Senior Buyer & Planner at Ballard Power Systems

The Senior Planner & Buyer plays a critical role in ensuring that Customer Care service operations have the right parts, materials, services required to support commercial fuel-cell customers globally. This role leads end-to-end planning, procurement, and inventory strategies that optimize service levels, improve response times, and support the company’s commitment to customer centricity.

The Senior Planner & Buyer collaborates cross-functionally with Supply Chain, Engineering, Field Service, Quality, Commercial Operations, and the regional Customer Care operations to forecast demand, manage supplier relationships, and execute sourcing activities that support both customer commitments and organizational objectives. This role requires strong analytical skills, operational discipline, and the ability to manage complex and changing priorities.

Responsibilities

Planning & Forecasting

• Develop and maintain material forecasts for Customer Care service parts based on installed base, service requirements, historical consumption, and commercial growth plans.
• Analyze demand patterns and translate insights into actionable supply plans.
• Work closely with Field Service, Reliability and Engineering to anticipate future part requirements and lifecycle changes (EOL, redesigns, upgrades).
• Support Customer Care’s Service Center work order execution
• Monitor performance indicators (fill rate, backorders, forecast accuracy) and drive continuous improvements.
  
  
  

Procurement & Supplier Management

• Source, negotiate, and procure service parts, replacement components, and consumables to support global fuel cell customers.
• Maintain strategic supplier relationships to ensure on-time delivery, quality compliance, and cost competitiveness.
• Lead supplier performance reviews and drive corrective actions as required.
• Manage warranty charge back process.
  
  
  

Inventory & Logistics Management

• Optimize service parts inventory levels to balance availability, risk, and cost.
• Identify and mitigate supply constraints, shortages, and disruptions.
• Collaborate with Logistics and Distribution to ensure timely shipment and delivery of critical materials.
• Oversee cycle counts, slow-moving inventory analysis, and replenishment strategies.
  
  
  

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Customer Care leadership to align parts readiness with customer service commitments and commercial priorities.
• Coordinate with Service Engineering on technical changes, BOM updates, and product lifecycle impacts.
• Work with Finance to support budgeting, cost tracking, and inventory valuation.
• Work with Supply Chain to execute on the Procurement & Supplier Management (above)
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives aimed at increasing operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
• Data & Systems Management
• Utilize ERP/MRP systems to create purchase orders, manage planning parameters, and maintain master data accuracy.
• Generate performance reports and dashboards to communicate parts availability, risks, and trends.
• Support system upgrades, data audits, and process documentation.
  
  
  

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations Management, or a related discipline.
• 6+ years of planning, buying, or supply chain experience, preferably in high-tech, energy, automotive, or manufacturing sectors.
• Experience supporting service or aftermarket operations is a strong asset.
• Strong understanding of MRP/ERP systems (e.g., Oracle, SAP, Microsoft Dynamics).
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex supply chains with long lead times and technical parts.
• Proven negotiation, supplier management, and contract administration skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment with evolving priorities.
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate across teams and levels.
  
  
  

The salary range for this position is $75,000 – $93,000 annually, determined based on skills, experience, education, and internal equity.

Our Values

Listen & Deliver | Quality. Always. | Inspire Excellence | Row Together | Own It

Ballard values diversity in the workplace and is committed to Employment Equity. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates.