Senior Buyer, Global Sourcing & Import Procurement

Global Industrial

For over 70 years Global Industrial has been an industry leader providing private label and brand name industrial equipment and supplies to businesses throughout North America.

We carry over one million industrial, material handling and business products that are sold through our website, corporate sales people and full color catalogs. We are constantly increasing our product offerings to meet the diverse and changing needs of our customers. Our customers include small to large corporations, institutions, government agencies and consumers across North America.

Key Responsibilities

Global Sourcing & Procurement
• Manage end-to-end purchasing activities for imported Exclusive Brand and private-label product lines sourced from Asian suppliers 
• Execute and manage purchase orders to support inventory targets, customer demand, and service-level objectives 
• Analyze system-generated and manual purchasing requirements to ensure timely replenishment and order placement 
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with overseas factories, vendors, and supplier partners 
• Contact suppliers to obtain quotations, lead time updates, product cross-references, and delivery information 
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, lead times, MOQs, and freight-related efficiencies to improve margins and supply continuity 
• Drive supplier improvement initiatives related to cost, quality, delivery performance, and lead-time reduction 
• Monitor supplier production schedules and proactively address supply risks, delays, shortages, and inventory impacts 
Inventory & Supply Chain Coordination
• Coordinate stock transfers and inventory balancing activities with U.S. distribution centers to support service levels and inventory optimization across North American operations 
• Collaborate closely with Inventory Planning, Logistics, Operations, and U.S.-based product teams to support replenishment and forecasting activities 
• Coordinate with freight forwarders, customs brokers, and logistics providers to ensure efficient inbound import operations 
• Analyze purchasing trends, landed costs, tariffs, freight trends, and supply chain impacts to support strategic purchasing decisions 
• Resolve supplier, shipment, inventory, and transfer-related issues in a timely and professional manner 
• Resolve purchasing-related issues including delivery delays, supplier invoice discrepancies, damaged, and inventory variances 
Supplier Performance & Process Improvement
• Track and evaluate supplier performance, including on-time delivery, quality, responsiveness, and cost competitiveness 
• Maintain accurate and auditable purchasing records, supplier files, pricing data, catalogs, and documentation within ERP and procurement systems 
• Maintain supplier performance history, vendor information, and procurement documentation to support reporting and sourcing decisions 
• Support continuous improvement and automation initiatives related to purchasing systems, reporting tools, and procurement workflows 
• Participate in supplier reviews, factory visits, and international sourcing trips as required 
• Support initiatives focused on procurement process improvements, inventory optimization, and supplier performance enhancement 

Competencies and skills

Qualifications: 
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business Administration, Operations, Finance, or a related field preferred 
• 5–10+ years of experience in purchasing, global sourcing, or import procurement within distribution, wholesale, manufacturing, retail, or industrial environments 
• Proven experience working directly with Asian factories and international suppliers 
• Strong understanding of direct-import procurement and global supply chain operations 
• Demonstrated success negotiating pricing, supplier agreements, lead times, and commercial terms 
• Experience coordinating inventory replenishment and intercompany stock transfers across distribution networks 
• Knowledge of international logistics, freight operations, customs procedures, tariffs, and Incoterms 
• Strong analytical, strategic planning, and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment 
• Proficient in PC applications to include MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Teams, Power BI, and relevant planning engines (Blue Ridge, JDA, Oracle, SAP)
• Exceptional organizational skills with strong attention to detail and follow-through 
• Excellent communication, negotiation, collaboration, and supplier relationship management skills 
• High level of initiative, accountability, and sense of urgency 
• Ability and willingness to travel internationally as required 
Preferred Experience
• Industrial, commercial, or technical product categories 
• Experience with ERP - SAP, Oracle
• Experience with planning/replenishment software –Blue Ridge, Oracle, etc.
• Direct-import container programs and overseas sourcing models 
• Exclusive Brand or private-label sourcing environments 
• Distribution, wholesale, or multi-branch business operations 
• Managing high-SKU purchasing portfolios in fast-paced environments 
• Experience supporting cross-border inventory transfers between Canadian and U.S. distribution centers 

EEO/AA Statement

Global Industrial provides equal employment opportunities to all employee and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absences, compensation and training.