Lead Purchasing Officer

uottawa; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 76,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Ottawa is seeking a Procurement professional to manage all steps of requisitions and purchase orders up to $100K for its units, ensuring compliant sourcing, pricing, and payment terms.

You will coordinate with Finance and Procurement Services, verify invoices, manage exceptions, and support internal clients in planning and executing strategic procurement plans.

Qualifications

• Supply Chain Management diploma, certification, or 3+ years in a similar procurement role.
• Minimum 3 years in customer service.
• Knowledge of procurement principles, policies, and laws.
• Familiarity with University procurement policies and Canadian tax/regulations.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage shifting priorities.
• Experience purchasing supplies and scientific equipment is an asset.
• Fluent in English and French (oral and written).

Responsibilities

• Administer and approve requisitions and purchase orders up to $100K.
• Validate sourcing, pricing, terms, and compliance with policies.
• Monitor derogations and approvals for up to $100K.
• Collaborate with Procurement and Finance to optimize processes.
• Verify and reconcile supplier invoices and resolve issues.

Skills

Procurement knowledge

Customer service

Policy interpretation

Communication skills

Bilingual English/French

Education

Supply Chain Diploma/Certification

Job description

Job Type: Employee

Salary Grade: SSUO Grade 09

Salary Range: $76,104.00 - $96,135.00

Hours per week: 35

Campus: 141 Louis-Pasteur

Union Affiliation: SSUO

# of Open Positions: 1

Job Family: Procurement

Posting Reason: Replacement of a regular position

Date Posted (YYYY/MM/DD): 2026/08/13

Position Purpose

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Procurement, the incumbent supports all purchasing requests of goods and services for business units, in compliance with all relevant policies in order to support academic and research activities. Acts as a resource person for members of the faculty or service regarding procurement processes. Responsible for the timely purchasing of goods and services of the business unit, up to $100K. Oversee cost effectiveness, quality, expenses eligibility and compliance with policies and procedures. Facilitates all contracts and supplier relations management in collaboration with Finance and Procurement Services.

In this role, your responsibilities will include:

• Administer and manage all the steps to approve requisitions and purchase orders up to $100K for their unit, validating the sourcing process, the financial information, the shipping, and payment terms, determining the best use of public funds. Make final recommendations on the vendor, pricing, conditions, warranties, deliveries in compliance with Policy 36 approval authority schedule and granting agencies rules and regulations.
• Control, analyze and approve derogations up to $100K for their unit to proactively ensure fair, responsible, and transparent procurement process. Accountable to monitor, review and approve requests for transgressions up to $100K. Collaborate with Procurement and Finance as required to develop proactive processes to prevent deviations from the procurement process.
• Engage with clients to plan and understand business requirements, Develop, recommend and implement strategic procurement plans in collaboration with Supply Chain and Procurement sectors, offering consistent and optimal service level.
• Verify, reconcile, and approve supplier invoices in accordance with established policies and procedures. Follows up with purchasing irregularities, such as items or deliverable missing when products are received upon delivery, damaged merchandise, and incorrectly applied taxes.
• Assist with the onboarding of new administrative personnel to guide and assist with procurement requirements.

What you will bring:

• Supply Chain Management Diploma, Certification, or minimum of three (3) years of demonstrated experience in a similar role.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in customer service.
• Knowledge of procurement principles and practices.
• Knowledge of University procurement policies and procedures, and of procurement legislation.
• Knowledge of tax and customs legislation and regulations.
• Ability to work under pressure and adapt to shifting priorities.
• Experience purchasing supplies and scientific equipment an asset.
• Knowledge of rules and practices in the safe transportation and handling of dangerous goods an asset.
• Knowledge of federal and provincial legislation on occupational health and safety, environmental protection and the transportation of dangerous goods an asset.
• Experience interpreting, explaining, and applying policies and regulations.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Experience using computer systems and software.
• Bilingualism - English and French (oral and written).

Key Competencies at uOttawa:

• Planning: Organize in time a series of actions or events in order to realize an objective or a project. Plan and organize own work and priorities in regular daily activities.
• Initiative: Demonstrate creativity and initiative to suggest improvements and encourage positive results. Is proactive and self-starting. Show availability and willingness to go above and beyond whenever it is possible.
• Client Service Orientation: Help or serve others to meet their needs. This implies anticipating and identifying the needs of internal and external clients and finding solutions on how to meet them.
• Teamwork and Cooperation: Cooperate and work well with other members of the team to reach common goal(s). Accept and give constructive feedback. Able to adjust own behaviour to reach the goals of the team.

Other Details

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The University of Ottawa embraces diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We are passionate about our people and committed to employment equity. We foster a culture of respect, teamwork and inclusion, where collaboration, innovation, and creativity fuel our quest for research and teaching excellence. While all qualified persons are invited to apply, we welcome applications from