Strategic Sourcing Specialist

At Earthscape Play , we create beautiful, innovative custom playground sculptures and structures that inspire children and adults to creatively play. By partnering with some of the most prestigious Landscape Architecture firms in North America, we bring brilliant playground concepts to life. Our award-winning design-build firm is located just outside of Elmira, Ontario in Waterloo Region. Together, our ambitious team designs, engineers, builds, and installs state-of-the-art timber playgrounds that become iconic and well-loved destination spaces. The work environment we've created is positive, productive, fun, and rewarding. To see our one-of-a-kind projects, visit www.earthscapeplay.com. (http://www.earthscapeplay.com.) Summary of the Role : As Earthscape Play expands its manufacturing footprint into the U.S., we are looking for a high-impact Strategic Sourcing Specialist to build our U.S. supplier network from the ground up. In this role, you won't just manage vendors, you will architect the procurement strategy that fuels our next stage of growth. You will identify key partners across vital material categories, negotiate competitive pricing, and secure the quality and scale needed to bring our playgrounds to life. This position begins on-site at our headquarters in Wallenstein, ON, allowing you to immerse yourself in our craft, materials, and production ecosystem, transitioning into a flexible hybrid model as the U.S. network takes shape. Key Responsibilities: Supplier Development & Strategic Sourcing Identify, assess, and onboard U.S. suppliers across key material categories including wood, CNC, metal, hardware, and custom components within required timelines. Develop a robust U.S. supply base that meets Earthscape's quality standards, lead times, and cost competitiveness requirements. Evaluate potential supplier capabilities, capacity, quality systems, and financial stability in collaboration with Manufacturing, Engineering, and Purchasing teams. Cost Competitiveness & Negotiation Evaluate total landed costs, including logistics, tariffs, duties, and freight, to optimize overall supply chain value. Negotiate pricing, payment terms, and supply agreements to achieve target cost structures while ensuring supply security. Analyze and compare Canadian and U.S. supply options to determine optimal sourcing strategies across regions. Supplier Qualification & Transition Coordinate sample requests, supplier audits, and material trials with Engineering and Manufacturing to qualify new suppliers. Establish initial documentation, part specifications, vendor records, and pricing agreements before handing off ongoing procurement. Transition repeatable purchasing activities to the tactical Purchasing team once suppliers are established and validated. Cross-Functional Collaboration Work closely with Operations, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Purchasing to align supplier development with project schedules and expansion timelines. Support supply chain requirements for potential U.S. fabrication partners, specialized trade contractors, and local manufacturing facilities. Maintain clear reporting and visibility on sourcing priorities, progress, risks, and cost savings metrics. Ideal candidates will have the following qualifications: 8-10+ years of experience in cross-border logistics expertise, including USMCA/CUSMA trade agreements, customs, tariffs, and freight. 8-10+ years in strategic sourcing, supplier evaluation, and contract negotiations within manufacturing or custom fabrication. Familiarity with interpreting fabrication & detail drawings. Strong knowledge of sourcing structural timber, architectural metals, hardware, and custom parts. Proven track record of optimizing total landed costs while ensuring supply chain reliability. Regular travel required (typically 1–2 trips per month) across the U.S. to conduct on-site supplier evaluations, quality audits, and manufacturing reviews Strong communication and cross-functional collabo…

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