Position Title: Junior Purchaser
Location: Port Weller (St. Catharines, ON) – reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: Target salary range of $50,000 – $60,000 annually, based on experience
About Ontario Shipyards
Ontario Shipyards operates two premier marine facilities on Lake Ontario: our main fabrication hub in Hamilton and the historic Port Weller Dry Docks on the Welland Canal in St. Catharines. Together, we form the largest Canadian-owned ship repair and refit operation on the Great Lakes. As a trusted partner to the Canadian Coast Guard and major commercial fleets, our combined yards deliver everything from advanced manufacturing to massive vessel life extensions.
The company is embarking on an unprecedented period of growth driven by the opportunities created by Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy. At the same time, the company is executing the Ontario Shipyard Modernization Project (OSMP) which is a multi-million-dollar initiative that is revolutionizing shipyard operations in Ontario and ultimately Canada. Our team takes immense pride in keeping the Great Lakes fleet moving, building and maintaining the giant vessels that drive Canada's economy – where water meets mettle.
Position Summary
Reporting to the Procurement Manager, the Junior Purchaser supports the timely, cost-effective, and compliant procurement of materials, equipment, consumables, and services required for the Company’s projects and operations. Working as part of the Procurement team, the Junior Purchaser collaborates closely with suppliers and internal stakeholders across Engineering, Production, Operations, Project Management, Finance, and Sales Support. The position is responsible for processing purchase requisitions, preparing and issuing purchase orders, obtaining and evaluating supplier quotations, monitoring delivery schedules, and maintaining accurate procurement records.
The Junior Purchaser also supports supplier documentation, non-conformance and corrective action processes, compliance with purchasing policies, and continuous improvement initiatives. This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to build a career in procurement and supply chain management within a fast-paced industrial or manufacturing environment.
Key Responsibilities
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Review and process purchase requisitions to ensure all required information, specifications, approvals, and supporting documentation have been provided.
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Prepare, issue, and maintain purchase orders in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central in accordance with approved requisitions, quotations, budgets, and Company policies.
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Obtain quotations from qualified suppliers and support the evaluation of pricing, delivery timelines, payment terms, quality requirements, and other commercial considerations.
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Communicate with suppliers to confirm purchase orders, pricing, availability, lead times, delivery dates, and order status.
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Monitor open purchase orders and delivery schedules, proactively following up on late, incomplete, or at-risk orders.
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Coordinate with Engineering, Production, Operations, Project Management, Finance, and other internal departments to clarify purchasing requirements and resolve procurement-related issues.
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Maintain accurate and complete purchasing records, including purchase orders, quotations, order acknowledgements, delivery information, certificates, and supplier correspondence.
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Support the identification and resolution of invoice, receiving, pricing, quantity, and purchase order discrepancies.
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Assist with supplier onboarding, qualification, documentation, and performance monitoring activities.
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Support the administration and follow-up of supplier non-conformance reports, corrective action requests, and quality-related documentation.
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Ensure purchasing activities comply with Company policies, approval authorities, contractual requirements, project specifications, and applicable quality standards.
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Assist with sourcing new suppliers and maintaining accurate supplier information within the Company’s ERP system.
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Support inventory, material planning, expediting, and project procurement activities as required.
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Identify opportunities to improve purchasing processes, documentation, supplier communication, cost control, and operational efficiency.
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Prepare procurement reports, order status updates, and supporting documentation as requested.
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Perform other procurement and administrative duties as assigned.
Qualifications & Experience
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Diploma or degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Procurement, Logistics, or a related field is preferred.
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1 to 3 years of experience in purchasing, procurement, supply chain, or a related administrative position.
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Experience working in a manufacturing, industrial, construction, marine, or project-based environment is considered an asset.
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Experience preparing purchase orders, obtaining supplier quotations, and tracking open orders is considered an asset.
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Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ERP systems, preferably Business Central is considered a strong asset.
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Strong written and verbal communication skills.
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Strong organizational, administrative, and record-keeping skills.
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Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
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Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
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Ability to communicate professionally and effectively with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
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Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
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Adaptable, dependable, solutions-oriented, and willing to learn.
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Basic understanding of procurement practices, commercial terms, supplier management, and inventory processes is considered an asset.
What We Offer
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Competitive salary based on skills and experience
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Comprehensive health benefits including health, dental, vision, life and disability coverage for you and your dependents
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RRSP matching program and Health Spending Account (HSA)
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Paid vacation time and statutory holidays
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Discounts on Safety Boots & Safety Glasses
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Opportunities for professional development and specialized shipyard training
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On-site parking
This job posting is for an active, immediate vacancy. Every application is reviewed individually by a member of our human recruitment team; we do not use AI or automated computer systems to screen, assess, or select applicants for this position.
Ontario Shipyards is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible workplace. We prohibit discrimination and are committed to providing equal employment opportunities in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code. We will provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment and selection process, in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodation during the recruitment process, please notify Human Resources, and we will work with you to meet your accessibility needs.
