In 967, as Emperor Reizei took over the throne, Kaneie became Kurodo no to (chief of secretaries to the emperor) instead of FUJIWARA no Kanemichi, who was an older brother of Kaneie born from the same mother, and additionally served as Sa-konoe no chujo (lieutenant general of the Left Office of the Imperial Guards).
康保4年（967年）、冷泉天皇の即位に伴い、同母兄藤原兼通に代わって蔵人頭となり、左近衛中将を兼ねた。