Director - Sourcing

Loblaw Companies Limited; Brampton; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Canadian retail company in Brampton is seeking a Procurement Specialist. The role includes vendor negotiation, managing procurement strategies, and leading diverse teams towards achieving budget targets. The ideal candidate has a strong background in procurement, excellent negotiation skills, and a passion for innovative solutions. The position offers competitive benefits and opportunities for career growth.

Benefits

Comprehensive training

Flexibility in work environment

Competitive benefits

Qualifications

• Demonstrated success in a procurement or merchandising role.
• Passion for buying and confident negotiator.
• Ability to influence internal/external partners.
• Desire to drive innovation and develop costing strategies.
• Strategic attitude with performance objective achievements.

Responsibilities

• Understand procurement needs and evaluate vendors.
• Negotiate with National Brand vendors for costs.
• Initiate and own the vendor Request for Proposal process.
• Provide updates on sourcing strategies and initiatives.

Skills

Procurement success

Negotiation skills

Influencing abilities

Verbal and written communication

Financial competence

Leadership skills

Collaboration skills

Job description

Overview

Come make your difference in communities across Canada, where authenticity, trust and making connections is valued – as we shape the future of Canadian retail, together. Our unique position as one of the country\'s largest employers, coupled with our commitment to positively impact the lives of all Canadians, provides our colleagues a range of opportunities and experiences to help Canadians Live Life Well. At Loblaw Companies Limited, we succeed through collaboration and commitment and set a high bar for ourselves and those around us. Whether you are just starting your career, re-entering the workforce, or looking for a new job, this is where you belong.

Responsibilities

• Meets with Category Directors in Merchandising to understand procurement needs, and to identify and evaluate vendors based on criteria/scorecard to select the best vendor
• Negotiates with National Brand vendors for 1st cost (which includes baseline Over & Above case rates to deliver category 1st cost targets and budget alongside enterprise objectives)
• Works with the Commodity Cost Review team to assess how vendor costs are tracking relative to market trends (using playbook as a guide)
• Initiates and owns the vendor Request for Proposal (RFP) process to source products that align to the category strategy and objectives
• Participates in the Enterprise Joint Business Planning (JBP) process, coordinating with Merchandising teams to plan cost-driven initiatives and annual building blocks
• Shares information with the Merchandising and Control Brand teams on new products available and market trends to inform category strategy and product development
• Serves as first touchpoint with vendors for all 1st cost related troubleshooting
• Develops 1st cost procurement strategies using levers (e.g., commodity driven, RFP) aligned with the category playbook in partnership with merchandising
• Completes negotiations for new and existing products, and collaborates with the Category Director in Merchandising to obtain final decisions on products
• Provides insight and input with new innovative sourcing and procurement opportunities tied to market trends, through research and analysis of the vendor landscape, aiming to improve cost and category strategy (e.g., packaging, CSR opportunities, logistics, production efficiencies)
• Collaborates with category teams for quality-related issues
• Participates in supplier-facing enterprise initiatives
• Accountable for delivering budgeted 1st cost targets
• Works with Procurement Support team on new vendor setup and new items requiring a first cost signoff in the system in collaboration with the Central Data Management (CDM) team to ensure data accuracy
• Collaborates with category teams to source new, sustainable products and vendors by attending industry trade shows and other mechanisms to build best-in-class procurement across Loblaw
• Collaborates with Replenishment and Transport teams to resolve major inventory issues (e.g., over-orders, short shipments)
• Facilitates major vendor stock supply chain issues as needed
• Provides updates on Sourcing strategies and initiatives and raises risks/decisions as required
• Conducts post-mortem analyses on the effectiveness of vendor management and procurement, identifying opportunities for improvement
• Works with the Merchandising team to review performance metrics (Sales, Market Share, Trading & Contribution Margin, Tonnage) and determine actions from a costing and sourcing perspective
• Guides and mentors Sourcing team members and conducts performance reviews
• Building and leading diverse teams that foster a workplace of inclusiveness and belonging

Qualifications

• Have demonstrated success in a procurement or merchandising role
• Demonstrates a passion for buying and is a confident negotiator
• Ability to influence internal/external partners
• Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills
• Desire to drive innovation across the business and develop ongoing costing strategies
• Strategic attitude with a track record of achieving performance objectives
• Demonstrates strong financial competence
• Strong leadership skills
• Proven collaboration skills

Values, Sustainability and Benefits

Our commitment to Sustainability and Social Impact is an essential part of the way we do business. Our approach is based on Environment, Sourcing and Community, and we lead in these areas. Our CORE Values – Care, Ownership, Respect and Excellence – guide decision-making and come to life through our Blue Culture. We offer progressive careers, comprehensive training, flexibility, and other competitive benefits. We are one of Canada’s Top Employers, Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, Canada’s Greenest Employers & Canada’s Top Employers for Young People.

If you are unsure whether your experience matches every requirement above, we encourage you to apply anyway. We are looking for varied perspectives which include diverse experiences that we can add to our team.

We have a long-standing focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. We are committed to creating accessible environments for our colleagues, candidates and customers. Requests for accommodation due to a disability can be made at any stage of application and employment. We encourage candidates to disclose accommodation needs to provide equitable opportunities.

Please Note: Candidates who are 18 years or older are required to complete a criminal background check. Details will be provided through the application process.