IT Category Specialist

Raise; Calgary; Hybrid; CAD 71,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

Raise is currently hiring a contract IT Category Specialist in Calgary, hybrid role, paying $34.37–$39.61 per hour on a Oct 1, 2026 – Mar 31, 2027 contract. The role supports the Corporate Services Contracts Team, focusing on indirect IS spend, software, hardware, and telecom.

You will blend hands-on procurement with stakeholder influence, run RFx processes, negotiate awards, manage supplier performance, and help shape how the business approaches technology sourcing.

Qualifications

• University degree and/or designation in Business or Supply Chain Management.
• 3+ years of Supply Chain Management sourcing experience in Information Systems/ technology sourcing.
• Strong relationship-building and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead demand planning for software applications and professional services within assigned spend categories.
• Manage IS project sourcing and run RFx processes for services and materials.
• Own strategic sourcing and tactical acquisition for software, IS hardware, and services.
• Apply SAP, Ariba, and BI Warehouse to track sourcing events.
• Translate business needs into solicitation documents, requirements docs, and evaluation plans.
• Coordinate bid evaluation with clients and vendors through the tendering process.
• Conduct internal and external market research to inform sourcing recommendations.
• Negotiate contract awards and coordinate approvals with delegated decision-makers.
• Manage ongoing supplier performance and relationship management.
• Advise on and help resolve supplier contract disputes.

Skills

Sourcing experience

Vendor management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

University degree in Business or Supply Chain Management

Tools

SAP

Ariba

PowerBI

Job description

IT Category Specialist

• Pay Rate: $34.37 - $39.61/hour, depending on experience
• Contract Length: October 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027
• Location: Calgary (hybrid)

Raise is currently hiring a contract team member on behalf of our client. They’re expanding their team to meet growing needs, making this a unique opportunity to work with an industry leader.

Description

The IT Category Specialist supports our client's Corporate Services Contracts Team, focusing on indirect spend tied to Innalyst, Information Systformation Systems (IS) — software applications, professional services, hardware, SCADA, network projects, and telecom. This person acts as the go-to expert for their assigned spend sub-categories, managing demand planning, sourcing strategy, and vendor relationships across the IS organization.

The role blends hands‑on procurement execution with stakeholder influence — running RFx processes, negotiating contract awards, and managing supplier performance, while also representing IS interests in cross‑functional meetings and shaping how the wider business approaches technology sourcing.

Responsibilities

• Lead demand planning for software applications and professional services within assigned spend categories
• Manage IS project sourcing and run RFx processes for services and materials
• Own strategic sourcing and tactical acquisition for software, IS hardware, and IS professional services
• Apply the client's supply chain systems (SAP, Ariba, BI Warehouse) to implement and track sourcing events
• Translate business needs into solicitation documents, requirements docs, and evaluation plans
• Coordinate bid evaluation with clients and vendors through the tendering process
• Conduct internal and external market research to inform sourcing recommendations
• Negotiate contract awards and coordinate approvals with delegated decision-makers
• Manage ongoing supplier performance and relationship management
• Advise on and help resolve supplier contract disputes
• Lead stakeholder consultations and represent IS interests in internal working groups
• Resolve procurement disputes using knowledge of stakeholders and program needs
• Anticipate and proactively address concerns from IS, operating business units, and suppliers
• Influence sourcing approaches across IS and operating business units
• Support training and guidance on procurement and category management methodology

Qualifications

Minimum

• University degree and/or designation in Business or Supply Chain Management
• 3+ years of Supply Chain Management sourcing experience in Information Systems/technology sourcing and contracting
• Combination of education and experience may be considered
• Strong relationship-building and cross-functional collaboration skills

Preferred

• Experience with SAP/Ariba/PowerBI modules
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills — able to distill concepts for Director-level audiences
• Natural aptitude for technical topics, including terms and conditions for technical materials/services

Looking for meaningful work? We can help

Raise is an established hiring firm with over 65 years of experience. We believe strongly in making the world a better place through work, which is why we’re a certified B Corporation and donate 10% of our profits to charity.

We strive to build teams that reflect the diversity of the communities we work in. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including people from traditionally underrepresented groups such as women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, people identifying as LGBTQ2SI, veterans, and people with visible/nonvisible disabilities.

We have a dedicated webpage for accommodations where you can learn more about what we offer, and request accommodation: https://raise.jobs/accommodations/

In order to submit candidates for roles, our clients will sometimes require personal information to confirm the identity of applicants and their legal status to work. Raise will never ask you for personal or banking information unless you have been selected for a job. If you are ever unsure about the legitimacy of this or another job posting by Raise (or have any other questions), please contact us at [phone] or [e-mail]

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