Hiring: Procurement / Purchasing Specialist – Plastic Recycled Materials
Location: Hamilton, ON
Position Overview
Our client is seeking a motivated, detail-oriented, and results-driven Procurement / Purchasing Specialist to join their team. This role is responsible for purchasing recycled plastic materials from established and new suppliers, scrap yards, auto recyclers, and other sources. The ideal candidate will have industry knowledge, strong negotiation skills, and the ability to accurately evaluate materials, research market prices, negotiate competitive purchase rates, and maintain profitable margins while building long-term supplier relationships.
Key Responsibilities
- Purchase recycled plastic materials from established and new suppliers, scrap yards, recyclers, and other sources.
- Identify and evaluate recycled plastic materials based on type, grade, composition, and other relevant characteristics.
- Research and monitor current market prices and material values to make informed purchasing decisions.
- Accurately evaluate and price materials using company pricing tools, databases, spreadsheets, and market information.
- Negotiate competitive purchase prices while maintaining profitable margins.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, recyclers, dismantlers, and other vendors.
- Inspect incoming materials to verify quality, authenticity, condition, and material specifications.
- Maintain accurate purchasing records, invoices, inventory documentation, and supplier information.
- Monitor market trends and fluctuations in recycled plastic material prices that may impact purchasing decisions.
- Communicate purchasing decisions, pricing updates, and market developments to management.
- Identify opportunities to expand the supplier network and increase purchasing volume.
- Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and company procedures related to material purchasing and resale.
Required Qualifications & Skills
- Previous experience in purchasing, procurement, or buying recycled plastic materials is preferred.
- Knowledge of recycled plastic material identification, classification, and grading is highly desirable.
- Strong understanding of material pricing, profit margins, and basic mathematics.
- Excellent negotiation, communication, and relationship-building skills.
- Strong attention to detail and organizational abilities.
- Ability to work independently and make informed purchasing decisions.
- Comfortable using computers, spreadsheets, databases, and online pricing resources.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet purchasing targets.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Valid driver's license.
