Senior Procurement Specialist – Job Description

• Assisting with reviewing and redesigning category procurement strategies as required
• Steering/contributing to key negotiations with vendors
• Proposing and assisting with implementing cost reduction strategies
• Assisting with recommending sourcing opportunities for short-term and long-term
• Analyzing the current vendor expenditures and landscape/market for assigned categories/sub-categories of spend
• Enhancing service, quality, cost, lead time, value and risk by driving strategic supplier selection
• Developing effective relationships with assigned categories, end-user departments, suppliers and continually improving the supply base structure to leverage spend and ensure goods/services are made available within schedule
• Monitoring and improving metrics to drive supplier performance, risk assessment savings and development initiatives for overall spend categories
• Pursuing improved service levels and total cost of ownerships savings by developing and maintaining lists of qualified bidders for goods and services
• Providing guidance to various end-user departments regarding commercial, financial and contractual matters
• Obtaining formal and informal tenders/proposals for goods/services, including complex services and commodities, evaluating the bid responses and preparing subjective and qualitative commercial analysis
• Conducting meetings with vendors regarding vendor performance, locating and developing alternate sources of supply for goods/services
• Negotiating or chairing negotiations to establish acceptable pricing and terms for contracts, contract changes, resolving claims or other issues with vendors, and preparing commercial analysis where required and processing purchase order amendments for approval

Senior Procurement Specialist – Mandatory Skills

• Must have experience working in a Public Sector Procurement environment
• Knowledge and experience in purchasing, sales, category management, contract administration principles, the procurement process and related tender/proposal evaluation and award activities
• Sound knowledge of leading supply management/strategic sourcing practices; contract and tendering law; techniques for negotiating and expediting goods/services contracts; and knowledge of and ability to prepare commercial contract documents.
• Includes strong proficiency of various competitive procurement vehicles such as ACAN’s, RFI’s, RFB’s, RFP’s, NRFP’s and MSA’s.
• Knowledge of sources of supply, current prices for goods/services and related market trends; commodities and futures markets; materials management; and of applicable customs charges and sales taxes
• Strong proficiency in MS Word, Excel, with working knowledge of relevant computer-based materials management systems
• Must have well-developed organizational, administrative, interpersonal, demonstrated analytical, problem solving, and presentation skills
• Highly developed reading comprehension and written communication skills are essential
• Must have a valid non-probationary class "G” driving license and a personal vehicle for use in visits to vendors and properties
• Must have or rapidly acquire a comprehensive knowledge of the Ontario Human Rights Code and related Orders including disability accommodation and accessibility requirements pertaining to passengers and employees
• University Degree, or College Diploma in a related discipline, or a combination of education, training, and experience deemed to be equivalent

Senior Procurement Specialist – Nice to Have Skills

• Professional purchasing accreditation or active enrollment with a professional body working towards certification is an asset