Purchasing Specialist

We are looking for a Aircraft Purchasing Specialist to join our team in our Maintenance department. Custom Helicopters Ltd. provides helicopter support to clients for various applications, while providing high-quality services with a commitment to safety, quality, and value.

The Aircraft Purchasing Specialist is responsible for the end-to-end sourcing and purchasing of aircraft parts, components, materials, and services to support maintenance and flight operations. This role serves as a critical internal service partner to Maintenance, Planning, and Operations, ensuring the right part is available in the right location at the right time to support safe, efficient, and reliable operations. The role requires strong purchasing judgment, proactive communication, and effective prioritization to balance operational urgency, inventory strategy, supplier performance, and financial stewardship. The Aircraft Purchasing Specialist is expected to bring strong commercial expertise, new ideas, and continuous improvement thinking to enhance procurement practices across the organization.

Responsibilities:

Procurement & Purchasing:

• Source and purchase aircraft parts, components (including rotables), materials, rentals, and services in a timely and cost-effective manner.
• Generate and manage purchase orders, ensuring appropriate approvals, accurate GL coding, and alignment with operational priorities.
• Request, evaluate, and compare vendor quotations (RFQs) for outright purchases, repairs, and exchanges.
• Assess repair versus replace options and core exchange opportunities, communicating trade-offs related to cost, lead time, and operational impact.
• Provide accurate ETA dates and waybill tracking in WinAir to support maintenance planning and decision-making.

Inventory & Planning:

• Maintain and adjust Min/Max inventory levels based on fleet requirements, maintenance forecasts, and operational demand.
• Plan and execute replenishment activities across all operating bases.
• Support spares kit development, review, and ongoing management.
• Assist with master data creation and maintenance for parts, suppliers, and inventory records.
• Balance inventory availability, service levels, and cost to support operational readiness while minimizing excess stock and expediting.

Supplier & Vendor Management:

• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to negotiate pricing, payment terms, service levels, and freight efficiencies.
• Identify, onboard, and evaluate new vendors, including credit setup and compliance verification.
• Monitor vendor performance and proactively address shortages, backorders, delays, and service issues.
• Resolve warranty claims, quality concerns, and documentation discrepancies in collaboration with internal stakeholders.

Compliance & Documentation:

• Ensure all procurement activities comply with applicable regulations and company policies.
• Validate and maintain regulatory documentation, including Certificates of Conformance, traceability records, and related compliance documentation.
• Maintain accurate and complete records of purchases, contracts, and supplier performance.

Cost Optimization & Analysis:

• Analyze part costs, historical purchasing data, and market trends to identify cost-saving and efficiency opportunities.
• Optimize freight spend by selecting cost-effective shipping methods without compromising delivery timelines.
• Support cost forecasting and budget alignment for maintenance and inventory expenditures.
• Recommend and implement process improvements to enhance procurement efficiency and financial controls.

Operational Continuity & Collaboration:

• Act as a primary point of contact for internal stakeholders on procurement-related matters.
• Proactively manage urgent and AOG procurement requirements to minimize operational disruptions.
• Assess and prioritize competing requests based on safety, operational impact, and business needs.
• Communicate clearly and consistently with Maintenance, Planning, Stores, and Finance regarding availability, constraints, alternatives, and risks.
• Resolve invoice discrepancies and ensure effective coordination between Purchasing and Accounts Payable.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Diploma or degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in procurement, purchasing, or supply chain roles, with demonstrated strength in supplier negotiation, prioritization, and stakeholder communication.
• Experience in regulated, asset-intensive, or operationally complex environments.
• Strong understanding of procurement and inventory management principles.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook) and ERP systems.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

Preferred Assets:

• Supply chain or procurement certification (SCMP, CSCP, CPSM, CPIM).
• Experience managing Min/Max inventory strategies across multiple locations.
• Experience driving process improvement or cost optimization initiatives.
• Aviation, aerospace, or MRO industry experience.

Working Conditions:

• Office-based role with occasional weekend or evening work.
• On-call availability for after-hours emergency procurement (AOG) as needed.
• Valid Driver's License required.

The successful candidate will work at the St. Andrews Hanger.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Benefits:

• Company events
• Company pension
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• On-site parking
• Paid time off
• RRSP match
• Vision care
• Wellness program

Work Location: In person