Purchasing and Procurement Specialist

at  Applus

Company Bio:
Applus+ is a global leader in the Testing, Inspection and Certification sector delivering non-destructive testing, inspection, engineering, and manpower services to the aerospace, power, and, oil and gas industries. We are a trusted partner who enhances the quality and safety of our clients’ assets and infrastructures while safeguarding their operations. We deliver this through our technical capabilities, innovative approach, and our motivated team who are committed to operational excellence.
Applus+ has achieved a significant global presence and a leading position in its target markets and regions. As a result, our teams have expanded with 19,000 professionals across the world, attracting the very best talent in the industry.
Together beyond standards.
Position Purpose:
Overall duty of this position is to oversee the purchasing and procurement processes with the goal of optimizing spending and process efficiency throughout the organization. The Purchasing and Procurement Specialist interacts and works closely with other members of the finance organization, regional business unit leadership, category managers, vendors and the global purchasing group based in Spain.
Due to the nature of this position, infrequent travel within Canada, the US and Europe may be required.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Partners with the individual business units and operations to support and execute savings initiatives, supplier management, insurance, contractors and vehicle/facility leases; working together to identify, support and execute efficiencies for the Canadian business unit.
• Assists in the optimization of spending by coordinating the strategic consolidation of vendors, price negotiations and vendor evaluations.
• Manages the evaluation and selection of new suppliers, manages the development of existing suppliers and oversees the overall supplier management; reviewing and approving all new vendor setup requests as required.
• Manages the setup and maintenance of data and process flows within the purchasing software.
• Tracks and reports on required savings; uses those metrics to plan further savings initiatives and strategies.
• Updates and maintains all purchasing and procurement-related policies.
• Manages and oversees the purchasing process including the automated workflows for purchase orders; ensuring compliance with signing level authorities.
• Monitors the implementation and control of standardized processes and workflows across operation business units, departments and legal entities in the country.
• Identifies and monitors system improvements that create improved efficiency and effectiveness of purchasing and procurement processes across the country.
• Develops the necessary information related to the suppliers involved in Applus projects (contact details, drawings, costs, specs, capacity, management, quality and logistics capacity, human rights respects, environmental rules respects, etc.)
• Builds relationships with key business partners in Business Operations, IT, Accounting, Human Resources and Financial Operations ensuring cooperation among all the groups.
• Acts as change agent to lead significant purchasing and procurement projects that impact other departments.
• Ensures and monitors compliance with applicable corporate policies.
• Adheres to organizational policies and procedures, including but not limited to Applus Code of Ethics and Confidentiality Agreements.
• Other duties may be assigned as deemed necessary.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Firmly adheres to the values and ethics of Applus. Exhibits honesty, discretion, confidentiality, and sound judgment.
• Strong functional knowledge of procurement and purchasing processes.
• General knowledge of procurement and purchasing strategies.
• Analytical capabilities for procurement needs assessment and solutions identification for savings that positively impact operations.
• Excellent customer service focus, ability to quickly build strong working relationships with business partners and colleagues.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills matched with the ability to negotiate and build relationships with key stakeholders.
• A sense of urgency, good attention to detail, excellent organizational and analytical skills, pragmatic, eager to learn.
• Have the ability to establish and maintain effective and professional relationships with other management staff, employees, and the general public.
• Adapt in a fast-paced environment with the ability to manage competing priorities and multi-task with minimal supervision.
• Ability to problem solve including identifying issues and finding a resolution in a timely manner.
• Ability to excel in a team environment.
• Strong computer skills in MS Office and other software applications.

Education and Work Experience:

• University degree in Business, Accounting, Supply Chain Management, Engineering or a related field would be an asset.
• Minimum of five years’ experience in a similar position, including experience with and a strong understanding of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and purchasing systems, preferably SAP and Ariba.
• SAP ARIVA experience is an asset.
• Strong industry knowledge of NDE is an asset.
• Equivalent industry experience combined with other formal training and accreditations may be accepted.

Working Conditions:

• The physical environment requires the employee to work inside an office environment, protected from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes.
• The work is primarily sedentary.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.
• Work outside of normal business hours will be occasionally required.
• Overtime required during the week and weekend with work volume.
• Ability to be flexible with work schedules and respond to requests without advance warning or notification.
• Occasional to frequent travel will be required within Canada.

We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from all qualified individuals. We are committed to providing a diverse and inclusive work environment where every employee feels valued and respected. We will consider accessibility accommodations to applicants upon request.

• Partners with the individual business units and operations to support and execute savings initiatives, supplier management, insurance, contractors and vehicle/facility leases; working together to identify, support and execute efficiencies for the Canadian business unit.
• Assists in the optimization of spending by coordinating the strategic consolidation of vendors, price negotiations and vendor evaluations.
• Manages the evaluation and selection of new suppliers, manages the development of existing suppliers and oversees the overall supplier management; reviewing and approving all new vendor setup requests as required.
• Manages the setup and maintenance of data and process flows within the purchasing software.
• Tracks and reports on required savings; uses those metrics to plan further savings initiatives and strategies.
• Updates and maintains all purchasing and procurement-related policies.
• Manages and oversees the purchasing process including the automated workflows for purchase orders; ensuring compliance with signing level authorities.
• Monitors the implementation and control of standardized processes and workflows across operation business units, departments and legal entities in the country.
• Identifies and monitors system improvements that create improved efficiency and effectiveness of purchasing and procurement processes across the country.
• Develops the necessary information related to the suppliers involved in Applus projects (contact details, drawings, costs, specs, capacity, management, quality and logistics capacity, human rights respects, environmental rules respects, etc.)
• Builds relationships with key business partners in Business Operations, IT, Accounting, Human Resources and Financial Operations ensuring cooperation among all the groups.
• Acts as change agent to lead significant purchasing and procurement projects that impact other departments.
• Ensures and monitors compliance with applicable corporate policies.
• Adheres to organizational policies and procedures, including but not limited to Applus Code of Ethics and Confidentiality Agreements.
• Other duties may be assigned as deemed necessary