systems.
- Create new processes.
- Develop supplier strategies.
- Implement KPIs.
- Improve forecasting.
- Develop your team.
- Delegate routine activities.
- Establish greater accountability.
- Improve scalability.
PHASE 3 — STRATEGIC SUPPLY CHAIN LEADER
As the company grows, the role has the potential to expand significantly.
Future responsibilities may include:
- Larger teams.
- Strategic sourcing.
- Major supplier partnerships.
- Purchasing strategy.
- Inventory investment.
- Supply chain budgets.
- Logistics strategy.
- Supplier development.
- Technology and automation.
- Strategic planning.
- Broader operational leadership.
The opportunity for growth is real and will be driven by the growth of the company and the capabilities demonstrated by the individual.
WHO WILL THRIVE IN THIS ROLE?
You will likely thrive in this position if you:
- Like figuring things out.
- Naturally question inefficient processes.
- Enjoy solving problems.
- Are comfortable making decisions.
- Don't need constant direction.
- Take ownership when something isn't working.
- Enjoy negotiating and building relationships.
- Can move between strategic thinking and detailed execution.
- Are comfortable leading a small team.
- Want to build systems rather than simply operate them.
- Are comfortable communicating directly with executives.
- Want your ideas to be heard and acted upon.
- Enjoy an environment with autonomy and accountability.
- Are motivated by the opportunity to make a measurable impact.
You should be comfortable with ambiguity, change, and continuous improvement.
Not every process will be fully defined when you arrive—and that is intentional.
We are looking for someone who sees that as an opportunity rather than a problem.
QUALIFICATIONS
We are looking for a Supply Chain Manager who combines practical supply chain experience, strong business judgment, initiative, and the ability to build and improve systems.
Required Qualifications
- Demonstratable knowledge of heavy equipment parts.
- 5+ years of progressive experience in supply chain, purchasing, procurement, inventory management, materials management, or a related field.
- A post-secondary education in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, Procurement, Logistics, or a related field
- Experience leading, supervising, or developing employees.
- Experience managing purchasing and supplier relationships from sourcing through delivery.
- Strong understanding of inventory management, forecasting, replenishment, lead times, purchasing practices, and stock availability.
- Experience negotiating pricing, terms, freight, lead times, and other supplier requirements.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain strong supplier relationships.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to use data to make sound business decisions.
- Experience developing, implementing, or improving processes, procedures, systems, and reporting.
- Ability to identify inefficiencies, challenge existing practices, and implement practical improvements.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively with suppliers, employees, customers, and senior management.
- Proficiency with ERP, inventory management, purchasing, or other business management systems.
- Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Excel or comparable data-analysis tools.
If you are an experienced supply chain professional who wants to be hands-on today, build for tomorrow, and grow into a significant leadership role, we would like to hear from you.
Pay: $100,000.00-$125,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
