IT Procurement Category Lead

Ontario Cannabis Store; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in Ontario is seeking an IT Procurement Category Lead to manage the procurement lifecycle for high-value projects. This role involves strategic sourcing, vendor management, and compliance with procurement policies. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in procurement and excellent negotiation skills, contributing to the company's goals while ensuring transparency and efficiency in procurement processes.

Qualifications

• 3-4 years in a strategic sourcing and/or vendor management role.
• Knowledge of strategic sourcing and advanced procurement concepts.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end procurement process for high-value projects.
• Manage contract negotiations and vendor selection.
• Drive continuous process improvements in procurement practices.

Skills

Negotiation

Problem Solving

Interpersonal Skills

Education

Post-Secondary education in business/commerce

Tools

MS Office

ServiceNow

Job description

About Us

The Ontario Cannabis Store provides safe, responsible access to recreational cannabis for adults 19 and older. We operate the sole legal online store for recreational cannabis in Ontario and are the provincial wholesaler of cannabis for private retail stores.

Working at the OCS is a unique opportunity to be part of an agile start-up in a ground-breaking new industry. We’re a diverse team passionate about delivering a great customer experience, working together with mutual respect and building value out of our differences. We’re an inclusive organization that understands that delivering great results comes out of ensuring every voice is heard.

About the Role

We are seeking an IT Procurement Category Lead to join our team. In this role, you will lead and manage the full procurement lifecycle for projects of varying sizes, typically focusing on medium to large initiatives that are high in cost and complexity.

Acting as a trusted advisor, you will build strong client relationships and leverage your expertise to develop and execute strategic sourcing strategies. You will work with leadership, manage cross-functional procurement projects, and represent the procurement team in collaborative initiatives.

In this role, you will drive innovative solutions while ensuring compliance with policies, directives, and legislation. Additionally, you may mentor team members, lead enterprise-level programs, and champion continuous improvement within the Strategic Procurement function.

About Your Day

• Lead the end-to-end procurement process for high-value and complex projects, ensuring compliance with OCS procurement policies, public procurement laws, and regulations.
• Responsible for planning, market research, developing RFx documents, selecting vendors, and negotiating contracts.
• Build and manage IT procurement strategies tailored to specific project needs, guiding internal stakeholders through planning, execution, and evaluation stages.
• Analyze data, propose options, and align projects with OCS objectives for optimal quality and value outcomes.
• Develop strong partnerships with internal business leaders to ensure procurement goals meet broader business objectives, facilitating project kick-offs and leading training sessions to build organizational procurement capabilities.
• Prepare and manage complex RFx documents, overseeing vendor selection and ensuring evaluation criteria are transparent and fair.
• Manage contract negotiations to secure terms aligned with OCS’s needs.
• Conduct ongoing market research to identify potential vendors, new technologies, and innovative solutions to enhance OCS’s service delivery.
• Drive continuous process improvements to ensure procurement practices remain cost-effective and efficient while meeting the evolving needs of the business.
• Promote compliance and transparency throughout the procurement lifecycle, ensuring adherence to OCS standards and policies at all levels.

About You

• Post-Secondary education in business/commerce or related field, and/or supporting courses in business/commerce, finance, procurement, supply chain, or other related areas, or a relevant combination of education and experience.
• 3-4 years in a strategic sourcing and/or vendor management role
• Knowledge of strategic sourcing and advanced procurement and strategic sourcing concepts
• Public sector procurement knowledge and experience including appropriate provincial and federal requirements is preferred
• Sound knowledge of or certification in procurement / Supply Chain Management including, but not limited to: SCMAO, CPPB, CPPO, PSPP or equivalent is an asset
• Intermediate MS Office skills
• Conflict resolution, negotiation, facilitation, problem solving, and interpersonal skills
• Proficient in the electronic bidding systems (Merx, Biddingo Bids & Tenders, Jaggear, and others)
• Experience with ServiceNow or other Procurement/Contract Management software is preferred

About the Job

• This position currently offers a hybrid work schedule. The current in office requirement is a minimum of 3 days/week (may be more depending on business needs). The OCS office is located near York Mills and Yonge Street. However, OCS reserves the right to change this policy and its office location at any time.
• City: Toronto, ON
• Employment Type: Permanent, Full- Time
• Required Travel: Rare, usually within the GTA

Compensation

The target hiring range for this position is $90,000- $100,000. Placement in the hiring range range will be based on factors such as market conditions, internal equity, and candidate experience, skills, and qualifications relevant to the role.

We are committed to providing an accessible, equitable and inclusive candidate and employee experience. We provide reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process and in employment. If you require an accommodation please let us know, we will work with you to meet your needs.