Electrical Distribution Buyer

For more than a century, Electrozad has been Ontario’s trusted electrical distributor—delivering reliable products, services and solutions for commercial, industrial, and contractor applications.

Sesco (founded 1922) established a strong presence across Central & Eastern Ontario, while Electrozad (founded 1955) became the leading supplier in Southwestern Ontario. From day one, both shared a commitment to quality, reliability and complete electrical & automation solutions.

We are a proud member of the Sonepar Group, the world's largest privately-held electrical distributor. The Sonepar Group is present in more than 40 countries with over 45,000 employees. In Canada, we are represented by 6 locally managed electrical and industrial distributors and have over 110 locations with coverage in 9 provinces.

To explore and learn more about Sonepar opportunities, please visit www.career.sonepar.com

What’s In It For You?

• You will be joining a market leader with over 40 years of experience to help you elevate your potential.
• You will be working for the world's #1 privately held business to business distributor of electrical products and related solutions.
• A chance to get involved in the forever growing electrical industry.
• We house the largest inventory to better service our customers and deliver on sales commitments.
• An opportunity for career development across many business departments within our organization.

Job Summary - Electrical Distribution Buyer
Reporting directly to the Purchasing Manager, this position is accountable for the effective procurement of materials, ensuring timely purchase order placement and delivery to meet customer requirements while maintaining inventory levels in accordance with approved policies and targets.

Roles and Responsibilities

1. Procurement & Purchasing

• • Purchase electrical products such as wire & cable, panels, switchgear, breakers, lighting, controls, automation components, and MRO items
  • Create and manage purchase orders in line with demand forecasts, inventory targets, and customer commitments
  • Ensure all purchases meet technical specifications, quality standards, and compliance requirements

2. Supplier & Vendor Management

• • Develop and maintain strong relationships with manufacturers, distributors, and authorized suppliers
  • Monitor supplier performance (on-time delivery, fill rates, quality, responsiveness)
  • Identify alternative or secondary suppliers to reduce risk and improve supply continuity
  • Participate in Business Reviews

3. Inventory Management & Forecasting

• • Monitor inventory levels to prevent stockouts, excess inventory, and obsolescence
  • Collaborate with sales and operations to forecast demand based on historical trends, projects, and market conditions
  • Optimize stock levels across fast-moving, slow-moving, and project-based items
  • Participate in obsolescence reviews

4. Cost Control & Financial Responsibility

• • Support margin targets
  • Understand cost drivers including pricing trends, freight, tariffs, currency, and supplier increases
  • Work closely with Pricing Team to validate supplier pricing, credits, rebates, and chargebacks

5. Product Knowledge & Technical Understanding

• • Maintain strong knowledge of electrical products, manufacturers, specifications, and applications
  • Stay current on industry standards, codes, and regulations (e.g., CSA, UL, NEC, IEC where applicable)
  • Participate in product training, supplier updates, and technical briefings

6. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• • Work closely with sales teams to support customer requirements, quotes, and project timelines
  • Coordinate with warehouse, logistics, and operations teams to ensure smooth material flow
  • Support customer service by resolving supply issues, backorders, and delivery delays
  • Communicate clearly with internal stakeholders regarding lead times, shortages, and substitutions

7. Supply Chain Risk Management

• • Proactively manage supply chain disruptions, long lead times, and constrained materials
  • Develop contingency plans for critical or high-risk electrical components
  • Track market conditions impacting electrical supply (manufacturer capacity, global shortages, regulatory changes)

8. Systems, Data & Reporting

• • Use ERP or purchasing systems to manage orders, inventory, pricing, and supplier data
  • Analyze purchasing and inventory reports to drive informed decisions
  • Maintain accurate records, part numbers, costs, and supplier documentation
  • Support audits and compliance reviews as required

9. Continuous Improvement

• • Identify opportunities to improve purchasing efficiency, accuracy, and responsiveness
  • Support process improvements in inventory planning, vendor onboarding, and order management
  • Participate in strategic sourcing or category management initiatives

Requirements

• Post secondary courses in Purchasing, Supply Chain Management, Business Studies
• Minimum 3 years related experience.
• Strong analytical skills
• Solid understanding of electrical distribution products and markets
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment

Benefits & Perks:

We offer a competitive salary, plus a full set of benefits, including:

• Flexible benefits program allowing you to choose from options that best fit you and your dependents’ needs. Benefit options include: Medical, Dental, Vision, Health Spending Account & RRSP matching. 
• Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement, Employee Discounts and a career path.
• Regardless of your benefits program, you will receive company paid Life Insurance, and employee paid disability.

More information on Electrozad:

• Website: https://www.electrozad.com/careers
• Facebook
• LinkedIn

Sonepar places the planet and diversity and inclusion at the core of its vision driving our business ethos.

Today, Sonepar is the leading distributor of energy-efficient products, pioneering the energy transition and making sustainability a priority. At Sonepar, we firmly believe that every action is crucial in safeguarding the environment, driving our commitment to a more sustainable future. We have accelerated our own transition to efficient generation and use of electrical energy across our business and champion the innovation of sustainable solutions in the market.

This commitment is tangible in our detailed Global CSR report, to learn more please visit: https://www.sonepar.com/en/commitments/sustainability.

Sonepar has been recognized as a Diversity Leader by the Financial Times’ 2024 Diversity Leaders ranking and was awarded GEEIS Certification in 2022. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, welcoming submissions from all candidates. We believe in creating a work environment where everyone can feel safe, use their voice, and know that they belong. Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) is a central focus of our global, strategic impact plan. We value diversity and inclusion in the workplace because it allows us to better meet the needs of the communities we serve. It helps us foster greater creativity, breadth of experience, and it’s essential to our success as an organization. All qualified individuals, regardless of race, ethnic or national origin, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, neurodiversity, disability status, gender identity, veteran status or any other aspect which makes them unique are encouraged to apply.

For more information about our Inclusion and Diversity initiatives, please visit: https://www.sonepar.com/en/commitments/diversity-and-inclusion.

Sonepar is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes submissions from all candidates. Accommodation is available to all applicants upon request. If selected for an interview, please advise the Sonepar representative of your accommodation needs at that time. We will work with all applicants to accommodate their accessibility needs.

Next steps:

We are interested in knowing more about you. Start an exciting new career and enjoy a number of benefits by applying online. While we are very grateful for your interest in joining the team, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.