Purchasing Officer

Original job posting

Responsible for procuring food, beverages, and operational supplies to support hospitality academic programming and retail outlets. This includes managing supplier relationships, optimizing inventory levels, and ensuring procurement compliance and cost efficiency.

Job details

SAIT's School of Hospitality and Tourism stands among the world's leading hospitality schools — CEOWORLD Magazine named us #1 in Canada and #14 globally in 2026. Renowned for our innovative curriculum, strong industry partnerships and unparalleled approach to applied learning, serving up excellence is what we do best. The Opportunity Job classification: A5005 - Purchasing Officer Salary range: $60,000-$72,000. Placement within the range is typically based upon a review of skills, experience, and internal equity. Hours per week: 40 Paid leave: 3 weeks vacation per year Position End Date: December 18, 2026 Deadline to apply: 11:59PM on July 26, 2026 The Purchasing Officer is responsible for the procurement of food, beverages, operational supplies, and related products that support Hospitality & Tourism academic programming, retail outlets, catering, events, and other departmental operations. This role oversees daily purchasing activities, supplier relationships, inventory optimization, sourcing initiatives, cost control, and procurement compliance. The successful candidate will ensure continuity of supply while contributing to operational efficiency and excellence across the department. This position is primarily office-based and requires regular movement between office, warehouse, receiving, and hospitality operations areas. The role involves accurate data entry and analysis, frequent interaction with suppliers and stakeholders, and occasional lifting and handling of inventory, supplies, or equipment up to 50 lbs. The successful candidate must be able to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy and excellent customer service. \n How you'll contribute Manage daily purchasing activities using Adaco, including creating and maintaining purchase orders and ensuring the timely procurement and delivery of food, beverages, operational supplies, equipment, and services required to support academic programming and operational needs. Forecast purchasing requirements based on curriculum schedules, menus, seasonal trends, events, consumption patterns, and operational activities. Monitor inventory levels, turnover, stockouts, spoilage, and inventory accuracy, while maintaining established minimum and maximum inventory levels. Develop and maintain effective supplier relationships, evaluate vendor performance, monitor supplier compliance, participate in RFQ, RFP, and RFI processes, support contract management activities, and maintain a competitive and reliable vendor portfolio. Analyze purchasing, inventory, and cost of goods data to identify cost-saving opportunities through supplier negotiations, volume purchasing, product substitutions, and process improvements. Support budgeting, spend analysis, and operational reporting requirements. Ensure compliance with food safety standards, procurement policies, and supplier specifications. Collaborate closely with faculty, culinary teams, warehouse staff, finance, and leadership to support operational objectives and implement continuous improvements within procurement and warehouse operations. What you bring Minimum Diploma in Supply Chain Management or related field 3-5 years purchasing, procurement, inventory management, and other supply chain experiences Minimal prior experience working with an ERP/Inventory control software system (Adaco preferred) Equivalent combination of experience and education may be considered Skills Strong written and verbal communication skills with a customer-focused approach. Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities. Effective negotiation, influencing, and relationship-building skills. Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage competing priorities. High level of accuracy and attention to detail. Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment. Proficient in computer applications, data analysis, and reporting. Continuous improvement mindset with a focus on process efficiency and operational excellence. \n We sincerely thank all applicants for their interest in this opportunity. We understand how important communication is, and we are committed to following up with every candidate. Please know that each application is thoughtfully reviewed, and you will hear from us either way. Together, we build bold futures At SAIT, we equip you with the resources you need to shape bold futures for yourself and our communities. We offer a comprehensive package including: - Generous time off to pursue other passions and support your wellbeing - SAIT paid premiums for medical, dental, and vision benefits so you, and your family, are well supported - Benefits supporting mental health and access to Greenshield + for virtual therapy at a reduced rate - Access to a Health Spending or Taxable Spending Account - Professional development opportunities through our Free Seat Program, tuition support, access to LinkedIn Learning and discounted Continuing Education & Professional Studies courses - Defined Benefit pension through LAPP to help you retire with confidence - Excellent dining options on campus - Free access to our fitness facilities and group fitness classes And the perks keep on coming! About SAIT At SAIT, we’re building bold futures. We’re a community of tenacious problem-solvers, inventive thinkers, and passionate collaborators who believe in doing work that matters. Named one of Alberta’s Top Employers, we’re driven by a desire to create an impact in our community. If you’re looking for a place where purpose meets possibility, you’ve found it here. We’re committed to community and belonging Community and belonging is essential to achieving SAIT's vision to be a global leader in applied education. We encourage applications from women, Indigenous people, racialized people, people with disabilities, people from gender and sexually diverse communities, and/or people with intersectional identities. Learn more about Community and Belonging at SAIT.

What you’ll do

Responsible for procuring food, beverages, and operational supplies to support hospitality academic programming and retail outlets. This includes managing supplier relationships, optimizing inventory levels, and ensuring procurement compliance and cost efficiency.

Requirements

Requires a minimum diploma in Supply Chain Management or a related field with 3-5 years of experience in procurement and inventory management. Proficiency in ERP/Inventory control software, specifically Adaco, is preferred.

Benefits

• Paid Vacation
• Medical Benefits
• Dental Benefits
• Vision Benefits
• Mental Health Support
• Virtual Therapy
• Health Spending Account
• Taxable Spending Account
• Professional Development
• Tuition Support
• LinkedIn Learning
• Defined Benefit Pension
• On-campus Dining
• Fitness Facilities

Listed skills

• Customer service · Preferred
• Data analysis · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Procurement
• Inventory Management
• Supplier Relationship Management
• Cost Control
• Data Analysis
• Negotiation
• Forecasting
• Budgeting
• Communication
• Problem Solving
• Time Management
• Attention to Detail
• Adaco
• ERP Software
• Customer Service
• Continuous Improvement
• Operational Efficiency
• Event Catering
• Supply Chain
• Inventory Monitoring
• Warehouse Operations
• Mental Health
• Decision Making
• Continuous Improvement Process
• Contract Management
• Data Entry
• Disabilities
• Finance
• Equities
• Food Safety And Sanitation
• Warehousing
• Leadership
• Innovation
• Inventory Control
• Operational Excellence
• Operational Reporting
• Operations
• Purchasing
• Relationship Building
• Request For Proposal
• Supply Chain Management
• Spend Analysis
• Tenacity
• Verbal Communication Skills
• Process Improvement
• Detail Oriented

Job areas

• Logistics
• Hospitality
• Food & Beverage
• Administrative
• Education
• Purchasing Officer
• Purchasing Agent (General)
• Buyers
• Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products
• Buyers and Purchasing Agents