Job Title: Purchasing Manager
Location: Calgary, AB
About Us:
Founded in 2005, LineStar Utility Supply is a leading distributor of powerline technician tools and safety equipment across Canada with distribution centers in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick. LineStar primarily serves electric utilities and powerline construction contractors and has long-standing relationships and exclusive partnerships with key tool and equipment OEMs.
Job Overview:
LineStar Utility Supply Inc. is looking for an experienced, organized, and results-driven Purchasing Manager to lead and strengthen our purchasing function across Canada. Based in Calgary, this is a hands-on management role that will oversee the purchasing team while also being actively involved in day-to-day purchasing activities when required. This position will support purchasing across LineStar’s branch network to ensure materials, tools, safety equipment, and related supplies are sourced accurately, cost-effectively, and delivered on time. The successful candidate will provide day-to-day leadership, assist with ordering and supplier follow-up as needed, improve purchasing processes, support inventory planning, build strong supplier relationships, and help drive consistency, efficiency, and accountability across LineStar’s purchasing operations.
Key Responsibilities:
· Oversee the daily activities of the Purchaser role and provide guidance, support, training, and accountability to ensure purchasing work is completed accurately and on time.
· Actively support day-to-day purchasing activities when required, including creating or reviewing purchase orders, following up with suppliers, expediting orders, resolving backorders, and assisting with urgent branch or customer purchasing needs.
· Lead purchasing activities across all LineStar branches, ensuring materials, tools, safety equipment, and related supplies are sourced efficiently and cost-effectively.
· Review and approve purchase orders, supplier selections, pricing, and substitute product recommendations as required.
· Work closely with Branch Managers across Canada to support inventory availability, backorder fulfillment, customer requirements, and branch purchasing needs.
· Develop and improve purchasing processes, workflows, procedures, reporting, and controls to create consistency and efficiency across the organization.
· Lead special projects focused on enhancing LineStar’s purchasing function, including ERP data quality, supplier performance tracking, purchasing reports, inventory optimization, cost-saving initiatives, and branch-level process improvements.
· Support the development and setup of purchasing functions for both Canadian and United States distribution operations, including supplier setup, branch purchasing workflows, product sourcing, inventory planning, freight coordination, and cross-border purchasing requirements.
· Lead or support ERP implementation, integration, and amalgamation projects within Epicor Prophet 21, ensuring purchasing data, supplier records, part numbers, inventory settings, pricing, and related processes are accurately aligned across business units and distribution locations.
· Manage supplier relationships, negotiate pricing and terms where appropriate, monitor supplier performance, and resolve supplier service, delivery, pricing, or quality issues.
· Support purchasing planning by reviewing inventory levels, usage trends, sales forecasts, backorders, supplier lead times, and branch requirements.
· Monitor and maintain inventory minimum and maximum levels in coordination with branch teams to reduce stockouts, excess inventory, and urgent freight requirements.
· Ensure accurate part numbers, descriptions, supplier records, costs, pricing, and product information are maintained in Epicor Prophet 21.
· Oversee supplier price list updates and communicate relevant supplier changes, pricing updates, product changes, and availability concerns to appropriate team members.
· Coordinate with freight providers, suppliers, and internal teams to resolve delivery delays, and customs documentation concerns.
· Prepare and review purchasing reports, supplier performance summaries, inventory reports, and purchasing metrics to support management decision-making.
· Maintain strong product, supplier, and industry knowledge through ongoing learning, supplier engagement, and internal collaboration.
· Perform other related duties as required.
Qualifications:
· Post-secondary education in business administration, supply chain management, purchasing, operations, or a related field is preferred.
· Minimum of 5 years of experience in purchasing, procurement, inventory control, supply chain, or a related role, preferably in a distribution, utility, industrial, or construction-related environment.
· Previous supervisory, team lead, or management experience is considered a strong asset.
· Experience with Epicor Prophet 21 or another ERP/purchasing system is strongly preferred.
· Experience managing cross-border purchasing activities between Canada and the United States, including supplier coordination, freight logistics, customs documentation, duties, tariffs, lead times, and related compliance requirements.
· Strong understanding of purchasing processes, supplier management, inventory planning, pricing updates, and ERP data accuracy.
· Demonstrated ability to improve processes, create practical procedures, develop reports, and drive accountability across purchasing activities.
· Strong negotiation, problem-solving, and decision-making skills with the ability to manage supplier issues and competing priorities.
· Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to work professionally with suppliers, freight providers, branch teams, and internal departments.
· Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, follow up on open items, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
· Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Outlook.
· Self-motivated, accountable, and able to lead others while working collaboratively across the organization.
Benefits:
- Competitive salary
- Health and Dental insurance
- Performance bonus
- Paid time off
- Free parking
- Company events
- Opportunities for professional development and advancement
How to Apply:
If you are an experienced purchasing professional with strong leadership, supplier management, and process improvement skills, we invite you to apply. Please submit your resume and cover letter outlining your relevant experience to [email protected]. Please include “Purchasing Manager” in the subject line.
Application Deadline:
The application deadline is July 10th 2026. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only candidates selected for further assessment will be contacted.
Note:
LineStar Utility Supply Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible workplace for all individuals. If you require any accommodation during the recruitment process, please inform us, and we will make appropriate arrangements.
Pay: From $80,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- On-site parking
- Vision care
Work Location: In person
