Purchasing Manager

Conair Group Inc.•Abbotsford, BC

About The Position

Conair is the largest, privately owned, fixed-wing aerial firefighting company in the world, operating a fleet of 70 specialized aircraft to fight forest fires. They have been supporting government agencies globally for over 50 years, with a reputation for providing service excellence and being an industry leader. Conair are aerospace engineering experts, creating 15 different airtanker types and converting hundreds of aircraft into airtankers. They are also aviation maintenance experts, performing repair, maintenance, and overhaul on their fleet. Additionally, they are operators, providing airtankers, crew, and maintenance on contract over fire seasons to government agencies including Canada, the US, Australia, and France. The culture at Conair is built on teamwork, with a commitment to people, safety, and service, protecting the world from wildfires. This full-time permanent Purchasing Manager role will lead the day-to-day procurement function for Conair’s Maintenance, Production, and Flight Operations activities. The role involves overseeing the purchasing team, ensuring timely and cost-effective sourcing of parts, materials, and services that meet technical, regulatory, and operational requirements for aerial firefighting operations.

Requirements

5–10+ years of procurement or supply chain experience within aviation, aerospace, or an MRO environment.
2–5+ years of management or supervisory experience, preferably in aviation or aerospace.
Strong working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and purchasing workflows.
Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with internal stakeholders and suppliers.
High emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and integrity.
Strategic mindset with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced operational environment.
Demonstrated ability to improve processes and build structure within a growing department.
Completion of Grade 12 and post-secondary education in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, or a related discipline.
Must be legally entitled to work in Canada

Nice To Haves

Working knowledge of Ramco ERP/MRP system.
Professional designation (SCMA, APICS/ASCM, CPSM, or equivalent).

Responsibilities

Lead, mentor, and support a team of seven (7) buyers in a highly collaborative environment through coaching, training, and performance management.
Foster a culture of trust, accountability, and open communication.
Promote inclusive leadership, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to lead a female-majority team with respect and confidence.
Support a collaborative, service-oriented culture aligned with Conair’s commitment to safety, quality, and operational excellence.
Oversee end-to-end purchasing activities for all materials, components, consumables, and services required for Maintenance, Production, and Flight Operations.
Work closely with the Director of Supply Chain to establish long-term procurement roadmaps and identify cost-saving opportunities.
Resolve escalated issues related to defective or non-conforming parts, delivery delays, or quality concerns.
Support Aircraft on Ground (AOG) events by guiding the team in fast-paced, time-critical procurement decisions.
Maintain and enhance purchasing policies, procedures, and key performance indicators (KPIs) aligned with long-term business objectives.
Support effective ERP and MRP system utilization by ensuring accurate data entry, purchase order tracking, and inventory alignment.
Identify opportunities for process standardization and improved operational efficiency.
Ensure adherence to aviation industry standards and regulatory requirements for parts procurement and documentation.
Manage day-to-day supplier relationships, ensuring clear communication, accountability, and performance monitoring.
Evaluate existing suppliers and develop new supplier options to strengthen supply chain resilience.
Negotiate pricing, terms, delivery conditions, and long-term agreements within delegated authority.
Collaborate with Quality Assurance, Engineering, and Maintenance teams to ensure supplier compliance with aviation regulatory requirements.
Coordinate closely with Maintenance, Production, Airworthiness, Stores, and Engineering teams to understand priorities and forecast demand.
Participate in cross-functional planning meetings to support maintenance and production schedules and ensure fleet readiness.
Provide purchasing insights, reporting, and recommendations to the Director of Supply Chain.