Location: Markham, Ontario or Winnipeg, Manitoba | Employment: Full-time, salaried
Position overview
Factory Direct Lighting Ltd. (FDL) is a Canadian-owned lighting supplier expanding its architectural and project-lighting offering alongside its established LED range. We are looking for a hands-on lighting specialist who can understand a project requirement, discuss it confidently with the specification team, identify suitable products and source them from manufacturers at competitive landed costs.
Working with specification writers, electrical engineers, architects, designers, manufacturers and our internal team, you will turn drawings and product requirements into supported recommendations and accurate quotation inputs. Your work will cover both customer projects and products FDL wants to add to its range.
Key responsibilities1. Technical specification and project review
· Review lighting drawings, reflected ceiling plans, fixture schedules, specifications and revisions; clarify missing information with the customer or project team.
· Discuss product requirements and proposed alternatives with specification writers, electrical engineers, architects and designers, supporting the account owner.
· Assess fixture types, quantities, wattage, light output, CCT, colour rendering, optics, dimensions, mounting, finishes, controls and relevant application requirements.
· Use Bluebeam Revu or equivalent software for fixture counts, drawing markups and revision checks; prepare organized schedules and quotation inputs in Excel.
· Compare existing and sourced products with the specification. Document differences and obtain the appropriate acceptance before presenting an alternative as suitable.
· Use CRM systems, AI tools and other software to prepare quotations and technical specification documents efficiently and accurately, validating outputs against approved manufacturer data and project requirements.
2. Product sourcing and manufacturer relationships
· Find suitable products beyond the current FDL catalogue through existing and new manufacturers, primarily in China and other international markets.
· Build direct relationships with manufacturers and follow through on technical questions, quotations, samples, customization and supply commitments.
· Negotiate pricing, minimum order quantities, lead times, payment terms and warranty support within approved authority.
· Compare landed costs, product suitability, supplier capability and supply risks; recommend the best overall option rather than the lowest factory price alone.
3. Product approvals and technical documentation
· Apply working knowledge of the Canadian Electrical Code, applicable provincial requirements and relevant building or energy-code provisions when reviewing lighting products and applications.
· Check recognized Canadian product approvals, including applicable CSA, cUL or cETL markings, against the exact luminaire model and configuration. Do not rely solely on component certificates or supplier assurances.
· Review datasheets, photometric information, test reports, installation instructions and warranty documents; distinguish safety approvals from DLC qualification and project-specific requirements.
· Identify documentation or approval gaps and coordinate resolution with manufacturers, project professionals and certification bodies where needed. Escalate matters beyond your expertise or authority.
4. New products and project-specific solutions
· Identify practical additions to FDL's range, including architectural linear fixtures, sconces, track lighting, decorative products and other project requirements.
· Coordinate samples, product reviews and agreed customization with manufacturers; identify approval, cost and lead-time implications before commitment.
· Maintain accurate product records covering specifications, approval evidence, pricing, options, supplier contacts, warranty and lead times.
· Support new-product introductions by providing verified technical and commercial information to Sales, Operations and Marketing; help assess opportunities to consolidate overlapping products.
5. Internal technical support and team development
· Give Sales and Customer Service practical answers on product suitability, alternatives, accessories, compatibility and sourcing for live quotations.
· Prepare comparison sheets and organized technical submission packages so proposed products can be reviewed efficiently.
· Coach internal team members on drawing review, product selection, supplier questions and quotation checks, using actual project examples.
· Develop simple, reusable sourcing and review templates; help resolve supplier-related product issues while respecting existing account, distributor and agency relationships.
Role boundaries
This is a hands-on technical and sourcing position, not a people-management, installation or independent engineering-design role. Sales retains account ownership and closing responsibility; management approves purchasing commitments and commercial exceptions. Work requiring professional engineering approval is referred to appropriately qualified professionals.
Qualifications and experienceEssential
· At least three years of directly relevant commercial or architectural lighting experience, with the ability to independently review requirements and recommend products. General purchasing or electrical-product experience alone is not sufficient.
· Strong practical knowledge of luminaires, LED drivers, dimming and controls compatibility, photometric information and lighting applications.
· Demonstrated experience discussing technical requirements with specifiers, electrical engineers, architects or designers.
· Working knowledge of Canadian lighting product approvals and applicable code requirements, including how to verify evidence and recognize when further review is needed.
· Hands-on experience sourcing or evaluating lighting products, dealing directly with manufacturers and negotiating pricing or supply terms.
· Proficiency in Bluebeam Revu or an equivalent digital drawing/takeoff tool, plus strong Excel skills and working proficiency in Word and Outlook.
· Clear written and verbal communication, sound commercial judgment, attention to detail and the ability to manage several requirements independently.
Preferred, not mandatory
· Experience with overseas manufacturers, particularly China, and project-specific or customized lighting. Established supplier relationships are an asset.
· Experience with DIALux or AGi32, or interpreting lighting calculation reports. Advanced design-software expertise is not required.
· A relevant electrical/electronics technology diploma, lighting qualification or equivalent practical experience; C.E.T., C.Tech. or a relevant lighting credential is an asset.
Key performance expectations
· Technically supported product recommendations and complete quotation inputs delivered by agreed dates.
· Fewer avoidable quotation errors, missing documents and repeated supplier clarification requests.
· Documented improvements in landed cost and supplier terms without compromising required performance, approval evidence or reliability.
· Useful additions to the product range and manufacturer network, with complete supporting information.
· Stronger product and project-quotation capability within Sales and Customer Service.
What we offer
A salaried, non-commission role with direct influence on FDL's product range and project capability. You will work on varied commercial, architectural and multi-residential requirements, build manufacturer relationships and see your recommendations move into real quotations and supply decisions. This is an opportunity to contribute within a growing business without taking on a department-management remit.
Ideal candidate
You know lighting well enough to ask the right questions of a specifier and a manufacturer, recognize a technical or approval gap, and negotiate a practical supply solution. You can turn that work into clear information the sales team can use - and help colleagues become better at the next project.
